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Murder Bites: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 4 Aug 26A 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?
- GenresMystery Thriller
Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After going from the outcast to being labeled as a murderer, Margot is determined to prove she is innocent.
The humor throughout this book was really well done. I laughed when Margot mentioned the comment about the Rainbow Fish book.
Quinn's fiesty attitude and backhanded comments definitely made me laugh. I couldn't believe they talked about bejewling Cooper's butthole 🤣
I loved the mention of the movie Snow Dogs in one of the chapters! That movie came out when I was in elementary school, so that was a fun memory.
The drama around Boomer's treats was super interesting and it was fun to read about.
I always love when a book mentions my favorite fast food place, Taco Bell! The idea of someone writing about the waffle taco made me laugh. Definitely some retired menu items that are worth doing that for!
This was a super fun murder mystery and I loved that it was themed around a dog show! All of the dogs sounded super cute and the humor was really well done. Thank you to Netgalley, Ballantine, and Mimi Montgomery for an ARC of this book.
The humor throughout this book was really well done. I laughed when Margot mentioned the comment about the Rainbow Fish book.
Quinn's fiesty attitude and backhanded comments definitely made me laugh. I couldn't believe they talked about bejewling Cooper's butthole 🤣
I loved the mention of the movie Snow Dogs in one of the chapters! That movie came out when I was in elementary school, so that was a fun memory.
The drama around Boomer's treats was super interesting and it was fun to read about.
I always love when a book mentions my favorite fast food place, Taco Bell! The idea of someone writing about the waffle taco made me laugh. Definitely some retired menu items that are worth doing that for!
This was a super fun murder mystery and I loved that it was themed around a dog show! All of the dogs sounded super cute and the humor was really well done. Thank you to Netgalley, Ballantine, and Mimi Montgomery for an ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews