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Maiden Harlow #1
Murder Checks Inn
A beautiful oasis in scenic northern Michigan, Golden Glen is teeming with orchards, wineries and charm...murder wasn't in the brochure.
Maiden Harlow never expected to find herself in the middle of a murder case. Working in her family’s cozy inn, Harlow House, she thought her biggest worry would be keeping the guests happy. But when an unpopular guest is found dead in his locked room, and a bank robbery adds to the chaos, Maiden's peaceful life is turned upside down. And with no one claiming to have seen or heard anything, it's up to Maiden to solve the mystery before it's too late.
As if that wasn't enough, Maiden also has to deal with feuding guests, nosy friends, and a new head of the local police department, Captain McAlister, who seems to suspect her of the crime. Maiden knows she needs to use her sharp mind, keen memory, and eccentric friends to crack the case.
With the inn swarming with cops and her family's reputation on the line, Maiden must balance keeping her loved ones safe, calming the guests, and trying not to accidentally flirt with the handsome but suspicious captain. Can she find the killer before her family's business is ruined and someone else ends up dead?
If you enjoy funny, romantic mysteries with clever heroines and twisty plots, you'll love Murder Checks Inn. Don't wait, grab your copy now!
Maiden Harlow never expected to find herself in the middle of a murder case. Working in her family’s cozy inn, Harlow House, she thought her biggest worry would be keeping the guests happy. But when an unpopular guest is found dead in his locked room, and a bank robbery adds to the chaos, Maiden's peaceful life is turned upside down. And with no one claiming to have seen or heard anything, it's up to Maiden to solve the mystery before it's too late.
As if that wasn't enough, Maiden also has to deal with feuding guests, nosy friends, and a new head of the local police department, Captain McAlister, who seems to suspect her of the crime. Maiden knows she needs to use her sharp mind, keen memory, and eccentric friends to crack the case.
With the inn swarming with cops and her family's reputation on the line, Maiden must balance keeping her loved ones safe, calming the guests, and trying not to accidentally flirt with the handsome but suspicious captain. Can she find the killer before her family's business is ruined and someone else ends up dead?
If you enjoy funny, romantic mysteries with clever heroines and twisty plots, you'll love Murder Checks Inn. Don't wait, grab your copy now!
- GenresCozyCozy MysteryMystery
274 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2024
About the author
Camille Sharp
9 books7 followersI write dark cozy mysteries full of secrets, atmosphere, and heroines who are smart, sexy, and stronger than they realize. I’ve been crafting stories since childhood, starting with notebooks, moving to a brick‑like laptop, and eventually finding my voice in twisty mysteries with heart.
My books blend suspense, romance, friendship, and the messy beauty of family. I believe stories are escape hatches—small, powerful worlds we can slip into when reality gets too loud.
If you love cozies with shadows, heat, and emotional depth, I’d love to welcome you into my fictional worlds.
My books blend suspense, romance, friendship, and the messy beauty of family. I believe stories are escape hatches—small, powerful worlds we can slip into when reality gets too loud.
If you love cozies with shadows, heat, and emotional depth, I’d love to welcome you into my fictional worlds.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 11, 2024
Golden Glen is a peaceful little town, or it was until a dead body was found in a room at the local historical inn. Maiden Harlow, owner of the Harlow House Inn wants the cops out of her inn as soon as possible in order to save her business, so when she sees that there isn't any progress on investigations she decides to help the police arousing the antipathies of Daivid McAlister, the new Captain.
Murder Checks Inn is a very enjoyable cozy mystery, set in a lovely inn and with a cast of amusing characters.
The murder mystery was engaging and well thought, but at times it seemed that the flirting and the attraction between the main characters took over. The author has made amends with the last few chapters full of revelations, twists and turn that I didn't expect.
I recommend it if you like your murder mystery with a touch of romance. I definitely don't want to miss next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
August 26, 2024
~Murder-Mysterty, Small-Town, Secrets, and more!~
Murder Checks Inn by Camille Sharp follows Maiden Harlow, who works at her parent's Inn, Harlow House. After a shocking bank robbery in the charming, quiet town over, Maiden and the locals are on high alert. Just as it seems things are calming down, Maiden finds a dead body at Harlow House. With a new police captain in town and an eclectic group of guests who are now suspects, will the killer be discovered before more tragedy strikes Harlow House? Will Maiden help figure out who committed the murder or just get in the way of the police captain?
3.5| This book was a lovely, cozy murder mystery with a splash of romance. I found Maiden character enjoyable, though her name is a little unusual. I liked seeing Maiden's day-to-day responsibilities at the Inn. I wished I had seen more of her relationship with her sister and her life in general. Everything in the story is contained to the Inn and the police station, I would have liked to see more of Golden Glen and what it's like outside of Maiden’s work. An occasional meeting at a cafe or bookstore would have added some much-needed dimension to the story. I never got a good sense of the time period in which the story was taking place. There are some mentions of modern things like computers, but the writing style offsets that, which confused me. I found most of the characters enjoyable, and I loved seeing Maiden's internal monologue throughout the story and her hesitancy in certain social situations. It added a lot of depth to her character and allowed me to understand her better while also making her seem relatable.
My main qualm with this book is how often Maiden’s looks are mentioned. In the first quarter of the book, her looks are mentioned so much it becomes incredibly redundant. While I am all for body positivity in books, at times, it seems like her curves were used to put down her sister's body. While this isn't her thoughts and feelings, but her mother's, it just didn't sit right with me. Her mother is so judgmental and passive-aggressive towards her sister it was hard to read at times. I am hoping this is a topic that will be explored in future books. One character I am excited to see more of in this series is the police captain. I loved the banter between Maiden and him. Their relationship is something I am excited to see further explored throughout the series. The murder mystery aspect of this book was excellent and had me guessing who it was til the end. I do wish the writing helped add a bit more suspense; it felt a little too casual at times and not like a life-or-death situation. I loved Maiden’s smarts and how she was able to figure it out and stick up for herself.
Overall, this was a quick and cozy read. This series has tons of potential, with great characters so far. In future books in the series, I hope to see more of Golden Glen and what it has to offer, more of Miaden and her familys dynamic, and more of her potential romance with police Captian McAlister. I am excited to see what's next for the Harlow House and Golden Glen!
*I received this book through BookBuzz.net via NetGalley as an eARC reader. This will not in any way affect my thoughts or opinions on the book*
Murder Checks Inn by Camille Sharp follows Maiden Harlow, who works at her parent's Inn, Harlow House. After a shocking bank robbery in the charming, quiet town over, Maiden and the locals are on high alert. Just as it seems things are calming down, Maiden finds a dead body at Harlow House. With a new police captain in town and an eclectic group of guests who are now suspects, will the killer be discovered before more tragedy strikes Harlow House? Will Maiden help figure out who committed the murder or just get in the way of the police captain?
3.5| This book was a lovely, cozy murder mystery with a splash of romance. I found Maiden character enjoyable, though her name is a little unusual. I liked seeing Maiden's day-to-day responsibilities at the Inn. I wished I had seen more of her relationship with her sister and her life in general. Everything in the story is contained to the Inn and the police station, I would have liked to see more of Golden Glen and what it's like outside of Maiden’s work. An occasional meeting at a cafe or bookstore would have added some much-needed dimension to the story. I never got a good sense of the time period in which the story was taking place. There are some mentions of modern things like computers, but the writing style offsets that, which confused me. I found most of the characters enjoyable, and I loved seeing Maiden's internal monologue throughout the story and her hesitancy in certain social situations. It added a lot of depth to her character and allowed me to understand her better while also making her seem relatable.
My main qualm with this book is how often Maiden’s looks are mentioned. In the first quarter of the book, her looks are mentioned so much it becomes incredibly redundant. While I am all for body positivity in books, at times, it seems like her curves were used to put down her sister's body. While this isn't her thoughts and feelings, but her mother's, it just didn't sit right with me. Her mother is so judgmental and passive-aggressive towards her sister it was hard to read at times. I am hoping this is a topic that will be explored in future books. One character I am excited to see more of in this series is the police captain. I loved the banter between Maiden and him. Their relationship is something I am excited to see further explored throughout the series. The murder mystery aspect of this book was excellent and had me guessing who it was til the end. I do wish the writing helped add a bit more suspense; it felt a little too casual at times and not like a life-or-death situation. I loved Maiden’s smarts and how she was able to figure it out and stick up for herself.
Overall, this was a quick and cozy read. This series has tons of potential, with great characters so far. In future books in the series, I hope to see more of Golden Glen and what it has to offer, more of Miaden and her familys dynamic, and more of her potential romance with police Captian McAlister. I am excited to see what's next for the Harlow House and Golden Glen!
*I received this book through BookBuzz.net via NetGalley as an eARC reader. This will not in any way affect my thoughts or opinions on the book*
August 24, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Camille Sharp for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder Checks Inn released on August 15, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Maiden Harlow leads a peaceful life helping to run her family's inn, Harlow House. At least it was peaceful, until an unpopular guest is violently killed and left in his locked and undisturbed room while an inn full of guests sleep peacefully. No one claims to have heard or seen anything. Throw feuding guests, nosy friends and a bank robbery into the mix and things start to get dangerously complicated.
Maiden is up to her neck in trouble as rumors spread and she finds herself under suspicion by Captain McAlister, the new head of the local police department. Sparks fly and tempers clash but then a second murder raises the stakes even further.
With the inn crawling with cops, and possibly a murderer, their reputation and future are on the line. Armed with an observant mind, an unusually sharp memory and a lot of eccentric friends, Maiden is on the case.
Between keeping her family safe, the guests calm, and grappling with her unfortunate habit of accidentally hitting on the new cop every time they meet, Maiden's hands are full. Despite that, she needs to find the killer before her family's business is ruined or someone else ends up dead.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. Maiden is an interesting choice for a character name…But besides that, I loved it! I think an inn is a fun and cozy setting for a murder mystery. I thought the guy was pretty shady. Maiden handled things pretty well under the circumstances and she was good at her job. I think Maiden was a smart character. The characters were fun. It felt like a really cozy mystery. I would definitely check out more books by this author!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!
Maiden Harlow leads a peaceful life helping to run her family's inn, Harlow House. At least it was peaceful, until an unpopular guest is violently killed and left in his locked and undisturbed room while an inn full of guests sleep peacefully. No one claims to have heard or seen anything. Throw feuding guests, nosy friends and a bank robbery into the mix and things start to get dangerously complicated.
Maiden is up to her neck in trouble as rumors spread and she finds herself under suspicion by Captain McAlister, the new head of the local police department. Sparks fly and tempers clash but then a second murder raises the stakes even further.
With the inn crawling with cops, and possibly a murderer, their reputation and future are on the line. Armed with an observant mind, an unusually sharp memory and a lot of eccentric friends, Maiden is on the case.
Between keeping her family safe, the guests calm, and grappling with her unfortunate habit of accidentally hitting on the new cop every time they meet, Maiden's hands are full. Despite that, she needs to find the killer before her family's business is ruined or someone else ends up dead.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. Maiden is an interesting choice for a character name…But besides that, I loved it! I think an inn is a fun and cozy setting for a murder mystery. I thought the guy was pretty shady. Maiden handled things pretty well under the circumstances and she was good at her job. I think Maiden was a smart character. The characters were fun. It felt like a really cozy mystery. I would definitely check out more books by this author!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!
October 28, 2025
I think perhaps I was just not the target audience for this book. I have never really been a fan of the cozy mysteries genre and I didn’t know this book fell in that category when I requested to read it. I really disliked the “banter” between Captain McAlister and Maiden. It felt very much like when young girls are told that boys are only mean/rude to them because they like them. That’s pretty much the only thing I could think about every time he was rude to her and then they would drop into flirting immediately after and she just dealt with it. Not great in my opinion. The mystery part of it was okay but it just felt like it was dragging on and on and on and then was wrapped up in like 15 minutes at the very end. Not my favorite, but thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
November 13, 2024
ITA
Maiden gestisce insieme ai genitori e alla sorella un Inn in una località turistica.
Nell’albergo accade un omicidio: un uomo che ha richiesta una stanza durante una notte di maltempo, senza presentare nessun documento, che ha dei modi loschi ed è anche molto maleducato viene trovato morto nella sua camera.
Ne segue la storia dove Maiden, the Human Camera, cerca di capire chi ha commesso l’omicidio e il perché. Durante questa indagine ci sarà una “collaborazione” con il nuovo capo della polizia David McAlister.
Lati positivi e lati negativi.
Lati negativi. La storia ha alcuni aspetti che non tornano, dal mio punto di vista. La prima cosa anche un po’ fastidiosa è: perché Maiden fa una deposizione a rate?
La seconda è: ma perché McAlister, che viene presentato come uno competente nel campo degli omicidi, si rivela poi essere decisamente, pesantemente e continuamente in enorme errore?
Dal punto di vista di interazione dei personaggi non riuscivo a capire la necessità di una interazione così, a mio avviso, stupida tra Maiden e McAlister, a tratti erano fastidiosi. Ma chi è che flirta in quel modo? Non è nemmeno divertente!
La seconda cosa per i personaggi che non mi è piaciuta è come si comportano Maiden, che è una persona comprensiva e gentile, e principalmente la madre Gloria con la cuoca Kylie. Personalmente trovo estremamente violento il fatto che perché si lavora insieme si debba essere anche amici, ma dove sta scritto? Perché lei deve per forza fare cene con l’altro personale e fare chiacchiere inutili sul tempo: il suo lavoro è fare la cuoca e lo fa bene.
Lati positivi. Avevo capito tutto da praticamente subito e devo dire che la storia è fatta bene con indizi veri e depistamenti vari e tutto sommato, togliendo le cose di cui sopra, scorre abbastanza.
Mi sento di dover segnalare, spero non sia intenzionale, che nel libro c’è body shaming, slut shaming.
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente
ENG
Maiden, together with her parents and sister, runs an inn.
A man who requested a room during a stormy night without presenting any identification, who has shady ways and is also very rude, is found dead in his room.
The story is about Maiden, the human camera that tries to figure out who committed the murder and why. During this investigation there will be a “collaboration” with new police chief David McAlister.
Positive and negative sides.
Negative sides. The story has some aspects that do not add up, from my point of view.
First: why does Maiden make her statement in installments?
Second: why is McAlister, who is presented as someone who is competent in the crime field, decisively, heavily, and continuously in huge error?
Third, character interaction: I could not understand the need for such stupid interaction between Maiden and McAlister; they were annoying at times. Is that really flirting? Not even funny!
Another aspect I did not like is how Maiden, who is described as understanding and kind, and mainly her mother Gloria, behave with the cook Kylie. I personally find it extremely abusive that because they work together, they also have to be friends.
Positive sides. I had it all figured out pretty much right away, but I have to say that the crime story is well written with actual clues and various misleadings; it flows fairly well.
I feel I should point out—I hope it is not intentional—that in the book, there is body shaming and slut shaming.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Maiden gestisce insieme ai genitori e alla sorella un Inn in una località turistica.
Nell’albergo accade un omicidio: un uomo che ha richiesta una stanza durante una notte di maltempo, senza presentare nessun documento, che ha dei modi loschi ed è anche molto maleducato viene trovato morto nella sua camera.
Ne segue la storia dove Maiden, the Human Camera, cerca di capire chi ha commesso l’omicidio e il perché. Durante questa indagine ci sarà una “collaborazione” con il nuovo capo della polizia David McAlister.
Lati positivi e lati negativi.
Lati negativi. La storia ha alcuni aspetti che non tornano, dal mio punto di vista. La prima cosa anche un po’ fastidiosa è: perché Maiden fa una deposizione a rate?
La seconda è: ma perché McAlister, che viene presentato come uno competente nel campo degli omicidi, si rivela poi essere decisamente, pesantemente e continuamente in enorme errore?
Dal punto di vista di interazione dei personaggi non riuscivo a capire la necessità di una interazione così, a mio avviso, stupida tra Maiden e McAlister, a tratti erano fastidiosi. Ma chi è che flirta in quel modo? Non è nemmeno divertente!
La seconda cosa per i personaggi che non mi è piaciuta è come si comportano Maiden, che è una persona comprensiva e gentile, e principalmente la madre Gloria con la cuoca Kylie. Personalmente trovo estremamente violento il fatto che perché si lavora insieme si debba essere anche amici, ma dove sta scritto? Perché lei deve per forza fare cene con l’altro personale e fare chiacchiere inutili sul tempo: il suo lavoro è fare la cuoca e lo fa bene.
Lati positivi. Avevo capito tutto da praticamente subito e devo dire che la storia è fatta bene con indizi veri e depistamenti vari e tutto sommato, togliendo le cose di cui sopra, scorre abbastanza.
Mi sento di dover segnalare, spero non sia intenzionale, che nel libro c’è body shaming, slut shaming.
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente
ENG
Maiden, together with her parents and sister, runs an inn.
A man who requested a room during a stormy night without presenting any identification, who has shady ways and is also very rude, is found dead in his room.
The story is about Maiden, the human camera that tries to figure out who committed the murder and why. During this investigation there will be a “collaboration” with new police chief David McAlister.
Positive and negative sides.
Negative sides. The story has some aspects that do not add up, from my point of view.
First: why does Maiden make her statement in installments?
Second: why is McAlister, who is presented as someone who is competent in the crime field, decisively, heavily, and continuously in huge error?
Third, character interaction: I could not understand the need for such stupid interaction between Maiden and McAlister; they were annoying at times. Is that really flirting? Not even funny!
Another aspect I did not like is how Maiden, who is described as understanding and kind, and mainly her mother Gloria, behave with the cook Kylie. I personally find it extremely abusive that because they work together, they also have to be friends.
Positive sides. I had it all figured out pretty much right away, but I have to say that the crime story is well written with actual clues and various misleadings; it flows fairly well.
I feel I should point out—I hope it is not intentional—that in the book, there is body shaming and slut shaming.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 1, 2024
3.5 stars
This was a nice introduction to a new cozy mystery series. Most of the characters were quite interesting, and I could see them being expanded upon in further stories. The setting of the Harlow family inn and the small town of Golden Glen is homey and idyllic. I know that the trope of murder in a small town can sometimes feel played out, but this plot had a good feel overall for pacing and style of mystery.
My dislikes are really more to do with the writing style itself rather than the actual plotline. I just found there was an overabundance of similar adverbs that kept taking me right out of the story. How many times can one use the terms "flatly" or "mildly" to describe conversational tonality? In this particular instance, the answer is too many. I found myself grumbling in much the same way I did when I first read the Twilight book series years ago and couldn't fathom how a vampire could be described as "chuckling" nearly every single time he spoke. My two cents: there's no need to assign tone every time a character speaks. Tone can be conveyed in so many different ways; giving the same types of descriptors again and again as characters interacted only led to mounting exasperation on my part.
All things considered, I think this has a lot of potential to be a fun continuing series, and I really want to give the author another chance to wow me with these characters. As long as they're not reacting to each other "flatly" all the ding dang time I'm in for a second book.
Thanks to NetGalley and author Camille Sharp for providing a digital ARC for me to review. All opinions are my own.
This was a nice introduction to a new cozy mystery series. Most of the characters were quite interesting, and I could see them being expanded upon in further stories. The setting of the Harlow family inn and the small town of Golden Glen is homey and idyllic. I know that the trope of murder in a small town can sometimes feel played out, but this plot had a good feel overall for pacing and style of mystery.
My dislikes are really more to do with the writing style itself rather than the actual plotline. I just found there was an overabundance of similar adverbs that kept taking me right out of the story. How many times can one use the terms "flatly" or "mildly" to describe conversational tonality? In this particular instance, the answer is too many. I found myself grumbling in much the same way I did when I first read the Twilight book series years ago and couldn't fathom how a vampire could be described as "chuckling" nearly every single time he spoke. My two cents: there's no need to assign tone every time a character speaks. Tone can be conveyed in so many different ways; giving the same types of descriptors again and again as characters interacted only led to mounting exasperation on my part.
All things considered, I think this has a lot of potential to be a fun continuing series, and I really want to give the author another chance to wow me with these characters. As long as they're not reacting to each other "flatly" all the ding dang time I'm in for a second book.
Thanks to NetGalley and author Camille Sharp for providing a digital ARC for me to review. All opinions are my own.
September 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read following the family that lives in and runs the Harlow House Inn. The book is full of action and always keeps you guessing as the twists and turns unfold. The story is told from the third person perspective of the Harlow sisters and the new police chief that’s here to prove himself in the small town of Golden Glenn.
We dive straight in to getting to know the guests as they check in to the Harlow house and find their rooms. Camille Sharp does a great job at setting the scene and building the picture as if we’re right there in the lobby ourselves.
As the story began to unfold, I found myself rooting for the MFC, Maiden Harlow and the new police chief David McAllister. Throughout the book we witness their continued banter and flirtatious behaviour as they inevitably work together to solve the case of the mysterious murders that takes place.
I really enjoyed the way this story takes you through all of the different situations and scenarios that may lead to uncovering the suspects and the twists that come along with that.
However, in did find myself getting I little irritated at the MFC for her resistance in working with the police chief in the beginning and her icy attitude dispute her clear attraction to him. That being said, I did rate this a4 star. It had me gripped and was a super easy few day read for me.
I’d defo recommend this to someone that fancies a quick read that will have them gripped to the story, constantly thinking about the different possibilities in which the story was going to end. It had lots of action, easy to follow plot lines and a love interest.
We dive straight in to getting to know the guests as they check in to the Harlow house and find their rooms. Camille Sharp does a great job at setting the scene and building the picture as if we’re right there in the lobby ourselves.
As the story began to unfold, I found myself rooting for the MFC, Maiden Harlow and the new police chief David McAllister. Throughout the book we witness their continued banter and flirtatious behaviour as they inevitably work together to solve the case of the mysterious murders that takes place.
I really enjoyed the way this story takes you through all of the different situations and scenarios that may lead to uncovering the suspects and the twists that come along with that.
However, in did find myself getting I little irritated at the MFC for her resistance in working with the police chief in the beginning and her icy attitude dispute her clear attraction to him. That being said, I did rate this a4 star. It had me gripped and was a super easy few day read for me.
I’d defo recommend this to someone that fancies a quick read that will have them gripped to the story, constantly thinking about the different possibilities in which the story was going to end. It had lots of action, easy to follow plot lines and a love interest.
September 8, 2024
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
Murder Checks Inn is a thoroughly entertaining mystery novel and a great start to the series. It introduces the town of Golden Glen and some of its residents that will play a large role in future books. The characters are a little eccentric without being ridiculous and the mystery has a lot of good twists and turns without being convoluted. If Maiden is the nice one between the sisters I fear for anyone who gets on the wrong side of Von - at least when considering Maiden's interactions with McAlister. In fact, that was the only part of the book that didn't quite fit and changed the pace and tone of the story for me. I thought the two of them got angry with one another way too easily. I was also surprised that Maiden didn't give more detail about things she saw and heard so I kind of agreed with McAlister when he got frustrated with her. The murderer here was a bit of a surprise, but when you look back at everything (as Maiden did) you realize there were signs all along. As I said previously, there are lots of twists and turns here and with it being the first book in the series and not knowing any of the characters it left it wide open as to who could be killers. One thing this series has going for it is that it takes place in a somewhat large and bustling village meaning that there are plenty of possibilities for plots and killers. I'm very much looking forward to seeing more from this series!
Murder Checks Inn is a thoroughly entertaining mystery novel and a great start to the series. It introduces the town of Golden Glen and some of its residents that will play a large role in future books. The characters are a little eccentric without being ridiculous and the mystery has a lot of good twists and turns without being convoluted. If Maiden is the nice one between the sisters I fear for anyone who gets on the wrong side of Von - at least when considering Maiden's interactions with McAlister. In fact, that was the only part of the book that didn't quite fit and changed the pace and tone of the story for me. I thought the two of them got angry with one another way too easily. I was also surprised that Maiden didn't give more detail about things she saw and heard so I kind of agreed with McAlister when he got frustrated with her. The murderer here was a bit of a surprise, but when you look back at everything (as Maiden did) you realize there were signs all along. As I said previously, there are lots of twists and turns here and with it being the first book in the series and not knowing any of the characters it left it wide open as to who could be killers. One thing this series has going for it is that it takes place in a somewhat large and bustling village meaning that there are plenty of possibilities for plots and killers. I'm very much looking forward to seeing more from this series!
September 1, 2024
Murder Checks Inn is the debut cozy mystery by Camille Sharp. Maiden (yes, that's her name!) Harlow, her sister Vonny and their parents run Harlow House. The group of guests is varied. There is an obnoxious single older lady, Vera; a rumpled, aggressive man, Mr Creevey; and a few couples. There is a bank robbery in a nearby town. Two of the guests end up dead over the course of the story. There is a new police chief, Captain David McAlister. David and Maiden have some chemistry but with the ongoing investigations, nothing much happens. Maiden has a photographic memory. Her sister Vonny isn't all that likable. There are several locals, Inn staff, police, plus the guests. The suspects include Maiden, Vonny and the guests. Maiden takes chances sleuthing and getting the culprit to confess. The story started off a little slowly but the ending was good. Maiden, Vonny and David are the story tellers and the chapters are focused on one of them, which is a little different. There wasn't the warmth between characters. The parents seemed to favor Maiden, Vonny was prickly and Maiden only had a couple of casual friends. The ending was good and I wasn't sure who the culprit was until the end. I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley and Camille Sharp and I voluntarily leave this review.
#MurderChecksInn #NetGalley #CamileSharp
#MurderChecksInn #NetGalley #CamileSharp
January 2, 2025
"Murder Checks Inn" by Camille Sharp is a delightful, cosy mystery that whisks you away to the charming small town of Golden Glen, Michigan. Maiden Harlow runs her family's historic inn alongside her prickly sister, Vonne, and their amusingly eccentric parents, Gloria and Alfie. When not one but two guests turn up dead, Maiden finds herself reluctantly teaming up with the town's new and rather dashing police chief, David McAlister. Their entertaining banter, peppered with the occasional flirty remark, makes for a fun dynamic throughout the investigation.
The side characters sometimes steal the show—especially the feisty mother and the comedic father—ensuring plenty of laughs between the dark moments. While the pacing occasionally wobbles at the start, the mystery picks up steam halfway through, culminating in an unexpected reveal. The novel's strength lies in its easy-to-read style, witty character exchanges, and the small-town charm that infuses every page. If you enjoy an approachable debut mystery that balances humour, family drama, and a dash of romance, "Murder Checks Inn" is well worth a look!
The side characters sometimes steal the show—especially the feisty mother and the comedic father—ensuring plenty of laughs between the dark moments. While the pacing occasionally wobbles at the start, the mystery picks up steam halfway through, culminating in an unexpected reveal. The novel's strength lies in its easy-to-read style, witty character exchanges, and the small-town charm that infuses every page. If you enjoy an approachable debut mystery that balances humour, family drama, and a dash of romance, "Murder Checks Inn" is well worth a look!
March 28, 2025
I quite enjoyed this book for the ease and fun of reading it. It is certainly a cosy style murder mystery, a bit light hearted with plenty of quirkiness and humour. I enjoyed reading about the Inn in a quant town and I liked Maiden and her family as they all had their own personalities (as did all the characters in this book).
This is a fun, light, easy and entertaining read which is great if you just want to relax with a cuppa and enjoy a fun book. It is the first book of a series and now I look forward to seeing what Maiden and her family will get up to at the Inn in the future.
Murder Checks Inn: A Maiden Harlow Mystery - Book 1
Camille Sharp
This is a fun, light, easy and entertaining read which is great if you just want to relax with a cuppa and enjoy a fun book. It is the first book of a series and now I look forward to seeing what Maiden and her family will get up to at the Inn in the future.
Murder Checks Inn: A Maiden Harlow Mystery - Book 1
Camille Sharp
May 17, 2025
The guest may have been unpopular, but murder seems like an extreme solution and not something our heroine wants happening in her inn. Now she is going to have to solve this one to save both her inn and her reputation.
This is book one in the series, so a fine place to start.
This is a clean cozy mystery filled with plenty of humor and all the little elements you would expect from a cozy mystery. If you are looking for a gritty realistic action book with hot romance, this is not it. But if you like small towns, interesting characters and the occasional witty banter, this one should do the trick. The story is well written with an easy to follow plot, but that does not mean an easy to solve mystery. There are enough twists and turns during the investigation to keep the reader guessing until the end and only a little bit of drama. Overall it was a pleasant and relaxing read.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book one in the series, so a fine place to start.
This is a clean cozy mystery filled with plenty of humor and all the little elements you would expect from a cozy mystery. If you are looking for a gritty realistic action book with hot romance, this is not it. But if you like small towns, interesting characters and the occasional witty banter, this one should do the trick. The story is well written with an easy to follow plot, but that does not mean an easy to solve mystery. There are enough twists and turns during the investigation to keep the reader guessing until the end and only a little bit of drama. Overall it was a pleasant and relaxing read.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 2, 2025
Author Camille Sharp said in an interview that she wanted Maiden Harlow to be "someone that was clever and sexy. Also someone who made silly goofs but didn’t humiliate herself constantly". Yet, Maiden constant humiliates herself publicly by pursuing a romantic attraction to someone who acts like a jerk ... and her family encourages her.
Then, what world do we live in today that is only a heterosexual, Caucasian world? Sharp paints an unrealistic world.
Then, a small town police force, including the captain, are so unprofessional in their interactions with the main characters, yet highly skilled in forensics. Not a believable premise.
This unrealistic (and disappointing portrayal of smart woman falls for jerk guy) story falls apart in so many ways, yet it's a series that has been published. I read this and the next book in the series and then canceled my orders for the remaining books.
Then, what world do we live in today that is only a heterosexual, Caucasian world? Sharp paints an unrealistic world.
Then, a small town police force, including the captain, are so unprofessional in their interactions with the main characters, yet highly skilled in forensics. Not a believable premise.
This unrealistic (and disappointing portrayal of smart woman falls for jerk guy) story falls apart in so many ways, yet it's a series that has been published. I read this and the next book in the series and then canceled my orders for the remaining books.
August 27, 2024
There's a new top cop in town who thought he was moving from big city problems to a sleepy small town. Instead, he gets bank robbery, murders, fellow cops with brains that get switched off when looking at Mai Harlow (himself included), and a family of suspects who are beyond quirky.
The hotel guest was obnoxious and tried to get into the hotel computer, but Mai confronted and stopped him. The next morning, he was dead on the floor in his room. But not killed there. Lots of big laughs and droll humor in this really interesting murder mystery!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from the Camille Sharp (IBPA) via NetGalley. Thank you.
#MaidenHarlowMysteryBk1 #MurderChecksInn #NetGalley #NewSeries #CozyMystery
The hotel guest was obnoxious and tried to get into the hotel computer, but Mai confronted and stopped him. The next morning, he was dead on the floor in his room. But not killed there. Lots of big laughs and droll humor in this really interesting murder mystery!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from the Camille Sharp (IBPA) via NetGalley. Thank you.
#MaidenHarlowMysteryBk1 #MurderChecksInn #NetGalley #NewSeries #CozyMystery
October 23, 2024
I loved this book! The mystery had me guessing until the end, and I loved the dynamic and banter between the two main characters. I also enjoyed the family and friends, a fun group of people to spend a few hours with. And the word pictures she painted of the inn and the town made me feel like I was there, definitely looking forward to visiting Golden Glen in the next book.
The author also wrote from the perspective of both of the main characters, which I always prefer. I love being able to get an inside look at who people are and why they act and react the way that they do, it adds so much to the story. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a fun touch of romance.
The author also wrote from the perspective of both of the main characters, which I always prefer. I love being able to get an inside look at who people are and why they act and react the way that they do, it adds so much to the story. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a fun touch of romance.
October 7, 2024
Murder Checks Inn is a cosy murder mystery set in Harlow House, in the story book town of Golden Glen.
Unfortunately this book was not for me; there was too much flirting which I felt overpowered the murders and investigation. Also, I found the main characters quite annoying, though, Maiden did grow on me as the book progressed.
I did like the way that the story was wrapped up in the last two chapters, and feel that there is potential for developments in the story line for future books in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest review.
Unfortunately this book was not for me; there was too much flirting which I felt overpowered the murders and investigation. Also, I found the main characters quite annoying, though, Maiden did grow on me as the book progressed.
I did like the way that the story was wrapped up in the last two chapters, and feel that there is potential for developments in the story line for future books in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest review.
July 22, 2025
I really love the cover art for this book. It hits the mark with a murder at a hotel.
Now the story, fell a bit short for me. Very predictable. But, the characters were interesting and I liked the setting. I hate to say this but it was predictable enough that I could skim sections and not miss anything. For me, it's a subpar cozy murder mystery. But I do have book 2 ready to read and I will give the series another try. I do recommend this for someone who wants a simple read; just know that it is a typical cozy.
This is my honest review and simply my opinion. 2.5 stars.
Thank you #netgalley and #CamilleSharp for the opportunity read and review this eArc.
Now the story, fell a bit short for me. Very predictable. But, the characters were interesting and I liked the setting. I hate to say this but it was predictable enough that I could skim sections and not miss anything. For me, it's a subpar cozy murder mystery. But I do have book 2 ready to read and I will give the series another try. I do recommend this for someone who wants a simple read; just know that it is a typical cozy.
This is my honest review and simply my opinion. 2.5 stars.
Thank you #netgalley and #CamilleSharp for the opportunity read and review this eArc.
August 25, 2024
#MurderChecksInn #NetGalley is the first book I've read by this author.
The book isn't bad, but I did find some of the characters to be annoying.
Maiden works at her family's bed and breakfast, and when a curious customer checks in, murder becomes prominent in the story.
The story isn't bad, but the parents and sister weren't favorites.
There were a lot of attempts at flirting and matchmaking that interrupted the story, other than that, it was fairly good.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
The book isn't bad, but I did find some of the characters to be annoying.
Maiden works at her family's bed and breakfast, and when a curious customer checks in, murder becomes prominent in the story.
The story isn't bad, but the parents and sister weren't favorites.
There were a lot of attempts at flirting and matchmaking that interrupted the story, other than that, it was fairly good.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
August 22, 2024
Fans of the Gilmore Girls would love this setting-- Golden Glen is a beautiful small town with an inn. Until, of course, murder checks into it. Crime needs rooms and this hotel has a growing list of vacancies.
The vibes and the characters were very fun, but the writing felt casual. I feel like that might come across better in an audiobook than a text format, but it didn't hook me all the time which is what I want in a murder mystery. Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC of this book! :)
The vibes and the characters were very fun, but the writing felt casual. I feel like that might come across better in an audiobook than a text format, but it didn't hook me all the time which is what I want in a murder mystery. Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC of this book! :)
August 26, 2024
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with a splash of romance and lots of laughs, Murder Checks Inn is your next read! 🕵️♀️💕 Maiden Harlow is the perfect mix of wit and clumsiness as she navigates the chaos of a murder mystery in her family’s inn. With quirky characters, a dose of romance with the new cop, and enough twists to keep you guessing, this book is a total page-turner! Grab it, get comfy, and enjoy the ride! 📚✨
August 27, 2024
This is a cozy mystery that includes a bank robbery and murder. The characters are realistic and relatable with some sparks from Maiden and Captain McAlister. Maiden's sister, Vonnie, is a grumpy puss and their parents are a little kooky. Set in a small town gossip is king. Great start to a new series and author. Can't wait to read what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 19, 2025
Murder Checks Inn by Camille Sharp is a delightful cozy mystery filled with charm, wit, and just the right amount of suspense. Set in a quaint inn with secrets behind every door, this first installment in the Maiden Harlow Mystery series introduces readers to a lovable cast of characters and an intriguing whodunit. With sharp writing and clever twists, it's a perfect read for fans of lighthearted mysteries.
August 27, 2024
Murder Checks Inn delivers a delightful mix of humor, romance, and mystery set in the charming Golden Glen. Maiden Harlow's life takes a dramatic turn when a guest is found murdered in her family's inn, and she becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue involving feuding guests, a bank robbery, and a second murder. This was enjoyable read with plenty of twists and turns.
September 2, 2024
A small town historical Inn seems to harbor a bevy of secrets and dark intentions, alongside st least one bad actor.
Flirting, flaunting attitude, and some quick mop work are fun features of the murderous and lethally humorous adventures and mishaps.
Crime solving family style, with cute, charming and crazy characters.
Flirting, flaunting attitude, and some quick mop work are fun features of the murderous and lethally humorous adventures and mishaps.
Crime solving family style, with cute, charming and crazy characters.
September 8, 2024
This is book 1 of A Maiden Harlow mystery series. Maiden is the main character who seems over exhausted with running the hotel that her parents own. A suspicious customer is found dead. A little romance, an attitude from a few characters, and drama. A fun laughable book and look forward to reading more from this series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 14, 2025
Great fun!
I loved Smith --a minor character, perhaps, but so human with his goofy ways, completely unexpected for a police officer but a welcome smile. The tension between Maiden and the new police captain was another fun aside, and this was a well written cozy that leaves me wanting the next!
I loved Smith --a minor character, perhaps, but so human with his goofy ways, completely unexpected for a police officer but a welcome smile. The tension between Maiden and the new police captain was another fun aside, and this was a well written cozy that leaves me wanting the next!
November 10, 2024
fun and exciting cozy
An intriguing mystery that pulls you in from the start, with a fun cast of characters - and exciting discoveries. Maiden Harlow is a mix of Nancy Drew and one of Agatha Christie’s famous sleuths.
An intriguing mystery that pulls you in from the start, with a fun cast of characters - and exciting discoveries. Maiden Harlow is a mix of Nancy Drew and one of Agatha Christie’s famous sleuths.
December 30, 2024
an enjoyable read
This is an incredibly enjoyable read Camille Sharp has obviously put a lot of heart into. It has all the elements of classic mysteries which I enjoyed a lot. I will definitely be checking out more Maiden Harlow mysteries.
This is an incredibly enjoyable read Camille Sharp has obviously put a lot of heart into. It has all the elements of classic mysteries which I enjoyed a lot. I will definitely be checking out more Maiden Harlow mysteries.
May 6, 2025
3.5 stars. An enjoyable start to this cozy mystery series! I enjoy the inn setting and love the family subplots woven throughout this book. More romance-heavy than most cozies.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
February 4, 2026
Light hearted
I'm not sure you should call a murder mystery light hearted, but that's how I would describe this book. I just felt it was light, refreshing, and a pleasant change of pace from the darker books I've been reading.
I'm not sure you should call a murder mystery light hearted, but that's how I would describe this book. I just felt it was light, refreshing, and a pleasant change of pace from the darker books I've been reading.
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