A Wisp of Smoke (Arnold Landon Book 6)

Vagrant Foxy Fernlea became an obvious suspect when the body of ex-army officer Kenneth Andrews was found shot dead in his remote home. Foxy on his own admission had visited the house, and Chief Superintendent Redvers was only too anxious to wrap up a case which he had at first classed as suicide. But he had reckoned without those who believed in Foxy's innocence and lobbied accordingly; he had reckoned without the misgivings of his number two, the dedicated Inspector Greybrook; and he had reckoned without planning officer Arnold Landon.
Arnold, whose great interest in life was mediaeval architecture, became involved when approached to take on the authorship of a book Andrews had been writing on the subject. Unfortunately, Andrews had also been engaged on another, less innocuous work, described as 'of occult significance', which certain local interests were intent on suppressing. Arnold, deemed guilty by association, found himself falsely accused of fraud and suspended from his job.
Together with Jane Wilson, a historical novelist who shared his interest, Arnold set about clearing his own name and investigating the unsavoury rumours surrounding Andrews. He never dreamed that before long he would be involved in a paedophile murder inquiry, the discovery of an old crime, and a flight for life across the Durham moors.