The Secret of Chimneys · Character

George Lomax

A red-faced, self-important Foreign Office official who commandeers Chimneys for a secret diplomatic weekend and refuses to let a little thing like murder derail his plans.

supporting

Also known as Lomax, Mr. Lomax, George

First appearance: Anxiety in High Places

As a supporting figure in The Secret of Chimneys, George Lomax is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A robust, self-important politician who pressures Lord Caterham into hosting the party and expresses deep concern over Count Stylptitch's memoirs.

In the storyAnxiety in High PlacesOpen this moment free

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George Lomax is a robust man with protuberant eyes and an immense sense of his own importance, the kind of official who grips a lapel and lectures for twenty minutes without pause. He orchestrates the Herzoslovakian oil negotiations at Chimneys, convinced that secrecy and imperial necessity justify everything. When a corpse turns up, his instinct is to hush it up — a decision that puts him at odds with Superintendent Battle and makes him a target of suspicion himself.

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See George Lomax in Anxiety in High Places

Character Web

33 connections

A slice of how George Lomax sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Social
Other

Character groups

Central suspects and investigators
Household and royal staff
Minor or peripheral characters

+28 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it reveals the full scope of the false Lemoine’s scheme and Anthon…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Virginia Revel
social · positive
George Lomax is a pompous politician who regards Virginia with polite but superficial… How this plays out →
Lord Caterham
social · ambivalent
Superintendent Battle
professional · ambivalent
Anthony Cade
rivalry · negative
Virginia Revel
social · positive
George Lomax is a pompous politician who regards Virginia with polite but superficial… How this plays out →
Superintendent Battle
professional · ambivalent
Anthony Cade
rivalry · negative
Superintendent Battle
professional · ambivalent
Lord Caterham
social · ambivalent
Lord Caterham
social · ambivalent
Virginia Revel
social · positive
George Lomax is a pompous politician who regards Virginia with polite but superficial… How this plays out →
Anthony Cade
rivalry · negative

Virginia Revel
George Lomax is a pompous politician who regards Virginia with polite but superficial social interest.
Lord Caterham
George Lomax and Lord Caterham are fellow aristocrats and political allies, with Lomax often imposing on Caterham's hospitality.
Superintendent Battle
George Lomax and Superintendent Battle have a strained professional relationship, with Lomax condescending and Battle quietly competent.
Anthony Cade
Anthony and George Lomax are antagonists, with Lomax suspicious of Anthony's involvement and motives.
Virginia Revel
George Lomax is a pompous politician who regards Virginia with polite but superficial social interest.
Superintendent Battle
George Lomax and Superintendent Battle have a strained professional relationship, with Lomax condescending and Battle quietly competent.
Anthony Cade
Anthony and George Lomax are antagonists, with Lomax suspicious of Anthony's involvement and motives.
Superintendent Battle
George Lomax and Superintendent Battle have a strained professional relationship, with Lomax condescending and Battle quietly competent.
Lord Caterham
George Lomax and Lord Caterham are fellow aristocrats and political allies, with Lomax often imposing on Caterham's hospitality.
Lord Caterham
George Lomax and Lord Caterham are fellow aristocrats and political allies, with Lomax often imposing on Caterham's hospitality.
Virginia Revel
George Lomax is a pompous politician who regards Virginia with polite but superficial social interest.
Anthony Cade
Anthony and George Lomax are antagonists, with Lomax suspicious of Anthony's involvement and motives.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See George Lomax in Anxiety in High Places

In the story

George Lomax appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Anxiety in High Places
A robust, self-important politician who pressures Lord Caterham into hosting the party and expresses deep concern over Count Stylptitch's memoirs.
IV: Introducing a Very Charming Lady
Returns to Whitehall and arranges for Bill to deliver a message to Virginia Revel.
First Night in London
Makes a mistake in his plans by relying on Bill's incorrect information about the ship's arrival.
VI: The Gentle Art of Blackmail
Visits Virginia after the blackmailer leaves; expresses horror at her actions and asks her to charm a young man arriving the next day.
Mr. McGrath Refuses an Invitation
Sends a letter to 'Mr. McGrath' inviting him to Chimneys; Anthony declines the invitation.
A Dead Man
Considered by Virginia as a potential confidant but rejected due to his concern for his own position.
X: Chimneys
Arrives to take charge of the situation, instructs Bundle to send telegrams and takes over from Lord Caterham.
XI: Superintendent Battle Arrives
Anxious about the case; insists on discretion; reveals Prince Michael's true identity and the purpose of his visit to Battle.
XII: Anthony Tells His Story
Present during Anthony's account; reacts to the mention of James McGrath and expresses disapproval of Anthony's masquerade.
Mainly Political and Financial
Anxious and pacing; expresses concern about the political fallout and the involvement of King Victor.
A Midnight Adventure
Mentioned as having been trying and demanding of Bill during the day.
Secret History
Mentioned as having insisted on secrecy, though not present in the scene.
The Red Signal
Anxious about the letters, questions Anthony Cade's trustworthiness, and authorizes the decoding.
The 13th of October (Continued.)
Initially objects to Anthony's presence but is persuaded by Battle; later expresses shock at the revelation of the murderer.
King Victor
Confused by the revelations; is taken aside by the Baron for a private explanation.
XXIX: Further Explanations
Criticizes Anthony's foolhardiness and expresses amazement at the revelations.
Sundry Details
Presides over the excavation ceremony with a speech about the British Empire.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for George Lomax unlock in the free preview.

See George Lomax in Anxiety in High Places