"The urban renewers had struck again. They'd evicted me, a fortune-teller, and a bookie from the corner of Mass. Ave. and Boylston, moved in with sandblasters and bleached oak and plant hangers, and last I looked appeared to be turning the place into a Marin County whorehouse." Chapter 1, Page 5

"Over the years, I'd found that stirring things up was better than not. When things got into motion I accomplished more. Or I seemed to." Spenser on the reason he'd delivered an expensive ice bucket to Elaine Brooks, Chapter 2, Page 17

"He was a big guy and he'd played football, and he was probably used to being tough. But he probably also knew something about physical potential from his old football days and I think he had a suspicion that he couldn't throw me down the stairs." Spenser talking about Mel, Chapter 3, Page 21

"He's skinny. He seems to have no...