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Murder Bites
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
First published August 4, 2026
About the author
Mimi Montgomery
1 book56 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 197 reviews
August 6, 2026
🐶🔍 Murder Bites 🔍🐶
💖💕Happy Release Day! 💕💖
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.
💖💕Happy Release Day! 💕💖
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.
August 22, 2026
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Margot Cartwright moved from Washington, D.C., to Glenville, South Carolina, with her family to live in her husband’s parents’ home, which he inherited. Margot had been an activist in D.C., but her protests haven’t gone over well in Glenville. She just didn’t fit in the fur-baby-forward town. Every woman in town seemed to be focused on getting their pups on Pawsh, a reality TV show for couture canines. Margot’s dog, Sid Vicious, a lovable mutt, didn’t fit the show’s specifications, but even if he did, she would never want him on a stupid reality show. Okay, she did steal some yard signs promoting the show, but she eventually gave them back. Her actions made her even more of a social pariah in her community.
Then, in a crazy circumstance, a local dog walker was killed when an elaborate Halloween display featuring several Home Depot skeletons and Amazon’s entire inventory of autumnal decor ran over him. Immediately, everyone points their fingers at Margot for setting the tragic incident in motion.
In an effort to get to the bottom of the crime, Margot gains two friends, Anne and Sally-Claire, who want to help her clear her name. Can they solve the case? Or is Margot going to jail for a murder she didn’t commit?
I enjoyed this book so much, but I want to be clear: it is not a cozy mystery; the explicit language and scenes bounce it right out of that genre. That being said, it is campy, funny, original, full of pop culture references, and dogs and their somewhat deranged owners.
Margot Cartwright is not a happy camper. She considers public disruption an art form and herself Leonardo da Vinci. She was in her element in D.C. with her activist friends. In Glendale, she is on her own and terribly misunderstood. The town doesn’t even recycle! Glendale is also where she lost her daughter due to an incident that drove Sadie to pack her bags and move away, cutting off all contact with her family. Her son, Harrison, is embarrassed by his mom’s actions, while her husband Richard tries to be supportive, but the murder charge pushes his limits. Her dog, Sid Vicious, is a comfort and always by her side.
Margot did have a history of clashing with the victim, Boomer, the elite dog walker and Glendale influencer with Hollywood connections. He helped bring the reality show Pawsh to the dog-centric Glendale, and his death has sent the Mommy Mafia over the edge. They are “stupendously obsessed” with their AKC-registered dogs. All of them are contestants on the show trying to win the $250,000 prize. They are all pressing for Margot to be collared for Boomer’s murder. Margot has no canine in the game; what would she gain from Boomer’s death?
I loved when Margot truly met her neighbor Anne Gordon. Anne, a septuagenarian widow and the HOA President, who is determined to keep her job. Then become close as she wants to help Margot in any way she can. Anne has all the spy tools and some wacky ideas to do just that. Later, Sally-Claire Foster, a member of the Mommy Mafia, has had enough of her “friends”. She knows Margot is innocent and is ready to help her prove it. Oh my stars, these ladies had me laughing out loud, so much I had tears in my eyes. The antics, the banter, the comedic timing were all priceless. Plus, readers are kept guessing: WHO KILLED BOOMER?
Murder Bites is a hilarious story with heart. Filled with entertaining characters, crazy capers, a marvelous mystery, with a side of family drama, dogs, dogs, and more dogs, this story has it all. The final takedown was absolutely hysterical! I can’t believe this is Mimi Montgomery’s first novel. This book was a wild ride, and I enjoyed every minute.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Bantam Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
*This book contains explicit language and scenes.
Margot Cartwright moved from Washington, D.C., to Glenville, South Carolina, with her family to live in her husband’s parents’ home, which he inherited. Margot had been an activist in D.C., but her protests haven’t gone over well in Glenville. She just didn’t fit in the fur-baby-forward town. Every woman in town seemed to be focused on getting their pups on Pawsh, a reality TV show for couture canines. Margot’s dog, Sid Vicious, a lovable mutt, didn’t fit the show’s specifications, but even if he did, she would never want him on a stupid reality show. Okay, she did steal some yard signs promoting the show, but she eventually gave them back. Her actions made her even more of a social pariah in her community.
Then, in a crazy circumstance, a local dog walker was killed when an elaborate Halloween display featuring several Home Depot skeletons and Amazon’s entire inventory of autumnal decor ran over him. Immediately, everyone points their fingers at Margot for setting the tragic incident in motion.
In an effort to get to the bottom of the crime, Margot gains two friends, Anne and Sally-Claire, who want to help her clear her name. Can they solve the case? Or is Margot going to jail for a murder she didn’t commit?
I enjoyed this book so much, but I want to be clear: it is not a cozy mystery; the explicit language and scenes bounce it right out of that genre. That being said, it is campy, funny, original, full of pop culture references, and dogs and their somewhat deranged owners.
Margot Cartwright is not a happy camper. She considers public disruption an art form and herself Leonardo da Vinci. She was in her element in D.C. with her activist friends. In Glendale, she is on her own and terribly misunderstood. The town doesn’t even recycle! Glendale is also where she lost her daughter due to an incident that drove Sadie to pack her bags and move away, cutting off all contact with her family. Her son, Harrison, is embarrassed by his mom’s actions, while her husband Richard tries to be supportive, but the murder charge pushes his limits. Her dog, Sid Vicious, is a comfort and always by her side.
Margot did have a history of clashing with the victim, Boomer, the elite dog walker and Glendale influencer with Hollywood connections. He helped bring the reality show Pawsh to the dog-centric Glendale, and his death has sent the Mommy Mafia over the edge. They are “stupendously obsessed” with their AKC-registered dogs. All of them are contestants on the show trying to win the $250,000 prize. They are all pressing for Margot to be collared for Boomer’s murder. Margot has no canine in the game; what would she gain from Boomer’s death?
I loved when Margot truly met her neighbor Anne Gordon. Anne, a septuagenarian widow and the HOA President, who is determined to keep her job. Then become close as she wants to help Margot in any way she can. Anne has all the spy tools and some wacky ideas to do just that. Later, Sally-Claire Foster, a member of the Mommy Mafia, has had enough of her “friends”. She knows Margot is innocent and is ready to help her prove it. Oh my stars, these ladies had me laughing out loud, so much I had tears in my eyes. The antics, the banter, the comedic timing were all priceless. Plus, readers are kept guessing: WHO KILLED BOOMER?
Murder Bites is a hilarious story with heart. Filled with entertaining characters, crazy capers, a marvelous mystery, with a side of family drama, dogs, dogs, and more dogs, this story has it all. The final takedown was absolutely hysterical! I can’t believe this is Mimi Montgomery’s first novel. This book was a wild ride, and I enjoyed every minute.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Bantam Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
*This book contains explicit language and scenes.
September 4, 2026
This book is terrible. I loved it. Everyone should read it.
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.
September 4, 2026
Read the first 88 pages, skipped to last chapter to find out who did it, and gave the book away to my local little library.
I really really wanted to like this. It's right up my alley. It's very cute and has a fun premise. But I just could not get into it.
I didn't care about Margot. I didn't care about any of the characters. And there were just so many weird inconsistencies. If the book takes place in present day, and Margot has a teenage son, why is he referencing John Hughes movies? But it makes sense since the author has the characters using language like "beeotch" and "fab" as if this was the early 2000s.
Anyway, it wasn't as fun as I wanted it to be. And finding out who did it was underwhelming.
But that's okay because not every book is for me and it doesn't have to be. This book has great reviews on this site and people love it. And I'm glad that they do. I hope this author does really well.
I really really wanted to like this. It's right up my alley. It's very cute and has a fun premise. But I just could not get into it.
I didn't care about Margot. I didn't care about any of the characters. And there were just so many weird inconsistencies. If the book takes place in present day, and Margot has a teenage son, why is he referencing John Hughes movies? But it makes sense since the author has the characters using language like "beeotch" and "fab" as if this was the early 2000s.
Anyway, it wasn't as fun as I wanted it to be. And finding out who did it was underwhelming.
But that's okay because not every book is for me and it doesn't have to be. This book has great reviews on this site and people love it. And I'm glad that they do. I hope this author does really well.
August 23, 2026
this was fine. i wanted to love it, but alas many parts of it fell flat for me. while there were a lot of funny parts with quirky strange characters, a good majority of the book felt like it just dragged on and i was asking myself when something of importance was going to happen. i enjoyed the eclectic murder mystery of it all within this strange small town in south carolina, but i wanted more from it.
September 13, 2026
2.5 to 3. I enjoyed the friendship that was developed between the 3 main characters of this but the mystery was lacking for me. It felt like the investigation was basically the 3 main characters going down the minor character list, accusing someone in an elaborate confrontation, getting proof and exposition from the accused on why it couldn’t be them, and then onto the next person on the list.
Did Not Finish
September 2, 2026i had looked forward to this for so long :/
i hate it when books misrepresent activism. this here screams girl boss, refillable bottles and currated insta slides. girl, check your privilege, read the communist manifesto and get peoperly organized. this shit is ridiculous - couldn't get through 5 minutes
i hate it when books misrepresent activism. this here screams girl boss, refillable bottles and currated insta slides. girl, check your privilege, read the communist manifesto and get peoperly organized. this shit is ridiculous - couldn't get through 5 minutes
September 11, 2026
I usually like quirky books, but this one just wasn't for me. I couldn't connect with the characters and didn't find any of them particularly likable. The moms should have been close to my age (40s) but acted/sounded much younger. there were some great analogies sprinkled in that made me pause and think "OK, that was really clever"... but other than that I didn't really get the supposed humor of this story. But maybe those who are dog-obsessed IRL will get it.
2.5 stars
Thank you to Ballantine | Bantam and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
2.5 stars
Thank you to Ballantine | Bantam and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
September 2, 2026
Don’t piss me off. Not a he or ha to be had.
Read
August 11, 2026I was unable to finish this book -- a DNF. I tried but found that it wasn't the book for me. Perhaps it was because I didn't like the main character, Margot. She's not only a hot mess but inconsiderate and selfish. Now, I'm sure there was a redemption arc as the book comes to an end but by the midpoint of the book I found I didn't care.
I'm sure there are many who will enjoy this book. It's well written with some interesting characters. It just wasn't the right book for me.
Thank you to Ballantine, Mimi Montgomery, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.
I'm sure there are many who will enjoy this book. It's well written with some interesting characters. It just wasn't the right book for me.
Thank you to Ballantine, Mimi Montgomery, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.
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.
September 6, 2026
This was almost amazing.
The positives (paw-sitives?):
Mimi Montgomery is a fantastic writer. The story is witty, acerbic, and wonderfully weird. If it weren't for the issues I had with the way the novel played out, this could have been phenomenal.
BUT
The misses:
This is a story about dog reality show murder that is over 300 pages long. There are not over 300 pages of story to tell. Three times while reading this I had to check how much was left because my main thought was "this HAS to be wrapping up soon...right?" (I was wrong).
Margot, the main protagonist, is deeply unlikable, which I'm usually down with. However, somewhere through the halfway point we're supposed to believe she's undergone a redemption arc. She hasn't.
Instead, we get to watch her pivot from self absorbed and angry to self absorbed and self pitying. Other characters encouragingly state things like they never realized Margot had such "ooey gooey goodness" inside of her, or that she taught them all the real meaning of what it is to live. But she remains pretty awful throughout.
Then, there are The Inconsistencies:
Each of the POV characters' internal monologues sounds like a millennial writing a Buzzfeed article.
Margot is meant to be an overeducated, performatively liberal DC Gen Xer. Somehow, she has the exact same phrasing and interiority as Southern Millennial Craft Mom Sally-Claire.
We're meant to seriously believe Anne, a woman in her 70s who calls it "the Ticky Tock" has an internal monologue that consists of the words "dude," "roomies," and "twerking." This character, who has neither dogs nor grandchildren, also refers to BabyBjorns and Thundershirts by the brand names.
I will say, the end was fantastic and so much of this story was fun and razor-sharp. Without the limping side story that took up a third of the book, it would have been sharper AND a lot more fun.
The positives (paw-sitives?):
Mimi Montgomery is a fantastic writer. The story is witty, acerbic, and wonderfully weird. If it weren't for the issues I had with the way the novel played out, this could have been phenomenal.
BUT
The misses:
This is a story about dog reality show murder that is over 300 pages long. There are not over 300 pages of story to tell. Three times while reading this I had to check how much was left because my main thought was "this HAS to be wrapping up soon...right?" (I was wrong).
Margot, the main protagonist, is deeply unlikable, which I'm usually down with. However, somewhere through the halfway point we're supposed to believe she's undergone a redemption arc. She hasn't.
Instead, we get to watch her pivot from self absorbed and angry to self absorbed and self pitying. Other characters encouragingly state things like they never realized Margot had such "ooey gooey goodness" inside of her, or that she taught them all the real meaning of what it is to live. But she remains pretty awful throughout.
Then, there are The Inconsistencies:
Each of the POV characters' internal monologues sounds like a millennial writing a Buzzfeed article.
Margot is meant to be an overeducated, performatively liberal DC Gen Xer. Somehow, she has the exact same phrasing and interiority as Southern Millennial Craft Mom Sally-Claire.
We're meant to seriously believe Anne, a woman in her 70s who calls it "the Ticky Tock" has an internal monologue that consists of the words "dude," "roomies," and "twerking." This character, who has neither dogs nor grandchildren, also refers to BabyBjorns and Thundershirts by the brand names.
I will say, the end was fantastic and so much of this story was fun and razor-sharp. Without the limping side story that took up a third of the book, it would have been sharper AND a lot more fun.
August 9, 2026
Exactly the sort of wholesome, funny, pet-centered murder mystery that my Southern Belle mama would've absolutely adored. Felt like the book version of a movie we would've devoured together alongside Doves and Dairy Queen. Given that, and my recent bad luck with books that somehow embody the worst traits of the protagonist Margot (unfocused, meanspirited, self righteous, smug in the way only someone from the East Coast can be), reading this was a breath of fresh air.
There's SO many things I liked, from the characters to the descriptions to the humor...but also a lot of things that made me go into Editor mode, writing actual physical notes inside the book (blasphemy, I know) so I wouldn't forget. Nothing criminal but made me think "ughhh this would be close to perfect if only...."
It's unlikely Mimi Montgomery will ever read this, but if she does, I hope she knows the following critiques come from a place of absolutely wanting to read more of her work, and wanting to see it improve.
1) SHOW DON'T TELL. There is an absolutely insane amount of "telling" all throughout this novel. Mainly it shows up with character emotions, like just saying "she was happy" "she was sad" "she was a caricature of an angry person" followed by a body language description that absolutely could've stood on its own (clenched fists, set jaw, etc).
There were also several times a really obvious plot twist or commonly known information was told to the reader via forced character dialogue. Without revealing spoilers, one of these had to do with a certain animal being "poisonous" (first of all, it's "venomous", second of all, no shit, everyone knows that, and the characters in this setting would ESPECIALLY know that and wouldn't feel the need to state it aloud).
Exposition like character names, appearances, and backstories were also repeated to the reader when it was 100% not necessary. Unless the reader is taking weeklong breaks between chapters, I guess. Which I certainly wasn't. I don't know if the author received Netflix level, second-screen writing advice from a bad editor, or if she just forgot she'd told us several times already who Quinn is, what her dog's name and breed is, how blue everyone's eyes are (seriously, it was almost every character! I get this town is super white but damn!), why Margot is in Glenville, or how much she loves her husband's idealism (again, would've been better to just SEE that characteristic in Richard rather than be told about it, given how nonexistent of a character he is otherwise). Either way, it's just not good writing practice. If some readers missed obvious information because they weren't paying attention, that's on them. The rest of us already picked up what you were putting down.
2.) Pick a lane when it comes to "adult content". Cursing, sex, all of it. Because I saw one review complaining about seeing the word "fuck" on the first page, and I just laughed because I was annoyed far more by the overwhelming number of "fricks". And one case of an entirely unironic "H-E-double-hockey-sticks", said by an adult, to an adult. It really felt like there was a PG-13 rating enforced here, like careful, you can only say "fuck" once every ten chapters...! "Well, some people curse and others don't" I hear you say, and to that I say, sure! It makes sense for SOME grown ass adults to use cutesy euphemisms in SOME situations, but most of them, most of the time? In a book that also has a graphic sex scene? Come on.
On that note....
3.) Multiple POVs need to be distinct. Why is 77 year old Anne, who doesn't even know who Kurt Cobain is (kind of a stretch if you ask me but whatever), suddenly making an Indigo Girls reference? Why does she and Sally-Claire both have inner monologues that carry the exact same quippy cadence as Margot's?
Those are my main, big picture critiques, though there are definitely a lot more things that felt forced for plot reasons, or just left me scratching my head (a young, tech savvy character using the universal emoji combination for sex in response to...discovering a clue? Is this supposed to be a subtle reveal that this character is a nympho, or does the author somehow not know what an eggplant symbolizes?). I won't keep harping on the negatives though. Because again, I mostly had a good time reading this. While I did predict one aspect of the murder the second it happened, I did not see the actual killer coming at ALL. The ending was sweet and satisfying, and all throughout, there were plenty of moments that made me cackle. Warts and all, it was still a good read.
There's SO many things I liked, from the characters to the descriptions to the humor...but also a lot of things that made me go into Editor mode, writing actual physical notes inside the book (blasphemy, I know) so I wouldn't forget. Nothing criminal but made me think "ughhh this would be close to perfect if only...."
It's unlikely Mimi Montgomery will ever read this, but if she does, I hope she knows the following critiques come from a place of absolutely wanting to read more of her work, and wanting to see it improve.
1) SHOW DON'T TELL. There is an absolutely insane amount of "telling" all throughout this novel. Mainly it shows up with character emotions, like just saying "she was happy" "she was sad" "she was a caricature of an angry person" followed by a body language description that absolutely could've stood on its own (clenched fists, set jaw, etc).
There were also several times a really obvious plot twist or commonly known information was told to the reader via forced character dialogue. Without revealing spoilers, one of these had to do with a certain animal being "poisonous" (first of all, it's "venomous", second of all, no shit, everyone knows that, and the characters in this setting would ESPECIALLY know that and wouldn't feel the need to state it aloud).
Exposition like character names, appearances, and backstories were also repeated to the reader when it was 100% not necessary. Unless the reader is taking weeklong breaks between chapters, I guess. Which I certainly wasn't. I don't know if the author received Netflix level, second-screen writing advice from a bad editor, or if she just forgot she'd told us several times already who Quinn is, what her dog's name and breed is, how blue everyone's eyes are (seriously, it was almost every character! I get this town is super white but damn!), why Margot is in Glenville, or how much she loves her husband's idealism (again, would've been better to just SEE that characteristic in Richard rather than be told about it, given how nonexistent of a character he is otherwise). Either way, it's just not good writing practice. If some readers missed obvious information because they weren't paying attention, that's on them. The rest of us already picked up what you were putting down.
2.) Pick a lane when it comes to "adult content". Cursing, sex, all of it. Because I saw one review complaining about seeing the word "fuck" on the first page, and I just laughed because I was annoyed far more by the overwhelming number of "fricks". And one case of an entirely unironic "H-E-double-hockey-sticks", said by an adult, to an adult. It really felt like there was a PG-13 rating enforced here, like careful, you can only say "fuck" once every ten chapters...! "Well, some people curse and others don't" I hear you say, and to that I say, sure! It makes sense for SOME grown ass adults to use cutesy euphemisms in SOME situations, but most of them, most of the time? In a book that also has a graphic sex scene? Come on.
On that note....
3.) Multiple POVs need to be distinct. Why is 77 year old Anne, who doesn't even know who Kurt Cobain is (kind of a stretch if you ask me but whatever), suddenly making an Indigo Girls reference? Why does she and Sally-Claire both have inner monologues that carry the exact same quippy cadence as Margot's?
Those are my main, big picture critiques, though there are definitely a lot more things that felt forced for plot reasons, or just left me scratching my head (a young, tech savvy character using the universal emoji combination for sex in response to...discovering a clue? Is this supposed to be a subtle reveal that this character is a nympho, or does the author somehow not know what an eggplant symbolizes?). I won't keep harping on the negatives though. Because again, I mostly had a good time reading this. While I did predict one aspect of the murder the second it happened, I did not see the actual killer coming at ALL. The ending was sweet and satisfying, and all throughout, there were plenty of moments that made me cackle. Warts and all, it was still a good read.
September 7, 2026
It seems like I’m a sucker for books about three suburban women becoming unlikely friends while solving murders. Murder Bites is very that, but I thought it was way better than most books with that trope.
For all intents and purposes, this is a cozy mystery. It’s got a little more sex and profanity than a typical cozy, but it still fits the subgenre pretty easily. The mystery/humor ratio was on point, it’s well-paced, and the three MCs are distinct and likable. If Montgomery decides this needs a sequel, I’m seated for it.
This hits for me on a lot of points that make me love a book- female friendships, dry humor, a sassy old broad, likable protagonists, and murder. It gives Marlow Murder Club vibes, so if you’re into that series, you’d probably dig this book.
This is a 4.5. The one real strike against it is that I felt like Margot’s husband was a real piece of shit and the novel never actually reckons with that (so maybe it’s just me?).
I was torn whether to round up or round down for my star rating…but I’ve read so many mid-to-bad mysteries this year, that finding one I genuinely had fun reading made me decide to round it up to a 5.
For all intents and purposes, this is a cozy mystery. It’s got a little more sex and profanity than a typical cozy, but it still fits the subgenre pretty easily. The mystery/humor ratio was on point, it’s well-paced, and the three MCs are distinct and likable. If Montgomery decides this needs a sequel, I’m seated for it.
This hits for me on a lot of points that make me love a book- female friendships, dry humor, a sassy old broad, likable protagonists, and murder. It gives Marlow Murder Club vibes, so if you’re into that series, you’d probably dig this book.
This is a 4.5. The one real strike against it is that I felt like Margot’s husband was a real piece of shit and the novel never actually reckons with that (so maybe it’s just me?).
I was torn whether to round up or round down for my star rating…but I’ve read so many mid-to-bad mysteries this year, that finding one I genuinely had fun reading made me decide to round it up to a 5.
August 5, 2026
A satirical novel set in a small town in the south where everyone is dog obsessed to the point there's a reality show based on dogs being filmed there. I enjoyed the cozy mystery and went in with an open mind that what happened in the novel was not suppose to be taken too seriously. It is important to note that the characters are all flawed in their own and we cannot make assumptions about anyone because you don't know what they're going through until you get to know them. The female friendship between Margot, Anne and Sally-Claire was so satisfying to read about because it is the most unlikeliest of friendship.
I recommend Murder Bites for any reader that likes dogs and would be invested in a murder mystery but with a satirical twist.
I recommend Murder Bites for any reader that likes dogs and would be invested in a murder mystery but with a satirical twist.
September 1, 2026
This was a very slow start for me and I honestly wanted to dnf the book until I met Ann. I hated the MFC, she got on my last nerves. I get the whole loving eco friendly vibe, because that’s how I live. However, I do not find it okay to bash other people for their choices to not live that way. There is a way to educate people but not bash them and then turn yourself into a pariah and eliminate yourself from said neighborhood. But maybe that was the point/premise of the book? It was just off putting and left a bad taste for me.
Once Ann got involved things became lighter and a lot funnier. I laughed out loud a few times.
This to me is cozy-ish, it has all the cozy elements but with a lot more storyline. Which from what I have been reading seems to be where cozy mysteries are headed.
I did think I knew who the killer was, but I was wrong, as usual. Lol
Once Ann got involved things became lighter and a lot funnier. I laughed out loud a few times.
This to me is cozy-ish, it has all the cozy elements but with a lot more storyline. Which from what I have been reading seems to be where cozy mysteries are headed.
I did think I knew who the killer was, but I was wrong, as usual. Lol
August 28, 2026
The most fun, kooky, zany, laugh-out-loud funny murder mystery!! A lovable cast of characters, some absolutely unhinged scenarios that gave me strong second-hand embarrassment, and a nice heartwarming lesson/ending. Must read!!!
September 3, 2026
It's such a silly fun little murder mystery, kind of gives Thursday Murder Club vibes yet very different setting. It's in a town where everyone is obsessed about their tiny purebreed dogs, and our main character is a very proud activist with her rescue mix, and she does not fit in to say the least so when the dog walker gets murder all eyes turns to her. She befriends the nosy HOA elder who also happens to be the only one who thinks she didn't do it to solve the murder before she gets put behind for a crime she didn't commit.
The book is lightbearted yet has commentary on isolation, self sabotage, toxic cliques, not fitting in, personal growth, and mending wounds you caused.
The book is lightbearted yet has commentary on isolation, self sabotage, toxic cliques, not fitting in, personal growth, and mending wounds you caused.
August 29, 2026
2.5 stars. I think the right reader will enjoy this quirky, cozy mystery more than I did! The writing style and the main character weren’t my favorite.
August 20, 2026
This was hilarious, quirky, and so fun! Go Mimi!!
August 5, 2026
I absolutely devoured this. I preordered it months ago, started it the day it landed, and finished it in just a few hours because I could not put it down.
This book was just plain FUN. The premise is wonderfully ridiculous in the best way, but underneath all the humor is a genuinely solid mystery.
The neighborhood itself may be one of my favorite "characters." I've never read a book filled with so many people who made me simultaneously laugh, roll my eyes, and wonder how so many unhinged individuals (MC not withstanding) could exist in the same zip code. The neighborhood drama was as wild as the murder itself.
And can we talk about the dogs? If your ideal community is measured by the number of canine residents, you've found it. Every time another dog appeared, I was delighted.
The writing never slows down. It's witty, energetic, and incredibly easy to binge. I intended to savor this one, but that plan lasted about ten minutes before I was completely hooked.
If you're looking for a cozy mystery that's quirky without being over-the-top, packed with colorful personalities, laugh-out-loud moments, and a mystery that actually delivers, I'd absolutely recommend picking this one up. Five stars from me.
This book was just plain FUN. The premise is wonderfully ridiculous in the best way, but underneath all the humor is a genuinely solid mystery.
The neighborhood itself may be one of my favorite "characters." I've never read a book filled with so many people who made me simultaneously laugh, roll my eyes, and wonder how so many unhinged individuals (MC not withstanding) could exist in the same zip code. The neighborhood drama was as wild as the murder itself.
And can we talk about the dogs? If your ideal community is measured by the number of canine residents, you've found it. Every time another dog appeared, I was delighted.
The writing never slows down. It's witty, energetic, and incredibly easy to binge. I intended to savor this one, but that plan lasted about ten minutes before I was completely hooked.
If you're looking for a cozy mystery that's quirky without being over-the-top, packed with colorful personalities, laugh-out-loud moments, and a mystery that actually delivers, I'd absolutely recommend picking this one up. Five stars from me.
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...
August 9, 2026
Debut author Mimi Montgomery imagines an over-the top doggy beauty contest/reality TV show, “Pawsh,” (envision “America’s Top Model” for dogs) and sets it in canine-obsessed Glenville, South Carolina. There are so many doggos to fall in love with (if you can disassociate them from their 1%er status fixated owners), but the author brings us a special trio of women who are very unique.
In this quirky, campy, clever, and extremely funny cozy mystery, full of lots of pop culture references, main character, town misfit and DC transplant Margot makes protesting her full time hobby in a village that doesn’t even recycle. Margot is only here because her decent, respected husband Richard has taken over the family hometown bank and is hoping Margot and their two children can find a way to fit in. Margot, however, sort of relishes her outcast status and has moved onto stealing the corny dog-themed re-election signs of Mayor Kathy Jenkins.
The “Pawsh” reality show is going to launch Glenville into the national pop culture psyche and bring in lots of tourism money. Part of that is due to hometown influencer, Boomer, owner of an elite dog-walking service, A Walk to Remember, and his LA film industry connections. Boomer’s sister, Bambi, owns Glenville’s premier pet spa, Bamboozled. Unfortunately, Boomer is killed in an outdoor Halloween display “accident” (involving 12 foot tall Home Depot skeletons holding Starbucks quadruple-Venti pumpkin spice latte cups). Unfortunately, due to a very public country club incident two years ago when Margot blamed Boomer for the subsequent disappearance/estrangement of her adult daughter, Sadie, the immediate gossip targets Margot as a possible murderer.
Margot finds herself forming unconventional alliances with Sally-Claire, of the extreme crafter community and Mommy Mafia, and Anne, the carnation-hating, but hydrangea-safeguarding HOA president (all she wants is to build a Free Little Library as her legacy), both of whom contribute their wacky POVs as well. Margot, Sally-Claire, and Anne set off to solve the presumed crime.
This is a laugh out loud book, with weird comedic scenes including the illegal trafficking of seahorses, attempted Tasering of rose-eating squirrels, and a doggie gender reveal party (gone wrong, of course). Montgomery is extremely imaginative and this a delightfully perfect book for an autumn day, accompanied by a loyal dog, and a steaming pumpkin spice latte. 4.5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Griffin has green-brown eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO But the Glenville HOA president really hates Hattie’s carnations to the point that someone is sprinkling them with salt and vinegar.
Thank you to Ballantine Bantam and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
In this quirky, campy, clever, and extremely funny cozy mystery, full of lots of pop culture references, main character, town misfit and DC transplant Margot makes protesting her full time hobby in a village that doesn’t even recycle. Margot is only here because her decent, respected husband Richard has taken over the family hometown bank and is hoping Margot and their two children can find a way to fit in. Margot, however, sort of relishes her outcast status and has moved onto stealing the corny dog-themed re-election signs of Mayor Kathy Jenkins.
The “Pawsh” reality show is going to launch Glenville into the national pop culture psyche and bring in lots of tourism money. Part of that is due to hometown influencer, Boomer, owner of an elite dog-walking service, A Walk to Remember, and his LA film industry connections. Boomer’s sister, Bambi, owns Glenville’s premier pet spa, Bamboozled. Unfortunately, Boomer is killed in an outdoor Halloween display “accident” (involving 12 foot tall Home Depot skeletons holding Starbucks quadruple-Venti pumpkin spice latte cups). Unfortunately, due to a very public country club incident two years ago when Margot blamed Boomer for the subsequent disappearance/estrangement of her adult daughter, Sadie, the immediate gossip targets Margot as a possible murderer.
Margot finds herself forming unconventional alliances with Sally-Claire, of the extreme crafter community and Mommy Mafia, and Anne, the carnation-hating, but hydrangea-safeguarding HOA president (all she wants is to build a Free Little Library as her legacy), both of whom contribute their wacky POVs as well. Margot, Sally-Claire, and Anne set off to solve the presumed crime.
This is a laugh out loud book, with weird comedic scenes including the illegal trafficking of seahorses, attempted Tasering of rose-eating squirrels, and a doggie gender reveal party (gone wrong, of course). Montgomery is extremely imaginative and this a delightfully perfect book for an autumn day, accompanied by a loyal dog, and a steaming pumpkin spice latte. 4.5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Griffin has green-brown eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO But the Glenville HOA president really hates Hattie’s carnations to the point that someone is sprinkling them with salt and vinegar.
Thank you to Ballantine Bantam and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
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.
August 21, 2026
Thank you so much PRH Audio for the gift of this physical book and audiobook. These honest opinions are all my own.
OH my heavens where do I begin with this? I got this in the mail and got so excited I started it right away knowing nothing about it. For starters, the book feels so good, I know that's weird but the material is different and I like it.
If you are looking for a book that is very real, this is not it. This is so light and funny, so please do not take this book seriously and it will be such an interesting ride. The narrator, Eileen Stevens, did this book so much justice. I believed her and really loved her as Margot, it just fit.
I fell for each of these characters so dang hard, their flaws and all. It is really what made them wonderful. They were all so different and learning from each other. Then on top of all these different personalities, there's the commotion and upheaval of a reality show FOR DOGS! I was cracking up.
Margot and Anne could not be more different, so they think; and they end up partnered together, on their own accord, to figure out what is is going on in their normally quiet town. The camera crew is staying in their town of Glenville, South Carolina, everyone is excited, until someone ends up dead. Margot and Anne are hilarious together trying to solve this case because both of their lives are on the line. Margot's family is being targeted because of her, and Ann is the head of the HOA. This had me cracking up if you are familiar with any HOA. The HOA for my neighborhood has a rating of 2 stars on yelp if that tells you something.
This book is funny and meant to be taken that way and if you do, I think you will enjoy it. They girls deal with the death rather nonchalantly and that made it light and fluffy. The highlight for me were the incredible friendships that formed and when I think of this book I will think of awesome dogs and beautifully crafted friendships and it doesn't get much better than that. While this is wild, I found so many things relatable just on a much smaller scale, it was just wonderful.
꧁𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼꧂
🫡 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙙𝙤 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣.
🐟 𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙜𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙛𝙞𝙨𝙝: 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣, 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙖 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙗𝙡𝙪𝙚.
OH my heavens where do I begin with this? I got this in the mail and got so excited I started it right away knowing nothing about it. For starters, the book feels so good, I know that's weird but the material is different and I like it.
If you are looking for a book that is very real, this is not it. This is so light and funny, so please do not take this book seriously and it will be such an interesting ride. The narrator, Eileen Stevens, did this book so much justice. I believed her and really loved her as Margot, it just fit.
I fell for each of these characters so dang hard, their flaws and all. It is really what made them wonderful. They were all so different and learning from each other. Then on top of all these different personalities, there's the commotion and upheaval of a reality show FOR DOGS! I was cracking up.
Margot and Anne could not be more different, so they think; and they end up partnered together, on their own accord, to figure out what is is going on in their normally quiet town. The camera crew is staying in their town of Glenville, South Carolina, everyone is excited, until someone ends up dead. Margot and Anne are hilarious together trying to solve this case because both of their lives are on the line. Margot's family is being targeted because of her, and Ann is the head of the HOA. This had me cracking up if you are familiar with any HOA. The HOA for my neighborhood has a rating of 2 stars on yelp if that tells you something.
This book is funny and meant to be taken that way and if you do, I think you will enjoy it. They girls deal with the death rather nonchalantly and that made it light and fluffy. The highlight for me were the incredible friendships that formed and when I think of this book I will think of awesome dogs and beautifully crafted friendships and it doesn't get much better than that. While this is wild, I found so many things relatable just on a much smaller scale, it was just wonderful.
꧁𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼꧂
🫡 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙙𝙤 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣.
🐟 𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙜𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙛𝙞𝙨𝙝: 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣, 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙖 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙗𝙡𝙪𝙚.
August 25, 2026
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5 stars)
Murder Bites by Mimi Montgomery was a fun, quirky murder mystery that definitely doesn’t take itself too seriously. Margot has recently moved from Washington, D.C. to Glenville, South Carolina, where she already feels completely out of place. Things only get worse when a local dog walker is killed in a bizarre accident and Margot quickly becomes the person everyone suspects. With the help of a couple of unexpected new friends, she decides she has no choice but to investigate and clear her own name.
There was a lot about this one that I enjoyed. The dog-obsessed town, ridiculous reality show surrounding couture canines, over-the-top residents, and completely chaotic murder investigation made for a really unique setup. I especially liked the friendship that develops between Margot, Anne, and Sally-Claire. Their personalities and antics gave the story some of its funniest moments, and I liked that underneath all of the craziness there were also some genuinely sweet moments about friendship, family, and finding people who accept you.
That said, the humor was sometimes a little too much for me. There are so many jokes, pop-culture references, and exaggerated situations that at times it felt like the story was trying a little too hard to be funny. It also took me a while to warm up to Margot. She is intentionally flawed and outspoken, which can be entertaining, but there were moments when her choices made it difficult for me to completely root for her.
I also thought some of the writing could have been tightened up. Certain information and character details felt repetitive, and the different points of view didn’t always feel distinct enough from one another. Still, the mystery itself kept me interested, and I appreciated that I didn’t completely figure out where everything was headed.
Overall, Murder Bites was entertaining and memorable, even if it didn’t completely work for me. If you like your murder mysteries campy, chaotic, dog-filled, and heavy on humor, this could be a really fun read. For me, it landed right in the middle at 3 stars.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine | Bantam for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Murder Bites by Mimi Montgomery was a fun, quirky murder mystery that definitely doesn’t take itself too seriously. Margot has recently moved from Washington, D.C. to Glenville, South Carolina, where she already feels completely out of place. Things only get worse when a local dog walker is killed in a bizarre accident and Margot quickly becomes the person everyone suspects. With the help of a couple of unexpected new friends, she decides she has no choice but to investigate and clear her own name.
There was a lot about this one that I enjoyed. The dog-obsessed town, ridiculous reality show surrounding couture canines, over-the-top residents, and completely chaotic murder investigation made for a really unique setup. I especially liked the friendship that develops between Margot, Anne, and Sally-Claire. Their personalities and antics gave the story some of its funniest moments, and I liked that underneath all of the craziness there were also some genuinely sweet moments about friendship, family, and finding people who accept you.
That said, the humor was sometimes a little too much for me. There are so many jokes, pop-culture references, and exaggerated situations that at times it felt like the story was trying a little too hard to be funny. It also took me a while to warm up to Margot. She is intentionally flawed and outspoken, which can be entertaining, but there were moments when her choices made it difficult for me to completely root for her.
I also thought some of the writing could have been tightened up. Certain information and character details felt repetitive, and the different points of view didn’t always feel distinct enough from one another. Still, the mystery itself kept me interested, and I appreciated that I didn’t completely figure out where everything was headed.
Overall, Murder Bites was entertaining and memorable, even if it didn’t completely work for me. If you like your murder mysteries campy, chaotic, dog-filled, and heavy on humor, this could be a really fun read. For me, it landed right in the middle at 3 stars.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine | Bantam for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2026
Mimi Montgomery’s Murder Bites had me wondering if I’d survive the murder… or the neighborhood. Bantam, thank you so much for the gifted book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don’t think I’ve ever read a town where people cared so much about their dogs, their neighbors, and what everyone else was doing. It was a little ridiculous, but that’s exactly what made it fun.
Margot is having a rough time from the very beginning. Moving from Washington, D.C., to a small South Carolina town wasn’t her idea, and she never really finds her footing. She’s blunt, she’s stubborn, and she has a talent for making bad situations even worse. So when the local dog walker is murdered, nobody has much trouble believing she did it.
I honestly wasn’t sure how I felt about Margot during those first few chapters. There were moments when I wanted to shake her. Then I realized that’s what made her interesting. She isn’t polished. She isn’t trying to be the perfect heroine. She’s messy, frustrated, and trying to figure out where she belongs.
Anne quickly became my favorite. Every time she appeared, I knew something entertaining was about to happen. I loved the back-and-forth between her, Margot, and Sally-Claire. None of them seemed like people who would become friends, but somehow it worked. Watching that friendship grow ended up meaning as much to me as solving the murder.
The mystery kept moving, but I found myself looking forward just as much to the neighborhood drama. Everyone seemed to have an opinion. Everyone had something to hide. The dog reality show, the Halloween decorations, and the endless gossip gave the whole story its own personality.
This isn’t a cozy mystery that takes itself too seriously, and I think that’s why I enjoyed it. It made me laugh, kept me guessing, and left me hoping we’ll see these characters again.
If you enjoy quirky small towns, memorable characters, plenty of humor, and a mystery that’s more charming than dark, I’d say add this one to your list.
What’s the strangest small-town setting you’ve come across in a mystery?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don’t think I’ve ever read a town where people cared so much about their dogs, their neighbors, and what everyone else was doing. It was a little ridiculous, but that’s exactly what made it fun.
Margot is having a rough time from the very beginning. Moving from Washington, D.C., to a small South Carolina town wasn’t her idea, and she never really finds her footing. She’s blunt, she’s stubborn, and she has a talent for making bad situations even worse. So when the local dog walker is murdered, nobody has much trouble believing she did it.
I honestly wasn’t sure how I felt about Margot during those first few chapters. There were moments when I wanted to shake her. Then I realized that’s what made her interesting. She isn’t polished. She isn’t trying to be the perfect heroine. She’s messy, frustrated, and trying to figure out where she belongs.
Anne quickly became my favorite. Every time she appeared, I knew something entertaining was about to happen. I loved the back-and-forth between her, Margot, and Sally-Claire. None of them seemed like people who would become friends, but somehow it worked. Watching that friendship grow ended up meaning as much to me as solving the murder.
The mystery kept moving, but I found myself looking forward just as much to the neighborhood drama. Everyone seemed to have an opinion. Everyone had something to hide. The dog reality show, the Halloween decorations, and the endless gossip gave the whole story its own personality.
This isn’t a cozy mystery that takes itself too seriously, and I think that’s why I enjoyed it. It made me laugh, kept me guessing, and left me hoping we’ll see these characters again.
If you enjoy quirky small towns, memorable characters, plenty of humor, and a mystery that’s more charming than dark, I’d say add this one to your list.
What’s the strangest small-town setting you’ve come across in a mystery?
September 5, 2026
⭐⭐⭐¾ — 3.75/5
Murder Bites is a cozy pet fiction mystery that keeps you invested through its heartwarming critters and found family vibe.
You follow a ragtag group of misfits as they join together to clear the name of one of their own. She is accused of murdering a well-known dog walker in a community where dog ownership has been taken to an extreme. Think The Breakfast Club meets the Scooby-Doo gang.
Getting to know the characters and watching as they develop their friendships is really what carried me to the end. Our main character, Margo, hasn't done herself any favors with her outrageous acts of protest against anyone and everyone as she rages against the machine. In one of the moments of the book, we find her at the bottom of a pit of despair, surrounded by old takeout wrappers and discarded underwear used to wipe up burrito spills. The author really creates a wonderful blend of careful humor and some real true grit that makes it feel authentic.
My favorite character, Anne, is a woman in the golden years of her life. It was an enjoyable experience to follow along with her as she developed a renewed thirst for living. In a world where the vast majority of books focus on young coming-of-age stories, this was a beautiful and touching look at how you can find new purpose in your later years.
Although I felt the plot had some weak elements, I believe the author was attempting to extend the novel to allow enough space for the found family relationships to develop. This resulted in some awkward dead-end moments and unnecessary detours, which did cause the mystery to feel somewhat convoluted. By the final resolution, it felt a little phoned in, and I realized I wasn't reading for the mystery anymore. I was reading to spend more time with the characters.
I genuinely enjoyed getting to know the people of Glenville and felt like I was cheerleading for our Goonies gang in their quests. And that is where I felt this landed at 3.75 stars for me.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
Murder Bites is a cozy pet fiction mystery that keeps you invested through its heartwarming critters and found family vibe.
You follow a ragtag group of misfits as they join together to clear the name of one of their own. She is accused of murdering a well-known dog walker in a community where dog ownership has been taken to an extreme. Think The Breakfast Club meets the Scooby-Doo gang.
Getting to know the characters and watching as they develop their friendships is really what carried me to the end. Our main character, Margo, hasn't done herself any favors with her outrageous acts of protest against anyone and everyone as she rages against the machine. In one of the moments of the book, we find her at the bottom of a pit of despair, surrounded by old takeout wrappers and discarded underwear used to wipe up burrito spills. The author really creates a wonderful blend of careful humor and some real true grit that makes it feel authentic.
My favorite character, Anne, is a woman in the golden years of her life. It was an enjoyable experience to follow along with her as she developed a renewed thirst for living. In a world where the vast majority of books focus on young coming-of-age stories, this was a beautiful and touching look at how you can find new purpose in your later years.
Although I felt the plot had some weak elements, I believe the author was attempting to extend the novel to allow enough space for the found family relationships to develop. This resulted in some awkward dead-end moments and unnecessary detours, which did cause the mystery to feel somewhat convoluted. By the final resolution, it felt a little phoned in, and I realized I wasn't reading for the mystery anymore. I was reading to spend more time with the characters.
I genuinely enjoyed getting to know the people of Glenville and felt like I was cheerleading for our Goonies gang in their quests. And that is where I felt this landed at 3.75 stars for me.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
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