Could this be one of them?

http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook16650.htm

Or this:

http://fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook16960.htm

Mikel (sounds like nickel)

mike . wrote:
> If anyone remembers the author or a title or two please post it/them.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mike
>
>
> On 3/1/07 2:04 PM, "Sharon Mendonca" <bobonsharo@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
>
>> I've mentioned this different times over the years, but has anyone read the
>> mystery books about a woman living in her VW van full time in Palo Alto, CA?
>>   I always remember those stories fondly and they were very good books.  At
>> this point in time, I really don't remember the author, but they were all
>> about how she dealt with "street living" in the van while solving crimes.
>>
>>   Sharon Mendonca
>>   88 Westy
>