Murder Bites by Mimi Montgomery ~ a Review

by MK French

Margot Cartwright moved from Washington, DC, to Glenville, South Carolina, and doesn't fit in. Most resident would do anything to have their precious dogs star on Pawsh, a reality TV show about couture canines. Margot isn't interested and even steals her neighbors’ pro-Pawsh signs, making her the neighborhood pariah. When the local dog walker is killed in a bizarre accident, most think it was Margot. To clear her name, Margot must find the real killer before they strike again, but she needs help. She soon finds it in Anne, the widow determined to maintain her reign over the HOA, and Sally-Claire, a 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.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

August 2026; Bantam; 979-8217092536
audio, ebook, print (320 pages); cozy mystery

Margot is kind of a mess in the beginning, with no friends and a willingness to disrupt the lives of others if she disagrees with them and their priorities. Adopting rescue dogs is admirable, but not something her socially conscious neighbors will care much about. Her social justice activism is generally curtailed in Glenville, so she takes everything personally and goes over the top. Anne is over the top in a different way; the HOA is the only way she has to express her individuality and independence, and she has all the spy gear to enforce the rules and catch others in lies. 

I found Margot irritating in the beginning, and couldn't see why her husband stayed with her. Advocating for causes is important, but she isn't necessarily better than her neighbors or blameless in her ostracized status in town. I like how she and our other POV characters acknowledge this aspect of her time there, yet still take the time to get to know her and understand why she acts that way. Much like Margot had to learn more about her neighbors and be more empathetic, we move through that as well. Some of the townsfolk are intense, giving an unintentionally comedic effect, and the different groups of people badmouthing each other really does feel like a high school story. The red herrings that Margot, Anne, and Sally-Claire unearth lead to utterly ridiculous and madcap moments until we get to the finale, where the truth is revealed. Everything changes, and it's a really good ending given the tension of the beginning. 

Buy Murder Bites at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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