His original name is Milomre Blocj and he comes from a family of Transnistrian gypsies who arrived in London in 1957 and set up an import-export business linked to Eastern Europe.

He collects antique helmets, listens to African music and is having an affair with Stella Bull, the owner of a scaffolding company.

[2] Hogg, Lorimer's overbearing boss, describes his profession thus: "people turn to insurance to remove uncertainty from areas of their lives.

"[3] The narrative itself begins when Lorimer turns up at a routine business appointment only to find the man he was to meet has hanged himself.

From then on his already complicated life begins to unravel as he falls in love with Flavia Malinervo, an unhappily married actress; is assigned to investigate a case of suspected insurance fraud in which a colleague, Torquil Helvoir-Jayne, is implicated; and suffers the death of his father.