I think there are a lot of nutters in the world, and the less we reward them for their nuttery, the better for all of us.

Sense entered into a short, violent skirmish with instinct and inclination, and was overwhelmed.

"But <i>people</i> who fundamentally change are rare, in my experience, because it's bloody hard work compared to going on a march or waving a flag. Have we met a single person on this case who's radically different to the person they were forty years ago?"

"I don't know . . . I think <i>I've</i> changed," said Robin, then felt embarrassed to have said it out loud.

Strike looked at her without smiling for the space it took him to chew and swallow a chip, then said,

"Yeah. But you're exceptional, aren't you?"