"What was premeditated murder if not calculated leverage?" from James Patterson's book Don't Blink suggests that such murder is an intentionally planned act, used as a means to manipulate or control a situation or individuals. It emphasizes the deliberate and strategic nature of premeditated killings, highlighting their calculated and manipulative aspects.

The quote underscores the idea that murder committed with prior planning is often motivated by a desire to exert power or influence, rather than mere impulse. It portrays premeditated murder as a methodical act designed to achieve specific, often strategic, goals through careful planning and execution.