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Murder Bites
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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?
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 4, 2026
About the author
Mimi Montgomery
1 book32 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 - 30 of 49 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
A lot to enjoy in Murder Bites… for the right reader.
As someone who is familiar with both the Washington, DC, area and the southern US, I very much enjoyed reading about Margot’s problems blending in when she moves to Glenville, SC. One thing she does have in common with the folks in Glenville, though, is a dog, but neither Margot nor her furry Best Friend Sid Vicious is keen on being part of the reality TV show featuring dogs that is in town to film a segment. When a local dog walker is killed, newcomer Margot becomes the main suspect, and she feels she needs to investigate to clear her name.
There is a lot to enjoy in Murder Bites. The supporting characters are quirky and fun, and the subplot about the dog TV show was entertaining. And, of course, there is Margot’s need to avoid being arrested for murder.
Unfortunately, some aspects of the writing seriously affected my overall enjoyment of the book, since it pulled me out of the story. One was very frequent references to pop culture. I relax with books much more than movies or pop music or similar entertainment, and the frequent and unnecessary references to pop culture were a turnoff for me. I often I did not recognize them. In addition, when I see the f-word in the first paragraph, it clues me that the language of the book may not suit my reading taste. I was right.
If you do not have the same problem with the writing style that I did, though, you can find a quite a bit of reading pleasure in Murder Bites.
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and Bantam Books.
As someone who is familiar with both the Washington, DC, area and the southern US, I very much enjoyed reading about Margot’s problems blending in when she moves to Glenville, SC. One thing she does have in common with the folks in Glenville, though, is a dog, but neither Margot nor her furry Best Friend Sid Vicious is keen on being part of the reality TV show featuring dogs that is in town to film a segment. When a local dog walker is killed, newcomer Margot becomes the main suspect, and she feels she needs to investigate to clear her name.
There is a lot to enjoy in Murder Bites. The supporting characters are quirky and fun, and the subplot about the dog TV show was entertaining. And, of course, there is Margot’s need to avoid being arrested for murder.
Unfortunately, some aspects of the writing seriously affected my overall enjoyment of the book, since it pulled me out of the story. One was very frequent references to pop culture. I relax with books much more than movies or pop music or similar entertainment, and the frequent and unnecessary references to pop culture were a turnoff for me. I often I did not recognize them. In addition, when I see the f-word in the first paragraph, it clues me that the language of the book may not suit my reading taste. I was right.
If you do not have the same problem with the writing style that I did, though, you can find a quite a bit of reading pleasure in Murder Bites.
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and Bantam Books.
June 8, 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 but in the I love this kind of way lol. Margot herself is kind of sarcastic and over it all which made her really fun to follow.The mystery kept me interested, but 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 goes 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
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
Murder Bites is one of those books that I can absolutely see finding its audience, even though parts of it didn’t completely work for me.
My biggest challenge was the humor. This book is very funny at times, but it also feels like it’s trying very hard to be funny. Nearly every character is written as a caricature, and the sarcasm and snark occasionally drifted into mean-girl territory for me. Whether that lands will depend entirely on your sense of humor. If you’re the type of reader who enjoys watching people argue in the comments section of a local news Facebook post and finds that kind of chaos entertaining, this may be right up your alley.
What worked best for me was the culture clash at the center of the story. Margot, a very self-righteous Washington, D.C., transplant, moves to a prestigious Southern community in the Carolinas where appearances, traditions, and purebred dogs reign supreme. When a dog walker is killed in spectacular Halloween fashion by a giant Home Depot skeleton, suspicion quickly falls on Margot because she’s the outsider. The setup is ridiculous in the best cozy mystery way.
I especially enjoyed the supporting cast. Anna, the 77-year-old head of the homeowners association, is an absolute force of nature—stubborn, outspoken, and impossible to ignore. The dynamic between Anna, Margot, and Sally, who is deeply embedded in the competitive dog-show culture, kept the investigation moving and added plenty of entertainment.
The small-town Southern setting reminded me a bit of Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books with its clash of personalities and competing worldviews. As a cozy mystery, the overall vibe felt closer to Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Vera Wong books, mixing eccentric characters, humor, and amateur sleuthing.
While I wasn’t completely sold on the narrative voice, Mimi Montgomery is clearly a talented writer. The characterization is memorable, the mystery itself works, and the setting feels vivid and lived-in. As a journalist with an impressive career, she certainly knows how to tell a story. I’m just not entirely convinced that this particular style of cozy mystery is the perfect fit for me.
If you enjoy quirky Southern settings, fish-out-of-water stories, eccentric amateur detectives, and a healthy dose of social satire, Murder Bites is worth a look.
Thank you to Bantam for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My biggest challenge was the humor. This book is very funny at times, but it also feels like it’s trying very hard to be funny. Nearly every character is written as a caricature, and the sarcasm and snark occasionally drifted into mean-girl territory for me. Whether that lands will depend entirely on your sense of humor. If you’re the type of reader who enjoys watching people argue in the comments section of a local news Facebook post and finds that kind of chaos entertaining, this may be right up your alley.
What worked best for me was the culture clash at the center of the story. Margot, a very self-righteous Washington, D.C., transplant, moves to a prestigious Southern community in the Carolinas where appearances, traditions, and purebred dogs reign supreme. When a dog walker is killed in spectacular Halloween fashion by a giant Home Depot skeleton, suspicion quickly falls on Margot because she’s the outsider. The setup is ridiculous in the best cozy mystery way.
I especially enjoyed the supporting cast. Anna, the 77-year-old head of the homeowners association, is an absolute force of nature—stubborn, outspoken, and impossible to ignore. The dynamic between Anna, Margot, and Sally, who is deeply embedded in the competitive dog-show culture, kept the investigation moving and added plenty of entertainment.
The small-town Southern setting reminded me a bit of Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books with its clash of personalities and competing worldviews. As a cozy mystery, the overall vibe felt closer to Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Vera Wong books, mixing eccentric characters, humor, and amateur sleuthing.
While I wasn’t completely sold on the narrative voice, Mimi Montgomery is clearly a talented writer. The characterization is memorable, the mystery itself works, and the setting feels vivid and lived-in. As a journalist with an impressive career, she certainly knows how to tell a story. I’m just not entirely convinced that this particular style of cozy mystery is the perfect fit for me.
If you enjoy quirky Southern settings, fish-out-of-water stories, eccentric amateur detectives, and a healthy dose of social satire, Murder Bites is worth a look.
Thank you to Bantam for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a copy of murder bites by Mimi Montgomery for a free via net gallery for review. I did not receive any compensation whatsoever for this review. All thoughts and opinions written here are my own.
I just finished reading murder bites by Mimi Montgomery, I found this to be a wonderfully silly book pulling fun at modern Life in general, and some of the typical stereotypes that we all see on a semi-regular basis. The main character Margo is someone that I see as a pretty regular down-to-earth person but also a very crunchy mama. into all kinds of natural things she finds herself in her cousin's childhood neighbor home. Unable to quite fit in what the town expects her to be, but it's when the cling wrap is peeled back from this flawless image of suburbia that things get interesting. I don't want to give anything away for anyone who would enjoy reading this book, all this to say I was pleasantly surprised. I don't typically enjoy murder mysteries because I don't like scary things or blood and guts for the the purpose of blooded guts Bud. This book does not have any of that at all and brought me back to happy memories of reading Nancy Drew as a kid but with some very adult humor thrown in so it nourished my inner child as well as my adult self which I very much appreciate . Well I didn't always agree With Margo's tactics I understood her her feeling like an outsider in a small town neighborhood. I can also understand the small town drama sort of stuff that comes up when everybody knows everybody's business. I feel that Mimi Montgomery did a fantastic job capturing this to the fullest and balancing it with humor and poking fun at all of the crazy things that people do in the name of Fame. When really all we need is love and if we all took care of each other everything would find a way to work out.
Thank you very much Mimi Montgomery for allowing me to be one of the readers of this book, and I look forward to being able to read your work in the future
I just finished reading murder bites by Mimi Montgomery, I found this to be a wonderfully silly book pulling fun at modern Life in general, and some of the typical stereotypes that we all see on a semi-regular basis. The main character Margo is someone that I see as a pretty regular down-to-earth person but also a very crunchy mama. into all kinds of natural things she finds herself in her cousin's childhood neighbor home. Unable to quite fit in what the town expects her to be, but it's when the cling wrap is peeled back from this flawless image of suburbia that things get interesting. I don't want to give anything away for anyone who would enjoy reading this book, all this to say I was pleasantly surprised. I don't typically enjoy murder mysteries because I don't like scary things or blood and guts for the the purpose of blooded guts Bud. This book does not have any of that at all and brought me back to happy memories of reading Nancy Drew as a kid but with some very adult humor thrown in so it nourished my inner child as well as my adult self which I very much appreciate . Well I didn't always agree With Margo's tactics I understood her her feeling like an outsider in a small town neighborhood. I can also understand the small town drama sort of stuff that comes up when everybody knows everybody's business. I feel that Mimi Montgomery did a fantastic job capturing this to the fullest and balancing it with humor and poking fun at all of the crazy things that people do in the name of Fame. When really all we need is love and if we all took care of each other everything would find a way to work out.
Thank you very much Mimi Montgomery for allowing me to be one of the readers of this book, and I look forward to being able to read your work in the future
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Zany. Wacky. Kooky. Those are the words that kept cycling through my head while reading this one.
Glenville, SC, is a town whose entire identity is built around purebred dogs and Instagram-perfect lives. Into this steps - our DC transplant mom, who grows her own oats for oat flour, has a rescue dog, is vegan, and is very vocal about the fact that she is not like these people. Naturally, they don't like her. She doesn't like them. But it all plays out in a hijinks sort of way rather than anything with actual teeth. Think stealing political signs off lawns, getting caught, sheepishly putting them back, an exasperated husband hovering in the background, and an octogenarian who takes our mom under her wing to help fend off the mommy mafia and their keratin-treated dogs.
Yes, keratin hair treatments. For the dogs.
It is a lot. The murder-mystery thread through all of this almost gets lost under the sheer weight of the kookiness, and the character dynamics lean so hard into the culture-clash premise that there isn't much room for anything else - yes, that is the point, and this book's audience will love the romp.
I am not the audience for this book, at least not at this time - in a way, it's Grandma Mazur, Stephanie Plum, and Lula - which I did love at one time - but even more zany - I know this book's audience exists and will have a great time. If you're in the market for a light, goofy, small-town caper with eccentric characters and seemingly low-stakes chaos (but there is actual murder, so...not exactly low stakes, but it feels low stakes), this one was made for you.
Glenville, SC, is a town whose entire identity is built around purebred dogs and Instagram-perfect lives. Into this steps - our DC transplant mom, who grows her own oats for oat flour, has a rescue dog, is vegan, and is very vocal about the fact that she is not like these people. Naturally, they don't like her. She doesn't like them. But it all plays out in a hijinks sort of way rather than anything with actual teeth. Think stealing political signs off lawns, getting caught, sheepishly putting them back, an exasperated husband hovering in the background, and an octogenarian who takes our mom under her wing to help fend off the mommy mafia and their keratin-treated dogs.
Yes, keratin hair treatments. For the dogs.
It is a lot. The murder-mystery thread through all of this almost gets lost under the sheer weight of the kookiness, and the character dynamics lean so hard into the culture-clash premise that there isn't much room for anything else - yes, that is the point, and this book's audience will love the romp.
I am not the audience for this book, at least not at this time - in a way, it's Grandma Mazur, Stephanie Plum, and Lula - which I did love at one time - but even more zany - I know this book's audience exists and will have a great time. If you're in the market for a light, goofy, small-town caper with eccentric characters and seemingly low-stakes chaos (but there is actual murder, so...not exactly low stakes, but it feels low stakes), this one was made for you.
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
A laugh out loud, snarky as they come murder mystery.
Margot Cartwright, a recent D.C. transplant to the canine-centric suburb of Glenville, South Carolina wears her virtue signalling as a badge of honor. Fully woke, she's caught absconding with political placards of (in her opinion) a less desirable candidate. So when the local much-loved dog walker has an unfortunate mishap, virtually the entire town is convinced that Margot is the source of the misadventure. Margot knows that she didn't do it but may soon be wearing an orange jumpsuit if she cannot clear her name pronto. What is a girl to do? Do some independent sleuthing, of course.
Author Mimi Montgomery has written a hilarious, highly eccentric, cozy mystery replete with quirky characters. The writing is solid as it delivers a laugh a minute. The characters are well developed, and the mise-en-scène is cinematically rendered. Yet, underneath all that bluster lies a tender tale of the value of true friendship. If a lighthearted cozy mystery with a dollop of humor appeals, then this may well be a book for you.
I am grateful to author Mimi Montgomery and her publisher, Bantam, for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: Bantam
Publication date: August 4, 2026
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 979-8217092536
Margot Cartwright, a recent D.C. transplant to the canine-centric suburb of Glenville, South Carolina wears her virtue signalling as a badge of honor. Fully woke, she's caught absconding with political placards of (in her opinion) a less desirable candidate. So when the local much-loved dog walker has an unfortunate mishap, virtually the entire town is convinced that Margot is the source of the misadventure. Margot knows that she didn't do it but may soon be wearing an orange jumpsuit if she cannot clear her name pronto. What is a girl to do? Do some independent sleuthing, of course.
Author Mimi Montgomery has written a hilarious, highly eccentric, cozy mystery replete with quirky characters. The writing is solid as it delivers a laugh a minute. The characters are well developed, and the mise-en-scène is cinematically rendered. Yet, underneath all that bluster lies a tender tale of the value of true friendship. If a lighthearted cozy mystery with a dollop of humor appeals, then this may well be a book for you.
I am grateful to author Mimi Montgomery and her publisher, Bantam, for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: Bantam
Publication date: August 4, 2026
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 979-8217092536
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you love dogs and a great mystery, this book is for you.
In this story, main character, Margot, is accused of murder after Margot has been caught causing chaos in her small town of Glenville. Margot is going through a lot. Her marriage is on the rocks, her oldest daughter won't talk to her, and she does not have a single friend. When a murder happens, it seems like the whole town bands together to blame Margot. She must find a way to clear her name in order to keep her family togther and her sanity. In the process she starts to realize that other people in this town might not be so bad. She ends up making an unlikely trio with the 70 year old HOA president, Anne, and one of the mean moms, Sally Claire. Together they team up and we learn there is definitely more to this town then meets the eye.
Even though this was a murder mystery there was something really fun and quirky about it that I loved. There were some spicy parts that I was not expecting and I truly had no idea who committed the murder. The book kept me guessing the entire time and I was shocked at the end when it was revealed. I am more of a cat person but the dog aspect to the novel really fit the story and added some levity.
Than you to Bantam Books and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In this story, main character, Margot, is accused of murder after Margot has been caught causing chaos in her small town of Glenville. Margot is going through a lot. Her marriage is on the rocks, her oldest daughter won't talk to her, and she does not have a single friend. When a murder happens, it seems like the whole town bands together to blame Margot. She must find a way to clear her name in order to keep her family togther and her sanity. In the process she starts to realize that other people in this town might not be so bad. She ends up making an unlikely trio with the 70 year old HOA president, Anne, and one of the mean moms, Sally Claire. Together they team up and we learn there is definitely more to this town then meets the eye.
Even though this was a murder mystery there was something really fun and quirky about it that I loved. There were some spicy parts that I was not expecting and I truly had no idea who committed the murder. The book kept me guessing the entire time and I was shocked at the end when it was revealed. I am more of a cat person but the dog aspect to the novel really fit the story and added some levity.
Than you to Bantam Books and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder Bites by Mimi Montgomery is a weird ride through small town South Carolina. Margot, a PETA type enthusiast, is trying to get a puppy reality show being filmed in town shut down. The local moms dislike her immensely and consider her the town pariah. Then one day, one of the guys working on the filming is murdered. And fingers point immediately towards Margot. She decides to try to clear her name, doing some sleuthing of her own with the eldery HOA president Anne who has become an unlikely friend.
This premise sounded crazy enough to be a fun read. Unfortunately, I think it will cater to a younger audience than myself. I felt like I was listening to my daughter or young co-workers in their foreign language of young speak. I found the dialogue strange to be coming from characters that weren’t that young- they had children of their own yet were talking about selling, waist trainers and all sorts of trendy things that I care very little about. The story itself got a little old because the finger pointing kept going from one person to another then another before actually finding the true murderer. It felt like it was never going to end.
There are some good ideas of being true to yourself and not judging others, mother-daughter relationships and adult friendship, but overall this just wasn’t the read for me. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballintine Books for my ARC.
This premise sounded crazy enough to be a fun read. Unfortunately, I think it will cater to a younger audience than myself. I felt like I was listening to my daughter or young co-workers in their foreign language of young speak. I found the dialogue strange to be coming from characters that weren’t that young- they had children of their own yet were talking about selling, waist trainers and all sorts of trendy things that I care very little about. The story itself got a little old because the finger pointing kept going from one person to another then another before actually finding the true murderer. It felt like it was never going to end.
There are some good ideas of being true to yourself and not judging others, mother-daughter relationships and adult friendship, but overall this just wasn’t the read for me. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballintine Books for my ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Margot is a angry neighbor in Glenville, where the Mommy Mafia (aka neighbors) find her to be the weirdo antagonist of Glenville. Margot protests everything and makes enemies where she goes and when Boomer, her nemesis is found dead under a Halloween display, all fingers point to Margot as being the culprit. So when Margot running from the press hides in her neighbor Anne's yard, Margot is shocked when Anne is nice to her. Margot has been the enemy for so long, she doesn't remember that people can be kind. Even more shocking is when Sally-Claire, a member of the Mommy Mafia, is kind to Harrison, Margot's son after another member of the press accidently hits him with a camera. After another death, more accusations are hurtled at Margot. Margot has done many wrong things but she is innocent of murder, so when Anne and Sally-Claire offer to help clear her name, she realizes she needs help or she will be headed to jail.
This is a whack-a-doodle of a book. Hilarious situations, characters obsessed with their dogs, neighbors trying to out Jones the other., who knew murder could be so funny. This is mayhem at its best, and Margot is the ultimate mayhem to herself and others. Good writing, funny characters and situations, and a intriguing mystery to boot! Don't miss this laugh out loud mystery. Thanks to Net Galley and Ballantine.
This is a whack-a-doodle of a book. Hilarious situations, characters obsessed with their dogs, neighbors trying to out Jones the other., who knew murder could be so funny. This is mayhem at its best, and Margot is the ultimate mayhem to herself and others. Good writing, funny characters and situations, and a intriguing mystery to boot! Don't miss this laugh out loud mystery. Thanks to Net Galley and Ballantine.
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
Margot Cartwright seemed like a mystery within a mystery. I thought she was a teenager when she interrupted a public gathering. She is generally disruptive and immature, from the sounds of things. But wait, then I learn she’s a married woman. Margot must at least be in her early 20s. Then another surprise: Margot has two children, and the older one is 18.
I reconcile myself to Margot and proceed to a well-written mystery with several possible suspects and some unforeseen twists. As the story progresses, Margot progresses as well. She finds friends in the small, Southern town where she and her family moved upon leaving Washington, DC. That is something Margot never thought she would do.
“Murder Bites” is a dog mystery and centers around a TV show about dogs called “Pawsh.” The plan is to film the show in Margot’s small town. Murder stops that plan. Can you guess who is blamed for the murder?
I enjoyed “Murder Bites” after the first chapter helped me to figure out Margot’s age. I was taken aback, however, by the prodigious amount of four-letter words in the story.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader’s copy. This is my honest review.
May 31, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My review: I like social media, reality tv, dogs, and murder shows. So this book hit all the marks. A definite funny mystery!
Margot has to moved to South Carolina with her husband, to his childhood hometown. Rabel rousing Margot hates living in this subdivision. It is filled with yoga pants wearing, little puffy dog holding, judgmental, pill popping mommies. And the Mommy Mafia doesn't really like Margot either.
When Boomer, the dog walker (and insider to the doggie reality show being filmed in town) is murdered things go hay wire. Margot is accused and doesn't have much of an alibi. When she begrudgingly becomes friends with HOA President Anne--an older, snooty, but very true crime interested neighbor, the two set out to find the real murderer. They pick up Sally-Claire (former Mommy Mafia member) and along with their dogs, the investigators get into more trouble before figuring everything out.
It's funny, it's satire and it's a pretty intricate plot. If you like the Finlay Donovan books, you'll appreciate this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advance digital copy to review. These opinions are my own.
Margot has to moved to South Carolina with her husband, to his childhood hometown. Rabel rousing Margot hates living in this subdivision. It is filled with yoga pants wearing, little puffy dog holding, judgmental, pill popping mommies. And the Mommy Mafia doesn't really like Margot either.
When Boomer, the dog walker (and insider to the doggie reality show being filmed in town) is murdered things go hay wire. Margot is accused and doesn't have much of an alibi. When she begrudgingly becomes friends with HOA President Anne--an older, snooty, but very true crime interested neighbor, the two set out to find the real murderer. They pick up Sally-Claire (former Mommy Mafia member) and along with their dogs, the investigators get into more trouble before figuring everything out.
It's funny, it's satire and it's a pretty intricate plot. If you like the Finlay Donovan books, you'll appreciate this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advance digital copy to review. These opinions are 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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a fun book this is. It's a cozy mystery that is about realizing what you think a person is, isn't what they always are. This is full of entertaining characters and pets. Plus laughs.
Montgomery let's us take a look at reality TV and TickTock. Margot Cartwright is a thorn in her husbands hometown, what with her crazy garden, her protests, and all the crazy things she does without thinking. She has no friends in the town, and when a murder happens that threatens the Pawsy show, a Reality TV show, being canceled, she soon becomes a suspect. What happens in the book is funny, entertaining and surprising .
This is the first book by Montgomery, and I can't wait to read more by her. If like cozies with furbabies and wonderful characters, don't miss this book.
Tentative Publication Date:
August 4, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley, Ballantine, and Montgomery for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#Netgalley #Ballantine #MimiMontgomery #MurderBites
Montgomery let's us take a look at reality TV and TickTock. Margot Cartwright is a thorn in her husbands hometown, what with her crazy garden, her protests, and all the crazy things she does without thinking. She has no friends in the town, and when a murder happens that threatens the Pawsy show, a Reality TV show, being canceled, she soon becomes a suspect. What happens in the book is funny, entertaining and surprising .
This is the first book by Montgomery, and I can't wait to read more by her. If like cozies with furbabies and wonderful characters, don't miss this book.
Tentative Publication Date:
August 4, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley, Ballantine, and Montgomery for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#Netgalley #Ballantine #MimiMontgomery #MurderBites
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The main character Margot wasn't someone I would root for in the beginning, she's unkind and can't seem to get out of her own way, she seems to constantly be shooting herself in the foot. So when a murder happens shortly afte she tells the victim she wishes he was dead, it doesn't take long to make her the prime suspect. And it doesn't seem lIke the police are going to be looking too hard for another suspect. The neighbors are a tight click all involved in a dog TV show that they all want to win, and the back stabbing is crazy. As the book goes Margot learns a lot about herself and meets her neighbors in a totally different direction than before she was a murder suspect. There is also a mystery involving her daughter, that at the end all the loose ends get tied up. I ended up liking Margot and her friends, and was happy for her. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced read.
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
First of all, let's be clear that we're talking about dogs, not vampires. That's the "bites" part.
The rest is about a small town overtaken by a dog reality show, Pawwsh, and the shenanigans that occur when one of the community is murdered. An unlikely group of women band together to solve the murder (Margot is accused of the murder, hence her interest in figuring out who actually did the killing)... and of course there is plenty of doggie doings. Most of the dogs are small designer breeds, carried in strollers or Baby Bjorns, used as weights during Doggy Yoga, etc..
Of the three "detectives," Margot isn't particularly likeable, Anne is #goals and Sally-Claire is sad. But by the end, you're rooting for all of them. And the dogs.
eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
The rest is about a small town overtaken by a dog reality show, Pawwsh, and the shenanigans that occur when one of the community is murdered. An unlikely group of women band together to solve the murder (Margot is accused of the murder, hence her interest in figuring out who actually did the killing)... and of course there is plenty of doggie doings. Most of the dogs are small designer breeds, carried in strollers or Baby Bjorns, used as weights during Doggy Yoga, etc..
Of the three "detectives," Margot isn't particularly likeable, Anne is #goals and Sally-Claire is sad. But by the end, you're rooting for all of them. And the dogs.
eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars -
while it started out rather slow for me (i think it was a me issue tbh), i really got into it by the second half.
i loved the layers to the characters. and how despite over the top everyone is, at their core, they’re flawed and realistic. except anne - she’s perfect and has never done anything wrong in her life.
there were times when i felt there were too many characters to follow and had to mental math everyone out too often for my liking.
i enjoyed the twists and turns the whole way through. i giggled aloud to myself at certain points and had a fun ride through this book.
received an eARC via netgalley :-)
while it started out rather slow for me (i think it was a me issue tbh), i really got into it by the second half.
i loved the layers to the characters. and how despite over the top everyone is, at their core, they’re flawed and realistic. except anne - she’s perfect and has never done anything wrong in her life.
there were times when i felt there were too many characters to follow and had to mental math everyone out too often for my liking.
i enjoyed the twists and turns the whole way through. i giggled aloud to myself at certain points and had a fun ride through this book.
received an eARC via netgalley :-)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The cover for this is amazing. I actually thought it was a graphic novel at first.
The story is quirky without being overly cheesy like similar books. I really enjoyed the relationship between Margot and Anne. I could visualize them both so perfectly with the author's writing.
The characters all go through a development from start to end. I think people can relate to Margot's struggle fitting in with others.
If you love dogs and funny mysteries, check out Murder Bites!
Thank you to NetGalley, Mimi Montgomery, and Ballantine | Bantam for the opportunity to read Murder Bites. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.
The story is quirky without being overly cheesy like similar books. I really enjoyed the relationship between Margot and Anne. I could visualize them both so perfectly with the author's writing.
The characters all go through a development from start to end. I think people can relate to Margot's struggle fitting in with others.
If you love dogs and funny mysteries, check out Murder Bites!
Thank you to NetGalley, Mimi Montgomery, and Ballantine | Bantam for the opportunity to read Murder Bites. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.
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
Murder Bites, a Cozy Mystery set in South Carolina. Margot is a Yankee existing in small Townsville and not happily. She has lived there for 4 years and still does not fit in. She is an Activist and really does not try to fit in.
When Margot is caught by Boomer stealing campaign signs she yells that she wishes he was dead. A few days later, he is.
Margot had to grow on me - I wasn’t sure I would sympathize with her. She brought a lot of problems on herself. It is an entertaining and, at times, aggravating mystery.
When Margot is caught by Boomer stealing campaign signs she yells that she wishes he was dead. A few days later, he is.
Margot had to grow on me - I wasn’t sure I would sympathize with her. She brought a lot of problems on herself. It is an entertaining and, at times, aggravating mystery.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I think if you like dogs, housewives drama, and cozy fall mysteries this book is going to be a good one for you. The characters are a little over the top in some ways but I think that adds to the charm. The humor is a big part of the writing and there are quite a few modern pop culture references.
I am pausing this one for now because I am such a mood / seasonal read and the cute / cozy / fall vibes of this book are not fitting with our current 90 degree heat wave.
Thanks to Ballantine / Bantam and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am pausing this one for now because I am such a mood / seasonal read and the cute / cozy / fall vibes of this book are not fitting with our current 90 degree heat wave.
Thanks to Ballantine / Bantam and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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!
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