Strangers in Their Midst — Patricia H. Rushford

The economic downturn has finally affected Copper Mill. Kate has seen evidence of it in small ways, but it's not until she learns that there is an entire group of homeless people living in Ash Grove Campground that she realizes she has to do something. Disappointed that the majority of the community opposes her plans to help their struggling neighbors, Kate throws herself into doing what she can. She meets Troy Eaton, a man facing hard times, and a strange and confused elderly woman who calls herself the Countess. When Troy is implicated in more than one crime, Kate is convinced of his innocence, even contrary to circumstantial evidence. Yet as she investigates, she begins to wonder if the several mysteries she's juggling are linked -- and it appears that none of her new friends are quite who they seem. Can Kate clear Troy's name when she hardly knows him or will getting involved put her in danger?