Brad Meltzer

Brad Meltzer (2018)

Brad Meltzer (born April 1, 1970) is an American novelist, non-fiction writer, TV show creator, and comic book author.

Quotes

The Escape Artist (2018)

All page numbers are from the hardcover first edition, published by Grand Central Publishing, ISBN 978-1-4555-5952-7, first printing

Italics as in the book. Bold face added for emphasis.

• Even when you’re ready for it, nothing sneaks up on you like grief.
  • Chapter 1 (p. 10)

• “You’re telling me you can hack into an FBI agent’s phone?”
  “Only when they’re dumb enough to use their personal one instead of a secure line. Swear to Steve Jobs, whoever invented working from home should get a big wet kiss on the mouth.”
  • Chapter 2 (p. 19)

• 302 phone number. Delaware. Truthfully, I didn’t think they allowed anyone to live in Delaware anymore.
  • Chapter 2 (p. 19)

• In every life, whatever you do, you either destroy or create.
  • Chapter 4 (p. 30)

• He felt…good, which should’ve been a sign. If life taught Zig anything, it’s that the universe saves its best punches for when you least expect it.
  • Chapter 31 (p. 156; ellipsis as in the book)

• I hate watching cable news; it makes you dumber.
  • Chapter 41 (p. 194)

• I know why you’re here, Mr. Zigarowski. Your commitment to repetition makes it nauseatingly obvious.
  • Chapter 45 (p. 204)

• There are only four different magic tricks: You make something appear. You make something disappear. You make two things change place. Or you change one thing into something else. Everything in magic is a variation on those four.
  • Chapter 45 (p. 204)

• “How old are you, Mr. Zigarowski? Late forties?”
  “Fifty-two.”
  “Mhmm. You got lucky with that head of hair. Lady Time picks her lovers with care.”
  • Chapter 45 (p. 205)

• You say you’re a mortician? You should know better than anyone. Just because you’re not dead doesn’t mean you’re alive.
  • Chapter 45 (p. 206)

• Sure enough, as Colonel Hsu stepped into his office, she gave him a big thumbs-up with a double pump. She was a politician. If she was leading with charm, bad news was coming.
  • Chapter 76 (p. 328)

• She thought about praying, but learned long ago there’d be no answer.
  • Chapter 81 (p. 351)

The Lightning Rod (2022)

All page numbers are from the hardcover first edition, published by William Morrow, ISBN 978-0-06-289240-9, first printing

Italics and ellipses as in the book.

• Years ago, his stepdad had told him that anyone who drives a BMW has a small penis.
  • Prologue (p. 2)

• “I love that you’re one of the kindest people on the planet, Ziggy, but I’ve seen teenagers in horror movies who’re less predictable…car washes that were less predictable…”
  “I get the point, Waggs.”
  “Ferris wheels that were less predictable!”
  • Chapter 9 (p. 49)

• Years ago, during her first visit, Nola came here to do good, to set things right. But like any decision you look back on through the lens of time, what you marvel at most is how naïve you were.
  • Chapter 92 (p. 340)

• As Huck’s about to learn, the worst prisons are the ones we create for ourselves.
  • Chapter 104 (p. 387)