http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7586592.stmLarge country house is destroyed by fire in the early hours, outbuildings are also destroyed. Sundry horses are found dead in the remains of the outbuildings, dogs have "gone missing" and the family that lived in the house are, as yet, nowhere to be found. Meanwhile various "stories" are flying around that suggest the "Man of the House" was a bit of a fly by night sort of character, known to have been Company Sec of a business that failed recently, has other business interests and the "locals", or at least those interviewed by the Daily Mail, The Sun and the Mirror, have theories of "dirty deeds", strange comings and goings of people in posh cars etc. The only consensus seems to be that the family didn't mix much with their neighbours.
The various buildings destroyed seem to have been far enough apart to suggest that several separate fires occurred which is suggestive of arson.
Is it an insurance fiddle, a vendetta or an unfortunate set of circumstances? Have I played too much Cluedo with the children on wet summer afternoons?
It is worthy of Agatha Christie.