"Fire in the Thatch," by E.C.R. Lorac

Not everyone liked Nicholas Vaughan, though most people in Mallory Fitzjohn had at least a grudging respect for him. He certainly appeared competent, a man of few words, handy with his hands. It was a shock when a fire destroyed the thatched cottage Vaughan was renting and renovating. Nick Vaughan was trapped in the blaze. The coroner's jury said it was accidental. Others weren't so sure, and it would take Inspector Macdonald of Scotland Yard to come up with a motive and method for murder.