Never Let a Stranger in Your House — Margaret Logan

Margaret Logan introduced her appealing new sleuth Olivia Chapman in her first novel for St. Martin's Press, The End of an Altruist. A Boston-based interior designer, Olivia managed to get tangled in a deadly family feud and turned detective to prove her own innocence. Here, she finds herself once more caught up in a case of domestic intrigue.
With all the turmoil of an insular village, Olivia's Beacon Hill community is wrangling over a plan to provide housing for the homeless in its midst. Lori Lutz, a neighbor and best-selling novelist who is on the board of directors, talks Olivia into offering her professional services. And when Lori leaves her unsuccessful writer-husband Rob, Olivia offers the abused woman her home.
Lori turns out to be a less-than-perfect houseguest, from her slovenly habits to her obnoxious visitors. Olivia remains sympathetic, though, particularly after she learns that Rob Mallory was cheating on his wife and manipulating her finances. But when the detestable man turns up dead, Olivia really would like to know whether others had motives for killing Mallory or whether Lori decided to take the ultimate revenge.