Now suppose that neutrons had some as-yet-unknown property that, if it could be observed, would enable us to predict their individual lifetimes.

As he had worked for the CIA for over 30 years, he would soon take retirement from the company.

The helmsman allowed her to sag off a little as she rode the wave, and Rennie drew breath to say something — and had to bite his tongue.

So the anecdotes in “The Diana Chronicles” wind up varying from credible to melodramatic to weirdly sitcomlike (Diana clobbering Charles with a Bible while he kneels in prayer?), although many reveal Ms. Brown’s fine ear for casual snobbery.