A Fair Chance of Murder: A Maiden Harlow Mystery - Book2

Maiden Harlow #2

by Camille Sharp

A Dark Cozy Mystery Full of Carnival Secrets, Small Town Suspense, and a Sassy Amateur Sleuth

Golden Glen’s annual Summerfest is supposed to be the highlight of the season complete with sunshine, food stalls, carnival rides, and small‑town charm. But when the traveling Spencer & Spencer Carnival rolls in, it brings more than Ferris wheels and funnel cakes. It brings secrets, grudges and a killer.

When one of the carnival’s most despised members turns up dead, the celebration screeches to a halt. Even worse, Maiden Harlow’s father becomes the prime suspect, thrusting Maiden straight into the heart of a dangerous mystery.

Determined to clear her father’s name, Maiden dives into the carnival’s shadowy underbelly. Behind the bright lights and cheerful music lurk bitter rivalries, hidden relationships, and long‑buried betrayals. Every clue pulls her deeper into a world where nothing is what it seems and everyone has something to hide.

With the sharp‑eyed and frustratingly charming Captain McAlister watching her every move, Maiden must stay one step ahead of a murderer who’s determined to keep their secrets buried. If she’s not careful, she might become the next attraction in this deadly show.

If you love twisty plots, carnival‑themed mysteries, and stories where cozy meets chilling, you’ll be hooked by A Fair Chance of Murder. Perfect for fans of dark cozy mysteries, small‑town whodunits, and fearless, witty heroines.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2024

About the author

I 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.

Reviews

[✧*̥˚Rachel*̥˚✧ · Rating 2 out of 5]

~Murder-mystery, Small-town, Plot-twists, and more!~

A Fair Chance of Murder by Camille Sharp follows Maiden Harlow at the Summerfest carnival in her hometown of Golden Glen. After the last murder at Maiden and her family's business, Harlow House, Maiden is more than ready to ditch all the attention that came with solving the murder. With the carnival in town, she is prepared to relax with her family and enjoy the rides. So when Maiden and her sister, Vonny, stumble upon a body, Maiden knows things are about to get anything but relaxing, especially since her father is one of the suspects. As Maiden starts sleuthing, she realizes things aren't as they seem, with lies, secrets, and betrayal riddling the employees. Will Maiden be able to figure out who did it before things get worse? And will she and Captain McAlister be able to keep things civil?

2| Rating this book was hard. The actual story is great. I loved the descriptions of scenery in the beginning, though it did taper off as the story went on. I enjoyed seeing Maiden and Vonny's relationship in the beginning, even though I wish her presence were a bit more consistent. It also seemed like the Kylie and Gloria storyline disappeared aswell and was only briefly resolved at the end. It seemed too much like an afterthought to me. One part I loved was Miaden and Captain McAlister's banter and dynamic. It was fun to read their interactions. The mystery was great, with lots of twists and turns with secrets coming out constantly. I liked getting to see more of Maiden's interaction with her father. The overall continuation from the last book to this one was well done. The continued library book storyline was a fun touch, and I enjoyed the banter we got through it. Though there were a lot of new characters at once, I did enjoy the new places we got to see, like the cafe. I did wish we got to see more of the Inn. It was only mentioned in passing; I missed some of the day-to-day we got in the last book.

My main issue with this book, and honestly the only reason I rated it so low, is the offensive language towards weight. This may be due partly to the writing style, which I still think clashes with this story and causes a bit of confusion at certain points. Besides Maiden's figure and looks constantly being mentioned throughout the book, weight was also used to put certain characters down. At one point, it was even said a character was "too skinny" to get pregnant, which was used as an insult. At another point, a character was straight-up called overweight, but that didn't matter because their bright clothes distracted from it. It's just odd and offensive language that could have easily been avoided. Not to mention that Bille was called plain-spoken multiple times. Again just strange that so much emphasis was put on that.

Overall, this story has a lot of potential. I hate that my rating is so low because I genuinely enjoyed so much of this story. If the offensive weight talk was taken out, this could easily be a 4-star read. There is so much potential with the characters and story here. This author can write a fantastic mystery, no doubt, and I loved the descriptions of the scenery in the beginning. If things were more constant and the lanugue was less offensive, this would have been 5 stars. I hope this language is fixed for the next book because I enjoy the characters and the story the author has created.

*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*

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Camille Sharp’s A Fair Chance of Murder is a delightful addition to the mystery genre, offering readers a charming blend of small-town intrigue, colorful characters, and a captivating whodunit. Set in the picturesque town of Golden Glen, this novel is the second installment in the Maiden Harlow Mystery series and continues to build on the engaging world Sharp has created.

The story unfolds during Golden Glen’s annual Summerfest, a time of celebration that turns sinister when a visiting carnival worker is murdered. The victim, known for being one of the most disliked members of the traveling show, leaves behind a trail of suspects and motives. Maiden Harlow’s father, Alfie, becomes a prime suspect, addicting emotional depth to the story. Determined to clear her father’s name, Maiden dives into the investigation, uncovering secrets and navigating the complexities of carnival life.

Maiden Harlow is a standout protagonist—intelligent, resourceful, and deeply loyal to her family. Her determination to solve the mystery and protect her father adds emotional depth to the story. The quirky residents of Golden Glen and the enigmatic carnival performers, add richness to this novel. Each character brings their own unique flavor to the story, making the town of Golden Glen feel vibrant and alive.

A Fair Chance of Murder explores themes of loyalty, justice, and the hidden lives of seemingly ordinary people. Sharp’s writing is engaging and witty, with a perfect balance of suspense and humor. The dialogue is sharp, and the descriptions vividly bring the setting and characters to life.

Camille Sharp has crafted a cozy mystery that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. A Fair Chance of Murder is a testament to her skill as a storyteller, offering a clever plot, engaging characters, and a charming setting. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Maiden Harlow series or a newcomer, this book is sure to delight with its clever twists and turns.

Highly recommended for fans of mysteries and anyone looking for a delightful escape into the world of Golden Glen.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd book in the series, better than the first.

I'm sure that sounds a bit harsh, but it truly is my honest opinion which #netgalley requests. I referred the first book in the series as subpar and predictable. Book two has redeemed the story for me. Mostly. This time, there wasn't any skimming the story on my part. Our characters are back with Maiden and her family running their hotel. Bonus points for including the first book's events in a way that wasn't washed out and quickly put to the side. The locals are still gossiping and looking for information on the first murder that Maiden helped solve and she speaks plainly that it hasn't gone to trial yet and she shouldn't speak about it. It's a clever way to inform the reader of the previous murder that made it feel more "natural". More real. She's still dealing with the aftermath of that murder and has to continue with her daily life.

Maiden and her sister Vonny take a day off from their family hotel to attend their local fair. A pleasant day out with her sister turns into a nightmare when they discover a body of one of the carnival's workers. The body count starts there. Enough that you would think you had a serial killer. This leads to Maiden dealing with the Police Captain again.

Now. This was a 5 star cozy for me until about 2/3 of the way through. That's when the witty banter, not so subtle flirting and winks and encouragement from the family for Maiden and the Captain became over kill. Yes, there's an attraction. Yes they make a good team but are trying to deny their feelings for each other. Her mother and sister and pretty much everyone that sees them together knows they have the hots for each other. And it starts to get annoying. I know Camille Sharp is trying to give it a romcom spin. And it's not horrible. Just the constant swooning and referencing to how every man want's Maiden (and she knows it) and the Captain is jealous and how they have to control their desire for each other is too much.

Still, it's a 4 star read for the story, characters and setting and I will continue with the series.

Thank you #CamilleSharp for the eArc.

[Shireen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is the second in a new cozy mystery series from author Camille Sharp. Maiden Harlow is just coming down from the high of helping Golden Glen's new police captain solve the recent murders in her family's inn. Now, Summerfest has officially arrived in their small hamlet and the carnival coming to town means crazy rides, delicious fair food, and carnival fun for everyone. Or does it? Almost immediately, Maiden is yet again drawn into a web of murder, mystery, deceit and danger seemingly lurking around every corner of the fair. And when her dad pops up as one of the possible suspects, Maiden is determined - regardless of her burgeoning feelings for the hunky, sarcastic captain - to clear his name and solve the crime.

I have to admit that I was a bit harsh critiquing the writing style of the first book, but was willing to give it another go round because I enjoy the characters and thought it might mellow out for the second book. And I was right! Honestly, some of my initial critiques are still valid (I don't love the propensity of the author to use descriptors/adverbs in every other sentence to convey tone) BUT this story drew me in much more easily than the first one. I think perhaps the setting of a travelling carnival really helped bring in some strong secondary characters that propelled the plot in an engaging way. I'm looking forward to a third book in the series to see where the characters end up next!

Thanks to NetGalley and author Camille Sharp for giving me access to a free digital advanced readers copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided voluntarily.

[Uma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Reading this book was such a delight!
It was cosy, it was funny, it was captivating.

This is the second book that follows Maiden Harlow’s adventures: while enjoying the local carnival with her sister, they stumble upon a dead body.
This leads Maiden to an investigation to find out who the killer is, and in between some quirky and cute banters with the captain of the police, and a bit too many pies, she unravels the mystery behind the murder.

I liked how the story was presented and how there was the right balance between seriousness and fun.
The unravel of the chain of events kept me engaged to the book, and the relationships between the main character and the characters around her were funny and interesting to read about. The author described the conversations so beautifully that it felt like I was there with them.

I never read the sub-genre “cosy thriller” before, therefore it took me a bit of time to get used to the style of writing. Nonetheless, I recommend this book, and I will definitely catch up with the other books written by the author, Camille Sharp.

Thank you NetGalley, BookBuzz and the author for granting me an e-arc!

[Joan Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maiden's father, who is a woodworker displaying his wares at the local fair, is implicated in the murder of a much-disliked member of the fair staff. Maiden and her sister are ones who literally stumbled upon the body in the house of mirrors. Maiden has a history with the local captain who must investigate the crime. She seeks to clear her father's name without getting in the captain's way.

I enjoy cozy mysteries, but I couldn't connect with the main character in this one. If I had read book one in the series, perhaps I would have understood the relationship dynamic between Maiden and the police captain, but it seemed that there was unwarranted animosity on her part. I felt that the book should have been set in the late 1800s -- their relationship would have made more sense in a historical context. About a third of the way through, I simply didn't care about the relationship nor the solution to the crime.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second Maiden Harlow mystery finds Maiden investigating after a member of the traveling carnival is found dead. One of her dad's birdhouses was found by the body, and he had been recently seen arguing with the victim. Maiden sets out to find the real culprit to prevent her dad from going to jail.

I hadn't read the first one in this series, so I was not expecting the format of having chapters both from Maiden and from McAllister (the love interest and main detective). There was a much higher romance novel type presence in this one. Not like normal cozy mystery romances but rather like lots of thoughts about wanting/not wanting to be with the other person and "I wish I didn't find them so attractive." It was a little too much for me for a cozy as I thought it did take away from the mystery. I would read the next in the series and give it a chance, but it didn't blow me away enough for me to go back and read the first one.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was first drawn to the cover of this book, so I didn't bother to look further into it. This is the second Maiden Harlow book with a third releasing in a few days.

Once I received this book (Thank you, NetGalley), I got right to it. I didn't set my hopes too high because there weren't many reviews for it. I was so shocked at how well this book was written. It was such a fun read and falls heavily into the 'YA/cozy thriller' category. It is also still a very good stand alone read. I love how sarcastic and sassy both Harlow sisters were, but I wish Vonny was more prevalent in the entire book and not just the beginning. The inner monologues of Maiden and David were a little cheesy, but doesn't kill the overall vibe.

I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this book. I look forward to the next one, and will be reading the first one as well!

[I would also like to see this book about a hamster stealing building supplies]

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author, I know it's only the second book, but her style of writing is witty and fun. And I felt like I was actually there, walking through the fairgrounds, enjoying a beautiful summer day.
The story was great, I enjoyed following Maiden not only through another really interesting mystery but also being there with her as the relationship with McAlister continued to develop. I really enjoy their interactions, and I enjoy having both points of view throughout the story, so much richer with both sides being shared. It was nice seeing more of her relationships with her family as well, particularly her dad, I definitely have a soft spot for him.
I highly recommend this book, and I'm definitely going to read the next one.

[Emily Symank · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a cozy mystery, with an emphasis on cozy. I felt like most of the focus was on the relationship between Maiden and the police captain, David. They do a lot of flirting in the form of throwing snipes at one another. Personally, I’m not big on that form of romance, but I know many people LOVE that style, so no judgment.

As previously mentioned, the mystery component served more as a background for the book. I was disappointed when the culprit gave themself away quite obviously toward the end. However, this is less of an issue for readers who are here for the romance/cozy atmosphere rather than the mystery part. The ideal reader for this book would be someone who enjoys Jane Austen-esque fight-flirting, cozy summer ambiences, and who is less interested in cracking puzzles or delving into the machinations of a criminal mastermind.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder-mystery
Small town
Plot twists and turns
A very very slow burn

I loved the relationship between Captain Anderson and Maiden with all the witty banter and clear romantic tension. The storyline of solving suspicious deaths in a town carnival is compelling, but I did feel some of the story dragged. The descriptions of the attractions, especially the mirror maze and fun house were great for visualization and I never knew who the next suspect or victim would be.

Overall a solid 4⭐️ read if you like a lighter murder-mystery

[Abigail L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a hint of carnival mischief, A Fair Chance of Murder is a delightful ride! Maiden is a sharp, determined protagonist whose quest to clear her father’s name keeps the suspense building. The plot twists through carnival tents, rivalries, and secrets, making each chapter feel more exciting than the last. What I loved most was the combination of humor and tension—it kept me hooked from the very first page. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy sleuthing alongside witty, lovable characters.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step right up, folks! A Fair Chance of Murder takes you on a rollercoaster ride through carnival secrets, betrayals, and—yep—murder. Maiden’s got her hands full trying to save her dad from being the main suspect, and the whole thing is a wild mix of mystery, humor, and small-town drama. It’s like a cotton candy-coated whodunit with extra twists! If you love snappy heroines and a plot that keeps you guessing, you have to read this book. 🎡🔍

[Danielle (cozycoffeebook_) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really loved the ending but the first book to this series was much better unfortunately. There was attempt at banter but for me it just didn’t hit right unfortunately. And it seemed to be more of the focus than the actual storyline.

[Alwaysreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this murder mystery!!

A good read to cozy up with, set in a small town. Highly recommend!

[Kyley Rigelman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise, but the writing style was a bit amateur

[Tabitha Cabrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice mystery

A nice read, the story was thoughtfully written. I enjoyed that the places in the book were places the author visited

[Mia Novelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow in some parts, but a true Maiden Harlow murder at best