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Murder Bites
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10 copies available
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A city transplant in a dog-obsessed small town becomes the prime suspect when the local dog walker is murdered in this delightfully quirky cozy mystery.
A LITERARY HUB MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE YEAR
Margot Cartwright is not exactly blending in with the residents of Glenville, South Carolina. An unwilling transplant from Washington, D.C., Margot feels like a fish out of water among the Lululemon-wearing, tiny-dog-owning, non-New Yorker-reading locals who are clamoring to have their fur babies star on Pawsh, a reality TV show about couture canines. (Sure, Margot loves her dog, but Sid Vicious is far too cool of a mutt for a show like that!) She even feels like an outcast amongst her family, and after she’s caught channeling her inner “Robin Hood” by stealing her neighbors’ pro-Pawsh signs, further cementing her title as the neighborhood pariah, she thinks things can’t possibly get any worse, right?
Wrong. When the local dog walker is killed in a bizarre incident involving an over-the-top Halloween display featuring multiple Home Depot skeletons, all eyes turn to Margot. To clear her name and save her family from falling apart, Margot vows to find the real killer before they strike again—but she can’t do it alone.
Enter Anne, a glamorous septuagenarian widow determined to maintain her reign over the HOA, and Sally-Claire, a "Mom Life" sweatshirt-clad member of the “Mommy Mafia” who might not be as perfect as she seems. Together, the unlikely trio (along with their canine companions) dives into the mystery, navigating the quirky and secretive world of Glenville’s residents. Can they solve the case before it’s too late, or will Margot’s reputation be permanently dog-eared?
A LITERARY HUB MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE YEAR
Margot Cartwright is not exactly blending in with the residents of Glenville, South Carolina. An unwilling transplant from Washington, D.C., Margot feels like a fish out of water among the Lululemon-wearing, tiny-dog-owning, non-New Yorker-reading locals who are clamoring to have their fur babies star on Pawsh, a reality TV show about couture canines. (Sure, Margot loves her dog, but Sid Vicious is far too cool of a mutt for a show like that!) She even feels like an outcast amongst her family, and after she’s caught channeling her inner “Robin Hood” by stealing her neighbors’ pro-Pawsh signs, further cementing her title as the neighborhood pariah, she thinks things can’t possibly get any worse, right?
Wrong. When the local dog walker is killed in a bizarre incident involving an over-the-top Halloween display featuring multiple Home Depot skeletons, all eyes turn to Margot. To clear her name and save her family from falling apart, Margot vows to find the real killer before they strike again—but she can’t do it alone.
Enter Anne, a glamorous septuagenarian widow determined to maintain her reign over the HOA, and Sally-Claire, a "Mom Life" sweatshirt-clad member of the “Mommy Mafia” who might not be as perfect as she seems. Together, the unlikely trio (along with their canine companions) dives into the mystery, navigating the quirky and secretive world of Glenville’s residents. Can they solve the case before it’s too late, or will Margot’s reputation be permanently dog-eared?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 4, 2026
About the author
Mimi Montgomery
1 book10 followersMIMI MONTGOMERY is a journalist and author who’s written for outlets like Axios, The Washington Post, Washingtonian, Garden & Gun, and Outside Magazine, and her reporting has been featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Inside Edition, and CNN, among others. Mimi attended the University of Virginia and has a master’s from Georgetown University. Originally from North Carolina, she lives in D.C. with her family and several furry dependents.
Her first novel, MURDER BITES, will be published Aug. 4, 2026, with Bantam and is now available for preorder.
Her first novel, MURDER BITES, will be published Aug. 4, 2026, with Bantam and is now available for preorder.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for review!
well this was fun! super campy and darkly funny and really just a ton of fun, all while delivering a message of the importance of friendship (with both humans and dogs).
this did admittedly take me a good bit to get into - the comedy is laid on so saccharinely thick that it was hard for me to start appreciating the story behind all of the jokes. also, while i respect and imperfect character, my own Issues and Trauma™️ kept me from fully rooting for margot (especially at the end.........like youre not in a place to "forgive" your daughter for leaving if youre the one who drove her away but whatever lmao).
ultimately this was an interesting and memorable switch up from the thrillers that i usually read. i loved how the book still contained heartfelt and touching moments that highlighted the individual humanities of each character while not taking itself too seriously as a whole. this is sure to be a festive, palate-cleansing read for spooky season 2026!
well this was fun! super campy and darkly funny and really just a ton of fun, all while delivering a message of the importance of friendship (with both humans and dogs).
this did admittedly take me a good bit to get into - the comedy is laid on so saccharinely thick that it was hard for me to start appreciating the story behind all of the jokes. also, while i respect and imperfect character, my own Issues and Trauma™️ kept me from fully rooting for margot (especially at the end.........like youre not in a place to "forgive" your daughter for leaving if youre the one who drove her away but whatever lmao).
ultimately this was an interesting and memorable switch up from the thrillers that i usually read. i loved how the book still contained heartfelt and touching moments that highlighted the individual humanities of each character while not taking itself too seriously as a whole. this is sure to be a festive, palate-cleansing read for spooky season 2026!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I admit, I chose this book because of the dogs. Murder mysteries with dogs are very hard for me to resist. "Murder Bites" by Mimi Montgomery is a lighthearted cozy mystery that follows an activist woman who moves to a dog-obsessed small town and finds herself deeply entangled in a murder case, with herself as the prime suspect.
Margot Cartwright moved to Glendale from Washington, D.C., with her family after her husband inherited his parents’ home and the family bank. She feels like a fish out of water among the locals and is a social pariah due to her many protests and her superior attitude. Her daughter left town and cut contact after a falling-out revealed later in the book. Margot feels lonely, sad, and angry, and blames everyone except herself for the estrangement. She makes protesting her life’s work (zealous is the word). After a protest on the first day of filming of “Paws”, a purebred dog reality show, goes wrong, Margot becomes even more isolated than before.
The plot thickens when a local dog walker, Margot’s nemesis, is murdered and Margot becomes the prime suspect due to her many antics, which made her unpopular. When there is a second murder, it puts her in even deeper water, enlarges the cracks in her marriage, and damages the relationship with her son. She becomes the scapegoat for every small incident. Help comes from unexpected quarters. Together with Anne, a septuagenarian and the head of the HOA, Sally-Claire, a member of the “Mommy Mafia", and her loyal canine, Sid, Margot tries to solve the case before the book is thrown at her.
Overall, I liked the book, the humor, the wit, and the quirky characters. The writing was a bit busy, with side plots of the contest, the name-dropping, and the activist streak slowing the pace in places. It explores themes of family, friendship, community, suburban living, bullying, environmental concerns, choices, and finding purpose. There is also the question of doing something bad for a good purpose, which I didn’t agree with.
I didn’t like most of the characters except Anne. I liked Sally-Claire once she grew a backbone. I had a hard time relating to Margot at first. I am all for adopting dogs and against the dog-breeding industry, but Margot was too radical for me with her insane actions, judgmental attitude, and righteous mindset. I thought the event leading to the estrangement with the daughter was unbelievable and a bit of a stretch. Two years without contact seemed too much for such an event. I also didn’t like Margot’s husband and his lack of support. He was a weak character, all said and done.
I liked that all three women went through personal developments. Despite their differences, they managed to find common ground in their shared sense of feeling adrift and eventually found new purpose in their lives. The author went to great lengths to present Margot as an outsider, turning her into an unlikeable and over-the-top character. I understood why Margot acted the way she did, but her characterization often felt overdone. Many times I wanted to shake her and bring her to her senses. “Don’t judge a book by its cover” fits here to a tee, and I liked the gradual revealing of the women’s personalities. They had more sides to them than first appeared at a glance.
All in all, this was a good read, just not quite as great as I expected. I appreciated the mystery and disliked how the town pinned the murders on Margot simply because she didn’t fit their expectations and beliefs. I did enjoy the character growth and the twists. I didn’t guess the identity of the murderer, always a bonus, and was satisfied with the conclusion. The mystery kept me guessing even when Margot drove me up the wall. I rate the book 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to fans of witty, humorous cozy mysteries.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...
Margot Cartwright moved to Glendale from Washington, D.C., with her family after her husband inherited his parents’ home and the family bank. She feels like a fish out of water among the locals and is a social pariah due to her many protests and her superior attitude. Her daughter left town and cut contact after a falling-out revealed later in the book. Margot feels lonely, sad, and angry, and blames everyone except herself for the estrangement. She makes protesting her life’s work (zealous is the word). After a protest on the first day of filming of “Paws”, a purebred dog reality show, goes wrong, Margot becomes even more isolated than before.
The plot thickens when a local dog walker, Margot’s nemesis, is murdered and Margot becomes the prime suspect due to her many antics, which made her unpopular. When there is a second murder, it puts her in even deeper water, enlarges the cracks in her marriage, and damages the relationship with her son. She becomes the scapegoat for every small incident. Help comes from unexpected quarters. Together with Anne, a septuagenarian and the head of the HOA, Sally-Claire, a member of the “Mommy Mafia", and her loyal canine, Sid, Margot tries to solve the case before the book is thrown at her.
Overall, I liked the book, the humor, the wit, and the quirky characters. The writing was a bit busy, with side plots of the contest, the name-dropping, and the activist streak slowing the pace in places. It explores themes of family, friendship, community, suburban living, bullying, environmental concerns, choices, and finding purpose. There is also the question of doing something bad for a good purpose, which I didn’t agree with.
I didn’t like most of the characters except Anne. I liked Sally-Claire once she grew a backbone. I had a hard time relating to Margot at first. I am all for adopting dogs and against the dog-breeding industry, but Margot was too radical for me with her insane actions, judgmental attitude, and righteous mindset. I thought the event leading to the estrangement with the daughter was unbelievable and a bit of a stretch. Two years without contact seemed too much for such an event. I also didn’t like Margot’s husband and his lack of support. He was a weak character, all said and done.
I liked that all three women went through personal developments. Despite their differences, they managed to find common ground in their shared sense of feeling adrift and eventually found new purpose in their lives. The author went to great lengths to present Margot as an outsider, turning her into an unlikeable and over-the-top character. I understood why Margot acted the way she did, but her characterization often felt overdone. Many times I wanted to shake her and bring her to her senses. “Don’t judge a book by its cover” fits here to a tee, and I liked the gradual revealing of the women’s personalities. They had more sides to them than first appeared at a glance.
All in all, this was a good read, just not quite as great as I expected. I appreciated the mystery and disliked how the town pinned the murders on Margot simply because she didn’t fit their expectations and beliefs. I did enjoy the character growth and the twists. I didn’t guess the identity of the murderer, always a bonus, and was satisfied with the conclusion. The mystery kept me guessing even when Margot drove me up the wall. I rate the book 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to fans of witty, humorous cozy mysteries.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of Advance Reader’s copy of an uncorrected ebook file
The first day of filming of “Pawsh” in Glendale, South Carolina has everyone in a tizzy. Margot Cartwright, who moved to this small town from Washington, D.C., is protesting the designer dog trend, advocating for adopting dogs who need homes. Glendale, after all, is filled with dog owners using their designer dogs to bring them fame.
Her interruption of the reality show taping infuriates the townspeople; when they begin throwing plastic bottles at her dog, Sid Vicious, she abandons her protest and runs out.
It isn’t long before the local dogwalker ends up dead and Margot becomes the main suspect. Determined to find the truth, she sets out to find the murderer and clear her name.
But can she survive the wrath of the town?
=========
Glendale is a dog-obsessed town, but the people are not always likeable. Filled with humor, the mystery is likely to remind readers of a madcap comedy. At the heart of the story, readers will find the examination of friendship. There’s plenty of neighborhood drama tossed into the unfolding tale; readers will find the action moves rather quickly.
Although the mystery is intriguing, the humor is often crass and cringe-worthy. Additionally, the overuse of a particularly loathsome [and unnecessary] expletive is likely to offend many readers and lowers the rating for this book.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Ballantine / Bantam and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#MurderBites #NetGalley
The first day of filming of “Pawsh” in Glendale, South Carolina has everyone in a tizzy. Margot Cartwright, who moved to this small town from Washington, D.C., is protesting the designer dog trend, advocating for adopting dogs who need homes. Glendale, after all, is filled with dog owners using their designer dogs to bring them fame.
Her interruption of the reality show taping infuriates the townspeople; when they begin throwing plastic bottles at her dog, Sid Vicious, she abandons her protest and runs out.
It isn’t long before the local dogwalker ends up dead and Margot becomes the main suspect. Determined to find the truth, she sets out to find the murderer and clear her name.
But can she survive the wrath of the town?
=========
Glendale is a dog-obsessed town, but the people are not always likeable. Filled with humor, the mystery is likely to remind readers of a madcap comedy. At the heart of the story, readers will find the examination of friendship. There’s plenty of neighborhood drama tossed into the unfolding tale; readers will find the action moves rather quickly.
Although the mystery is intriguing, the humor is often crass and cringe-worthy. Additionally, the overuse of a particularly loathsome [and unnecessary] expletive is likely to offend many readers and lowers the rating for this book.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Ballantine / Bantam and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#MurderBites #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC for review. To be published April 4, 2026.
3 stars
The blurb for this book describes it as a cozy mystery and I agree with that, but I know some cozy fans don’t like any sign of bad language (which means they wouldn’t like me either, now that I think about it) and there is some here.
The book features Margot, a social justice warrior who is now the ultimate fish out of water after moving from DC to a small South Carolina town. She has run afoul of the ladies of the town more than once and now she must defend herself against murder allegations amid the taping of a reality show about those grownup mean girls and their spoiled designer dogs (the dogs are actually lovely, BTW.)
The book is fun, despite the fact that Margot is a bit of an idiot. I really would have enjoyed it more had she not been such a bumbler who makes a wrong turn nearly every time she is given the opportunity. I get that she is meant to be the heroine, but sometimes I wanted to punch her.
However, for me, the book was saved by the delightful Ann, whom I loved. She is the town’s elder stateswoman, who smokes with zero f*cks (see how I was nice enough not to type the actual word? Am I turning over a new leaf? No. No, I am not.) given and uses a Taser on squirrels out her window all while wearing Chanel. Now HERE is a hero. This is the woman I want to be. I don’t smoke, but maybe I should think about it?
3 stars
The blurb for this book describes it as a cozy mystery and I agree with that, but I know some cozy fans don’t like any sign of bad language (which means they wouldn’t like me either, now that I think about it) and there is some here.
The book features Margot, a social justice warrior who is now the ultimate fish out of water after moving from DC to a small South Carolina town. She has run afoul of the ladies of the town more than once and now she must defend herself against murder allegations amid the taping of a reality show about those grownup mean girls and their spoiled designer dogs (the dogs are actually lovely, BTW.)
The book is fun, despite the fact that Margot is a bit of an idiot. I really would have enjoyed it more had she not been such a bumbler who makes a wrong turn nearly every time she is given the opportunity. I get that she is meant to be the heroine, but sometimes I wanted to punch her.
However, for me, the book was saved by the delightful Ann, whom I loved. She is the town’s elder stateswoman, who smokes with zero f*cks (see how I was nice enough not to type the actual word? Am I turning over a new leaf? No. No, I am not.) given and uses a Taser on squirrels out her window all while wearing Chanel. Now HERE is a hero. This is the woman I want to be. I don’t smoke, but maybe I should think about it?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“Murder Bites” is stinking hilarious. Sure, there is a mystery, and dead bodies, and possible dog-knapping. All the things to make a good book. But bring your oxygen tank because you are going to laugh a lot and could possibly pass out from the lack of oxygen.
At the very beginning, I was getting a bit worried. I thought it was going to be a preachy political novel wrapped around a mystery. Pretty soon, I was laughing at the caricatures of the political leanings of the characters.
There is one teeny-weeny complaint. 85% of the jokes landed for me. However, the author leaned in to being crass for laughs a few times too many. Think Janet Evanovich without a filter. The biggest problem was that for the most part, the crassness didn’t really bring a laugh. It felt more cringe than anything else. It was almost like a little child trying to be “naughty” just to get attention. The book was too funny for those cheap tricks.
That one minor complaint aside, I loved this book. I seriously haven’t laughed this hard at a book in a long time.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
At the very beginning, I was getting a bit worried. I thought it was going to be a preachy political novel wrapped around a mystery. Pretty soon, I was laughing at the caricatures of the political leanings of the characters.
There is one teeny-weeny complaint. 85% of the jokes landed for me. However, the author leaned in to being crass for laughs a few times too many. Think Janet Evanovich without a filter. The biggest problem was that for the most part, the crassness didn’t really bring a laugh. It felt more cringe than anything else. It was almost like a little child trying to be “naughty” just to get attention. The book was too funny for those cheap tricks.
That one minor complaint aside, I loved this book. I seriously haven’t laughed this hard at a book in a long time.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity read and review this ARC!
Mimi Montgomery is absolutely going to be a name to watch in the cozy mystery world! Murder Bites is a masterclass in subverting Southern, suburban expectations. I would argue that the true heart of the story is the dynamic between the characters. Margot, a very raw and aggressively protective protagonist. Anne, an extroverted HOA president with the feral need to leave a thumbprint on her community. Then, Sally-Claire, our creative housewife longing for something more. Beyond the beauty and humor of their friendship is also a poignant look at how women navigate the ideas of legacy, isolation, and agency.
I loved the dialogue and "sharpness" of the prose. The humor and character development were so delectable that I could sit and soak in this book for another week or two. I sincerely appreciate having a humorous book with an older protoganist that loves her family. It helped me find so much relatability with the story. I will be making Murder Bites my personality for the next 6 months, thanks🫶
Mimi Montgomery is absolutely going to be a name to watch in the cozy mystery world! Murder Bites is a masterclass in subverting Southern, suburban expectations. I would argue that the true heart of the story is the dynamic between the characters. Margot, a very raw and aggressively protective protagonist. Anne, an extroverted HOA president with the feral need to leave a thumbprint on her community. Then, Sally-Claire, our creative housewife longing for something more. Beyond the beauty and humor of their friendship is also a poignant look at how women navigate the ideas of legacy, isolation, and agency.
I loved the dialogue and "sharpness" of the prose. The humor and character development were so delectable that I could sit and soak in this book for another week or two. I sincerely appreciate having a humorous book with an older protoganist that loves her family. It helped me find so much relatability with the story. I will be making Murder Bites my personality for the next 6 months, thanks🫶
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m not the biggest fan of cozy mysteries, but this one was decent. It had a lot of humor and silliness. I think I was in the mood for this type of book when I read it. The cover is top-notch for me, and the contents match the mood well. Margot has reluctantly moved to the suburbs with her mutt. The people in the community are pure-bred dog obsessed. They’re trying to get their pups on a show and become famous. Margot is open about her disapproval of choosing dogs for fame, and has become the pariah of the community. A dog walker is dead and they point the finger at Margot. She teams up with some unlikely allies to prove what really happened.
This is a book that doesn’t require a whole lot of thinking. It’s great if you’re in the mood to just enjoy the ride. It is a bit silly and has a lot of expletives, but that didn’t bother me. There’s a lot of unlikeable characters, but that’s on purpose. This was fun. I highly recommend this book if you like cozy mysteries or are looking for an easy to read palate cleanser.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bantam for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.
This is a book that doesn’t require a whole lot of thinking. It’s great if you’re in the mood to just enjoy the ride. It is a bit silly and has a lot of expletives, but that didn’t bother me. There’s a lot of unlikeable characters, but that’s on purpose. This was fun. I highly recommend this book if you like cozy mysteries or are looking for an easy to read palate cleanser.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bantam for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After going from the outcast to being labeled as a murderer, Margot is determined to prove she is innocent.
The humor throughout this book was really well done. I laughed when Margot mentioned the comment about the Rainbow Fish book.
Quinn's fiesty attitude and backhanded comments definitely made me laugh. I couldn't believe they talked about bejewling Cooper's butthole 🤣
I loved the mention of the movie Snow Dogs in one of the chapters! That movie came out when I was in elementary school, so that was a fun memory.
The drama around Boomer's treats was super interesting and it was fun to read about.
I always love when a book mentions my favorite fast food place, Taco Bell! The idea of someone writing about the waffle taco made me laugh. Definitely some retired menu items that are worth doing that for!
This was a super fun murder mystery and I loved that it was themed around a dog show! All of the dogs sounded super cute and the humor was really well done. Thank you to Netgalley, Ballantine, and Mimi Montgomery for an ARC of this book.
The humor throughout this book was really well done. I laughed when Margot mentioned the comment about the Rainbow Fish book.
Quinn's fiesty attitude and backhanded comments definitely made me laugh. I couldn't believe they talked about bejewling Cooper's butthole 🤣
I loved the mention of the movie Snow Dogs in one of the chapters! That movie came out when I was in elementary school, so that was a fun memory.
The drama around Boomer's treats was super interesting and it was fun to read about.
I always love when a book mentions my favorite fast food place, Taco Bell! The idea of someone writing about the waffle taco made me laugh. Definitely some retired menu items that are worth doing that for!
This was a super fun murder mystery and I loved that it was themed around a dog show! All of the dogs sounded super cute and the humor was really well done. Thank you to Netgalley, Ballantine, and Mimi Montgomery for an ARC of this book.
May 5, 2026
This one was such a fun cozy mystery and I had a really good time reading it.It follows Margot who’s basically miserable after being forced to move from D.C. to this super dog obsessed small town in South Carolina. She already doesn’t fit in but things get way worse when the local dog walker is murdered in this bizarre Halloween setup and somehow Margot ends up the main suspect. So naturally she decides to investigate and clear her name.I loved how quirky this was. The town is full of over the top personalities (like the HOA queen and the picture perfect mom friend), and the whole reality show for fancy dogs subplot just makes everything feel extra ridiculous in the best way. Margot herself is kind of sarcastic and over it all which made her really fun to follow.The mystery kept me interested, but honestly the characters and small town drama were the highlight for me. It’s one of those cozy mysteries that doesn’t take itself too seriously and just leans into the drama.super entertaining especially for my cozy murder mystery lovers, a little unhinged, and perfect if you want something light, funny, and a bit murdery.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder Bites by Mimi Montgomery has an energetic, quirky premise that initially caught my attention, and I appreciated the publisher reaching out with the opportunity to read it. Many readers clearly enjoy the over the top humor and lively tone, and I can see the appeal for those who love exaggerated, madcap mysteries.
For me, though, the style didn’t quite connect. The humor felt a bit too heavy-handed, and the frequent profanity pulled me out of the story rather than adding to it, The tone simply wasn’t a match for my reading preferences.
That said, readers who enjoy bold, outrageous comedy in their mysteries may find this one entertaining. It just wasn’t the right fit for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
For me, though, the style didn’t quite connect. The humor felt a bit too heavy-handed, and the frequent profanity pulled me out of the story rather than adding to it, The tone simply wasn’t a match for my reading preferences.
That said, readers who enjoy bold, outrageous comedy in their mysteries may find this one entertaining. It just wasn’t the right fit for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I read an ARC of this debut author's book Murder Bites. It sounded like such a fun and adorable murder mystery. Everyone in this town is a bit over the top but that's what makes them so fun! Poor Margot has never really fit in with the people in her neighborhood and becomes something of the neighborhood social pariah (after a few crazy over the top moves on her part) but when a local dog walker is killed all eyes and suspicion turn to Margot. When the septuagenarian who is in charge of the HOA offers to team up with Margot to prove her innocence Margot figures she's got nothing left to lose and the two dive into town affairs trying to figure out who had both motive and means. It really was a riot.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. Margot is an unforgettable character, sort of a do-gooder "Karen" who is an outsider in this expensive neighborhood. She flashes back to the awkward 12-year-old she was, which lets us see that adults are really still kids no matter how old we get. I loved that we get to see emotional growth in some of the characters as they become friends or stand up to the "popular kids clique" as Margot is framed for a neighborhood murder. This book stands out with it's depth that we don't often see in popular fiction. It's not just to entertain us, but to enlighten us. It managed to keep me both entertained and thoughtful of the people we see everyday as more than just background color in our story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you're wanting to laugh all the way through a story, then this is the one. Mimi brings us Margot, a lady that has moved from Washington to South Carolina and into a dog obsessed area. After a local dog walker is murdered and all eyes are on her, she decides to solve the case. With the help of Anne, the HOA leader, and Sally-Claire, a mom mafia member, she works to solve the case and not get in trouble along the way. The writing is spot on. The story and characters are hilarious, and the jokes have you laughing the whole way through. It's a dark, campy story that makes you want more.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5/5
The cover of this book is what really drew me to it. I thought it looked so cozy and cute and fun. And that was correct, this book is all of those things.
This also read surprisingly fast for a cozy mystery. It was much more action-packed and fast-paced than those tend to be.
This takes place in a cozy small town and surrounds dogs and neighborhood drama. It felt unique and was a lot of fun.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
The cover of this book is what really drew me to it. I thought it looked so cozy and cute and fun. And that was correct, this book is all of those things.
This also read surprisingly fast for a cozy mystery. It was much more action-packed and fast-paced than those tend to be.
This takes place in a cozy small town and surrounds dogs and neighborhood drama. It felt unique and was a lot of fun.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Ballantine and Netgalley for this eARC. If you are looking for a solid mystery peppered full of interesting characters that is laugh out loud funny, pick up a copy of Murder Bites. I read this book in one sitting and I had a rollicking good time!
I definitely will look for future mysteries from Mimi Montgomery. As well as a crime novel, Murder Bites is so MUCH more! ❤️
I definitely will look for future mysteries from Mimi Montgomery. As well as a crime novel, Murder Bites is so MUCH more! ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am going to blame myself for this one. I don’t have the best track record with cozy mystery but I had high hopes for this, it looked so cute! I think that if you know you love cozy mystery and the premise sounds interesting, you’re going to enjoy this! I just needed something more to get me through and this didn’t quite work for me. (Still love the cover though and the fluffy dogs).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is weird and protagonist will drive you crazy but also, so many of the lines are absolutely brilliant & left me laughing so hard. Also, the plot doesn’t seem
THAT implausible given our country’s obsession with reality TV. In general I found it to be pretty fun.
THAT implausible given our country’s obsession with reality TV. In general I found it to be pretty fun.
March 28, 2026
🐶🔍 Murder Bites 🔍🐶
This was such a fun and quirky cozy mystery, even if literally no one in this town was actually likable 😂
Everyone was kind of toxic in their own special way, and honestly Margot was deeply unhinged at times. The Mommy Mafia absolutely deserves a spot on my growing list of irrational fears right next to the PTA because WHAT was that?! 🤣🐾
I really felt for Margot’s family though, especially her young son. A lot of her antics had real consequences for him at school. I was happy with her resolution with her daughter at the end.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable mystery with plenty of eccentric characters, neighborhood drama, and just enough messiness to keep it entertaining.
🧡 What to Expect
• Cozy mystery
• Amateur sleuth
• Unhinged FMC
• Halloween murder
• Mommy Mafia
• Dog obsessed community
• Toxic neighborhood
_ _ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 3.75 stars
📅 Pub Date: August 4, 2026
Thank you to Ballantine, Bantam, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
This was such a fun and quirky cozy mystery, even if literally no one in this town was actually likable 😂
Everyone was kind of toxic in their own special way, and honestly Margot was deeply unhinged at times. The Mommy Mafia absolutely deserves a spot on my growing list of irrational fears right next to the PTA because WHAT was that?! 🤣🐾
I really felt for Margot’s family though, especially her young son. A lot of her antics had real consequences for him at school. I was happy with her resolution with her daughter at the end.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable mystery with plenty of eccentric characters, neighborhood drama, and just enough messiness to keep it entertaining.
🧡 What to Expect
• Cozy mystery
• Amateur sleuth
• Unhinged FMC
• Halloween murder
• Mommy Mafia
• Dog obsessed community
• Toxic neighborhood
_ _ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 3.75 stars
📅 Pub Date: August 4, 2026
Thank you to Ballantine, Bantam, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
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