Scott Lynch: Lock

“Throwing blondes at Locke Lamora was not unlike throwing lettuce at sharks.”

Scott Lynch The Lies of Locke Lamora

Source: The Lies of Locke Lamora

“What kind of knife is this?” Locke held a rounded buttering utensil up for Chains’ inspection. “It’s all wrong. You couldn’t kill anyone with this.”

Scott Lynch The Lies of Locke Lamora

Source: The Lies of Locke Lamora

“When you see the Crooked Warden," said Locke, twisting something in his hands, "tell him that Lock Lamora learns slowly, but he learns well. And when you see my friends, you tell them that there are more of you on the way.”

Scott Lynch The Lies of Locke Lamora

Source: The Lies of Locke Lamora

Way , Learning

“I want to hug you. And I want to tear your gods-damned head off. Both at once."

"Ah," said Locke. "Near as I can tell, that’s the definition of 'family' right there.”

Scott Lynch book Red Seas Under Red Skies

Source: Red Seas Under Red Skies

God , Family , Tear

“Maxilan, darling." Locke raised one eyebrow and smiled. "I knew you were driven, but I had no idea you could smoulder. Come, take me now! Jean won't mind; he'll avert his eyes like a gentleman.”

Scott Lynch book Red Seas Under Red Skies

Source: Red Seas Under Red Skies

Smile , Idea

“Are you smarter than a pig, Locke?”
“On occasion,” said Locke. “There are contrary opinions.”

Scott Lynch book The Republic of Thieves

Source: The Republic of Thieves

“[W]hen you find yourself face to face with one [Bondsmage], you bow and scrape and mind your 'sirs' and 'madams.'"

…

'Nice bird, asshole,' said Locke.”

Scott Lynch The Lies of Locke Lamora

Source: The Lies of Locke Lamora

Bird

“What thief does not fight to hold what he has?"

"One that has something better," said Locke.”

Scott Lynch The Lies of Locke Lamora

Source: The Lies of Locke Lamora

Fight

“In a fair fight, the don's man would almost certainly paint the walls with Locke and Calo's blood, so it stood to reason that this fight would have to be as unfair as possible.”

Scott Lynch The Lies of Locke Lamora

Source: The Lies of Locke Lamora

Fight , Painting

“Gentlemen Bastards." hissed Locke, "do not abandon one another, and we do not run when we owe vengeance.”

Scott Lynch The Lies of Locke Lamora

Source: The Lies of Locke Lamora

“I keep asking myself," whispered Sabetha, giving Locke's arm a squeeze, "ARE we smarter than that woman's chicken?"

"At the moment, it's an open question," said Locke.”

Scott Lynch book The Republic of Thieves

Source: The Republic of Thieves

Question

“The only person who gets away with Locke Lamora games—” “—is Locke Lamora—”

Scott Lynch The Lies of Locke Lamora

Source: The Lies of Locke Lamora

Game , Personality

“Time’s a river, Locke, and we’ve always drifted farther down it than we think.”

Scott Lynch The Lies of Locke Lamora

Interlude “Up the River” section 2 (p. 392)
The Lies of Locke Lamora (2006)

Thinking , Time

“I never would’ve thought—“
“Don’t think,” said Locke. “I’m paid to do that for you.”

Scott Lynch book The Republic of Thieves

Source: The Republic of Thieves (2013), Chapter 6 “The Five-Year Game: Change of Venue” section 1 (p. 311)

Thinking

““That’s a sweet piece,“ said Jean, briefly forgetting to be aggravated. “You didn’t snatch that off a street.“
“No,“ said Locke, before taking another deep draught of the warm water in the decanter. “I got it from the neck of the governor’s mistress.“
“You can’t be serious.“
“In the governor’s manor.“
“Of all the—“
“In the governor’s bed.“
“Damned lunatic!“
“With the governor sleeping next to her… It is possible,“ said Locke with a sheepish grin, “that I have been slightly too bold.“”

Scott Lynch book Red Seas Under Red Skies

Reminiscence “The Capa of Vel Virazzo” section 6 (pp. 70-71)
Red Seas Under Red Skies (2007)

Sleep , Water , Forgetting

“Sabetha threw her own shoes and costume components on the tiles near the bath. She retained only her black hose and a dressing gown. Locke did his best to look like he wasn’t staring, and she did an admirable job of pretending she wasn’t encouraging him.”

Scott Lynch book The Republic of Thieves

Interlude “Death Masks” section 8 (p. 639)
The Republic of Thieves (2013)

Shoe

“You’re trying to be charming again,” she said softly, “but I do not choose to be charmed, Locke Lamora.”

Scott Lynch book The Republic of Thieves

Interlude “Striking Sparks” section 6 (p. 247)
The Republic of Thieves (2013)

“”Oh, gods,” he cried. ”Oh, gods protect me! It’s you!”
“Of course it’s me,“ said Locke. “You just don’t know who the hell I am yet.“”

Scott Lynch book Red Seas Under Red Skies

Source: Red Seas Under Red Skies (2007), Chapter 16 “Settling Accounts” sections 2-3 (p. 712)

God , Hell

“The trouble with creating military dictators, Locke reflected, was getting rid of them after the immediate crisis was past.”

Scott Lynch book Red Seas Under Red Skies

Source: Red Seas Under Red Skies (2007), Chapter 1 “Little Games” section 5 (p. 35)

Past

““Why the hell are you here?”
“A matter of conscience.”
“Really?” said Locke. “Yours? You keep alluding to its existence. Somehow I’m not convinced.””

Scott Lynch book The Republic of Thieves

Source: The Republic of Thieves (2013), Chapter 9 “The Five-Year Game: Reasonable Doubt” section 1 (p. 543)

Hell