The Ponson case

"The Ponson Case" by Freeman Wills Crofts is an early 20th-century mystery centered on the puzzling disappearance and death of Sir William Ponson, a wealthy landowner at Luce Manor, with Inspector Tanner leading the investigation. Readers meet Sir William's son, Austin Ponson, and the manor's staff, each potentially holding crucial information. The story begins calmly at Luce Manor, but tension soon rises when Sir William vanishes. After the discovery of his body, Inspector Tanner uncovers suspicious details suggesting the death might not have been accidental. The beginning hints at family drama, social pressures, and hidden secrets, pulling the reader into a tense investigation.