Murder Bites: A Novel
Mimi Montgomery
Aug 2026 · Sold by Bantam
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5 reviews
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320
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About this ebook
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.
“[Montgomery’s] zany humor, keen sense of the absurd, and acerbic characters with hidden reserves of emotional complexity make Murder Bites a delicious pleasure.”—The New York Times Book Review (Best New Mystery Books)
“A delightful mashup of Desperate Housewives and Best in Show, Murder Bites is laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly heartwarming. A very fun ride, from a totally original new voice.”—Marisa Kashino, author of the Good Morning America Book Club pick Best Offer Wins
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?
“[Montgomery’s] zany humor, keen sense of the absurd, and acerbic characters with hidden reserves of emotional complexity make Murder Bites a delicious pleasure.”—The New York Times Book Review (Best New Mystery Books)
“A delightful mashup of Desperate Housewives and Best in Show, Murder Bites is laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly heartwarming. A very fun ride, from a totally original new voice.”—Marisa Kashino, author of the Good Morning America Book Club pick Best Offer Wins
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 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.
“[Montgomery’s] zany humor, keen sense of the absurd, and acerbic characters with hidden reserves of emotional complexity make Murder Bites...
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Ratings and reviews
5 reviews
Carolyn Valdez
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August 13, 2026
Although this is the author’s debut novel, I feel that she did an excellent job and would definitely want to read more of her works. The story was funny, had quirky characters, and I love the three characters who formed a friendship together even if you wouldn’t have thought they would. I can’t wait to see what else Ms. Montgomery will bring us. I received an ARC from NetGallery and I’m leaving an honest and voluntary review.
Andrea Romance
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August 30, 2026
Margot's rebellious streak makes her the neighborhood pariah, and after a bizarre killing, she becomes the prime suspect. This book should appeal to fans of Finlay Donovan and the Thursday Murder Club. Margot is a fun character but a bit of a curmudgeon, who (fortunately) shows some growth during the course of the novel. The book is quirky and entertaining—a brilliant debut and a good setup for a series. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Carvanz
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August 4, 2026
What a hilarious, madcap read! The characters were quirky, fun, and full of personality. But underneath all the humor was a surprisingly sweet story about loneliness, finding your people, and seeing yourself a little differently. I loved it.
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.
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 Georg...
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