You know you are in for a ride when the first pages of a book put you with a blood splattered figure in the back of an ambulance.
The action never ceases as risk manager and actuary, Luke Smith, ends up on the run after being accused of stealing data from a life insurance company. Adventure unfolds as Luke looks to evade discovery in the middle of London and uncover the truth behind data that holds a dark secret.
Beyond being a great thriller, Mortality Thief drops in several nuggets of actuarial science without disrupting the narrative.
Ruskin’s popular quote to substitute facts for opinions is as fitting in a crime novel as it is in actuarial textbooks.
Underwriting classes, AIDS mortality, data science, and insurance corporate structures all get a few words in the course of the hunt.
A word of warning to auditors/accountants, Griffon takes a couple of shots, but if you get upset, at least your profession has a hit thriller and sequel starring Ben Affleck!
Maybe Griffin’s will follow soon.
A fun quick read for any audience, highly recommend The Mortality Thief and I look forward to the next book (and movie spinoffs!)!
- After Luke learns he is on the run, do you agree with how he evaluates his options (turning himself in, open sourcing the data, going to press, hiding)?
- Is Luke's decision-making reflective of actuarial professional thinking?
- Where would you hide if you had to get away fast but couldn't leave your hometown?
- What was your first hypothesis about the hidden scheme?
- How would you have gone about scrubbing the data for anomalies?
- Critique Luke's approach.
- A couple of societal issues are referenced in this novel, including homelessness and vets/PTSD. Did this book make you think differently about either of these groups?
- Are actuaries suitable action heroes?
- How would you react if your employer had a similar scandal?
- Is it ethical/appropriate to underwrite using bodily fluids? How much should an insurance company know about you?
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