The book begins with the formation of the Forensic Records Society of the title. A small group of men meet once a week at 9pm in the back room of a pub to listen to records. The rules of their society are strict: no latecomers are admitted, each member has to bring three 7" vinyl singles to play, and most importantly, the records must be listened to in silence and absolutely not discussed or analysed in any way. Soon, a rival society - the Confessional Records Society - springs up, at which members play their record of choice and then make a confession related to it. And then a third record society appears...