At night, Paige dreams of being a cross between Brenda Starr and Agatha Christie, researching and writing the next great crime novel. While clipping crime stories from the dailies one morning (another brainless task she is required to perform each day), a story about a murdered waitress, Barbara Comstock, catches her eye. Certain that she is the one who should write Babs's story, Paige keeps the clipping and decides to look into Babs's life and death herself. Paige recognizes the newspaper photo as one of the headshots that she has filed in the office, and uses the photography studio marked on the back as a jumping off place for her investigation.

As Paige begins to follow her nose from bohemian Greenwich Village to the glamour of midtown Manhattan to the more residential Brooklyn, she ruffles more than a few feathers, starting with her hard playing bosses, and possibly ending with the mob family that lives across the street. While sexy detective Dan Street is re-awakening Paige's libido after being widowed, he also warns her off the case. When he realizes that Paige has a one-track mind, he gives in and asks what she has found out. He soon realizes she may be more than a pretty face, even if she is about to become the next victim.

Murderers Prefer Blondes is a snappy first mystery with a pert new heroine. Paige is an interesting dichotomy; on one hand, she is a determined, nervy, modern woman, while on the other hand, she is still the old-fashioned grieving widow, unsure of her new role in life. Her neighbor and best friend Abby is a contrast to Paige, as her lifestyle is more bohemian and freer, yet she cares for Paige very much and spends equal amounts of time encouraging her and protecting her from herself. The men in Paige's office may seem stereotypical in their treatment of her, but placed in this time period, they are kept believable without becoming caricatures.

Amanda Matetstky has authentically captured the Village of the mid-fifties admirably, from the Italian crime families that ruled certain areas to the bearded beat poets who hung out in smoky coffeehouses. The mystery offers plenty of possibilities and though the solution is fairly obvious, the way all the loose ends are tied together is very clever. Reminiscent of mid-twentieth century crime novels, Murderers Prefer Blondes is a fast-paced, smart debut with a feisty heroine that entertains and keeps readers eagerly turning Paiges. [sic]

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry