Some Assured

The 'Assured' series started with Some Assured: when Matthew Taylor exchanged his job as a butcher for a career as a local insurance agent, he never anticipated that on his first day he would deliver a stallion foal and kill seven pigs - all without selling a pennn'orth of insurance. But in the 1950's in rural Delverdale, deep in the North York Moors, this is all in a day's work and Matthew and his new family, wife Evelyn and baby Paul, are happy to rise to the challenge.

The trusting people he serves leave their payments in sheds or on window ledges - and, when money's tight, Matthew finds himself accepting goods and services in lieu of payment.

A colourful cast of characters - including a woman who sees spies everywhere and a tipsy crockery salesman who poses an insurance risk to all who encounter him - combined with the task of persuading hard-headed Yorkshire folk to part with their money "for summat thoo can't see", ensure that Matthew has his work cut out for him.

Set in Heartbeat country, this is a nostalgic and affectionate look at a past way of life.

Some Assured was originally published in 2004.