Murder Bites: A Novel
Mystery/Suburban Fiction
Setting – South Carolina
Publisher : Bantam
Publication date : August 4, 2026
Print length : 309 pages
Paperback
ISBN-13 : 979-8217092536
ASIN : B0FZSGRZ59
Kindle
ISBN-13 : 979-8217092543
ASIN : B0FZ7YQ81Y
Audiobook
ASIN B0G19D42H7
A city transplant in a dog-obsessed small town becomes the prime suspect when the local dog walker is murdered in this charmingly quirky and clever mystery.
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?
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.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
Mimi Montgomery is a reporter at Axios. She’s written for 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 husband, son, and several furry dependents. This is her first novel. Website Instagram Newsletter
I wish I had a copy to give away, but sadly I don’t,
so I am giving away a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card!
The contest is open to individuals 18 years of age or older.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
You do not have to be a follower to enter, but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page.
Subscribe to Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book via Email for 3 Bonus Entries.
See box at the top of the right sidebar or in the footer at the bottom of the page.
Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads
for 3 Bonus Entries.
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.
If you share the giveaway on Threads, Facebook, etc., you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
The Contest Will End on September 3, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST
The Winner Will Be Chosen Using Random.org
The Winner will be notified by email and posted here in the sidebar.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org, and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.
Discover more from Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book - Great Escapes Book Tours
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
