Top 61 Quotes & Sayings by Kathy Reichs

Explore popular quotes and sayings by an American writer Kathy Reichs.
Last updated on April 21, 2025.
Kathy Reichs

Dr. Kathleen Joan Toelle Reichs is an American crime writer, forensic anthropologist and academic. She is an adjunct professor of anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; as of 2016 she is on indefinite leave. She is also affiliated with the Laboratoire des Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale for the province of Quebec. She is one of 100 anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology and is on the board of directors of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Her schedule also involves a number of speaking engagements around the world. Reichs was a producer for the TV series Bones, which is loosely based on her novels, which in turn, are inspired by her life. She has two daughters, Kerry and Courtney, and one son, Brendan.

One of the surprising things I hadn't expected when I decided to write crime fiction is how much you are expected to be out in front of the public. Some writers aren't comfortable with that. I don't have a problem with that.
People love to hate the gravedigger.
I do interviews and signings and readings and all of these people just hang off my every word. And then I go home and have dinner with my family and nobody lets me get a word in.
My first book was the most successful debut novel in the U.K. ever and every one of my books has reached number one in the U.K. Clearly the British know brilliance when they see it.
I work with the dead, but I am working for the living. — © Kathy Reichs
I work with the dead, but I am working for the living.
I'm not writing great literature. I'm writing commercial fiction for people to enjoy the stories and to like the characters.
At first I probably seem very abrupt, but I like efficiency. There's work and there's play, and I always think: 'Let's get the work over with so we can thoroughly enjoy the play.'
What gives my books authenticity is that I actually do what it is I'm writing about. I think the fact that I am in the autopsy room, I go to the crime scene and I do work in the lab gives my books this flavor that otherwise they wouldn't have.
I've been accused of being a minimalist writer. I don't like a lot of verbiage in there.
I tend to watch a lot of movies at home. It's nice to be close to the refrigerator with my pyjamas on and just relax.
I've never lost my capacity to be shocked.
You'd be naive if you think you are going to retain any control once you option a character to TV.
Bones tell me the story of a person's life - how old they were, what their gender was, their ancestral background.
If you want to be an anthropologist, you need to study physical anthropology specialized in bones. If you want to be a forensic chemist, get a degree in chemistry. Do you want to do DNA work? Get a degree in microbiology. And do well. Study hard and go to graduate school.
I was a university professor, I could talk on and on and on. Give me a podium and you have to drag me off with a hook.
I originally worked as an archaeologist in North Carolina, and when bones were found police would take them out to the bones lady at the university, and that was me.
Many fiction writers who put the science in don't get it right. — © Kathy Reichs
Many fiction writers who put the science in don't get it right.
Murder mysteries are puzzles that are fun to resolve.
Indecision is the key to flexibility.
As a pirate, she once undressed a fencing instructor using only her sword!
I hated myself for needing him at such times, for craving his strength whenever I felt upset.
My line of work makes you aware of the fragility of life. You can get up in the morning, eat your cornflakes, blow-dry your hair, go to work and end up dead.
I can't believe you jokers fixed it." Hi was picking his way down to the beach. "Believe it, clown. Too much brain power here to fail." Still pumped, Shelton threw another palm Ben's way. "Oh, I'm sure." Hi streched, yawned. "It was something highly technical, I suppose? Something requiring mechanical ability? Nothing as simple as tightening a wire or flippin a switch, right?" Ben reddened. Shelton developed an intrest in his sneakers. Score one for Hi.
Who's going to rob us? A crackhead crab? A jellyfish junkie?
Today he wore a burnt-orange shirt, black pants, and a tie that looked like a street fight at the south end of the color wheel.
Hiram!' Shelton ran to Hi's side. 'Aren't you you bleeding? I thought she shot you!' 'Red wine. When I saw it running everywhere, I played dead.' He winced as Shelton poked his belly. 'But I'm not leaping off any more shelves. That was pretty stupid.
I’m adding ‘canine’ to my searches,” I said. “And ‘instinct.’” “Whatever. I’m adding ‘lunatic.
Amazing.” Hi stripped off his shirt, wrung it out. “Score one for your honker.” “Thanks, I think.” I cocked my chin at Hi’s substantial midsection. “Nice abs.” “Yeah, I work out twice a month. No expectations. But stop hitting on me, it’s embarrassing.
Experience is a valuable thing. It enables us to recognize mistakes when we repeat them.
My first book was the most successful debut novel in the UK ever and every one of my books has reached number one in the UK. Clearly the British know brilliance when they see it.
God help anyone who messes with the Virals!
Death in anonymity is the ultimate insult to human dignity.
Why do all your brilliant ideas involve felonies?
Channel your outrage ... Do that which you are able to do.
You'll start talking, and pretty soon we'll all start nodding, and then the next thing you know, I'm hang gliding off the Eiffel Tower at night, being chased by ninja vampires
Chance wore a white tuxedo with tails. On anyone else? Doopy. On him? Yes, please.
You all right now?" "I'm exceptional. Wonderful. Thanks for the concern. You complete me.
An elite confederacy of nerds. My peeps
I have a cotillion event. Some yacht-club charity fundraiser thingy. Whitney is insisting, and Kit took her side.” Three wide smiles. “Oh shut up.
Gritty and witty, The Chicago Way is done the classic Raymond Chandler Way. Harvey's taut plot, snappy prose, and memorable characters make this debut novel a real winner.
Fine. Everybody wears seatbelts. No radio. No distractions.” Ben shot Hi a stern look. “No running commentary.” “Your loss,” Hi said. “To the pimp ride! — © Kathy Reichs
Fine. Everybody wears seatbelts. No radio. No distractions.” Ben shot Hi a stern look. “No running commentary.” “Your loss,” Hi said. “To the pimp ride!
At first I probably seem very abrupt, but I like efficiency. There's work and there's play, and I always think: 'Let's get the work over with so we can thoroughly enjoy the play.
Edmonton is Canada's answer to Omaha. Solid, unassuming, and surrounded by a whole lot of nothing. It's a place that makes you think of sensible shoes.
Many fiction writers who put the science in dont get it right.
Violence wounds the body and it wounds the soul. Of the predator. Of the prey. Of the mourners. Of collective humanity. It diminishes us all.
Let's do it. Monkeys are always funny. You pretty much can't go wrong with a monkey, right? Hi paused. Well unless that monkey wants you dead, or does needle drugs or something. Then it's wrong, and a bad monkey.
High school popularity is so fickle.
Im studying jerkoffs in the wild," Ben answered dryly. "This seemed like a good chance to view one up close.
Ben yanked Hi sideways as spikes snapped from the wall…Once again, only Ben’s reflexes had saved him. “Please stop doing that!” Ben barked. “Please keep doing that!” Hi warbled.
Ahh! Lady Pillows. So much fluffier than mine.” He took a giant whiff. “Why does everything girlie smell so delightful?” “Because we acknowledge the importance of basic hygiene. And periodically clean our bathrooms.” “Brilliant. I should write that down. After all, it takes a village.
Whitney smacked Coop's snout while simultaneously pressing herself deeper into the couch. Coop fixed her with an unblinking ice-blue stare, gray-brown fur bristling along his spine. "Tory!" Whitney squealed. "He's going to attack!" "Maybe." I walked into the kitchen and snagged a Diet Coke from the fridge. "Try to protect your throat.
I have come to think of violence as a self-perpetuating mania of the power of the aggressive over those less strong. — © Kathy Reichs
I have come to think of violence as a self-perpetuating mania of the power of the aggressive over those less strong.
Though Anne was born in Alabama and schooled in Mississippi, she had traveled North, and, like many Southerners, gained a theoretical understanding of the concept of cold. But the mind is an overprotective parent. What it doesn't care for, it hides. Like many inhabiting the subtropics, Anne had repressed the reality of subzero mercury.
Everyone’s gone mad, typing to themselves all day long like mindless robots.
Tory a father isn’t supposed to fear his fourteen-year-old daughter. That being sad, you terrify me.
I see you, Ben. I always have. You're in my pack." He pulled away. "What if being packmates isn't enough for me?
She wanted to feel safe. Untouchable in her home. The ultimate female fantasy.
Though a good cop, Luc Claudel has the patience of a firecracker, the sensitivity of Vlad the Impaler, and a persistent skepticism as to the value of forensic anthropology. Snappy dresser, though.
We did just leave an insane asylum,” Hi agreed. “For all we know, Chance spend his nights dancing naked with sock puppets, plotting to invade Canada.
Most Bolton students were scions of the city's wealthiest families. My crewe stuck out like hooker at church. We werent part of their pampered, priveliged world, and many of our classmates were quick to remind us of that fact. Taunting the "boat kids" was practically a varsity sport.
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