In this book, a titled character (Lord Somebody) owns landed property which is settled on an heir whom he either doesn't like or to whom he is not closely related. The Lord Somebody "commits waste" --- he sells timber off the estate without having secured the agreement of the heir (who has ownership rights in the timber by virtue the estate being settled on him). The Lord Somebody does this to benefit a child (son?) whom he loves and who has no right of inheritance nor source of income.
I think that the writer may be one of a number of classis mystery writers from the "golden age" of English mysteries: Cyril Hare, Michael Innes, Michael Gilbert, Ngaio Marsh, Agatha Christie, even Georgette Heyer --- but not Margery Allingham --- or perhaps even the more recent P.D. James.
I do not recall whether there is a death in the book. If Michael Innes wrote it, possibly not. If there is a death, it is probably the consequence of an attempt to hide the commision of waste.
I think that the writer may be one of a number of classis mystery writers from the "golden age" of English mysteries: Cyril Hare, Michael Innes, Michael Gilbert, Ngaio Marsh, Agatha Christie, even Georgette Heyer --- but not Margery Allingham --- or perhaps even the more recent P.D. James.
I do not recall whether there is a death in the book. If Michael Innes wrote it, possibly not. If there is a death, it is probably the consequence of an attempt to hide the commision of waste.