Now here’s a mystery for you to ponder. What do the following have in common? A 1920/30’s actor, a remote country cottage somewhere in the West Country and Agatha Christie.
The actor, a minor celebrity of his time, was also a playwright. Born in Hampstead in London, tragically he died, aged just 37.

His death was a mystery itself, he fell from the stern of the SS Paris whilst the ship was at sea. He had just attended a party given on behalf of the 1936 Miss Great Britain, and there was much speculation in the press as to how and why Mr Vosper met such a sad end.

The remote country cottage, miles from anywhere with no land line or even a mobile signal? It had recently been modernised, except for the unusual cellar, and by all accounts the new owners paid considerably over the odds for it. (Readers will understand that the play has a modern setting)

Agatha Christie of course needs no introduction, but her connection with Frank Vosper provides the biggest clue. A short story she wrote as part of a collection of five short tales, were published under the name of the ‘Listerdale Mystery’. One in particular attracted the attention of this emerging playwright.
‘Philomel Cottage’ was taken as the basis of his successful play “Love from a Stranger”. The original version opened in the West End to critical acclaim. In addition to the stage version it was twice made into a movie, the second time under a different name.