This book followed on from the lost girl from Astor street which is an excellent read. The sequel has the same blend of investigation into a murder, personal introspection and love interest. The main character, Piper Sail is great, indefatigable in her enquiry yet a vulnerable caring pers9n underneath. The book explores the world of Chicago in the 1920’s on the fringe of mob culture casts a sinister shadow in the background. The plot maintains your interest with some red herrings and unexpected twists and turns. Throughout, Piper thinks she is not good enough to be a private investigator and doubts herself despite the opinion of others saying that she is highly intelligent and bold as brass. There is a lesson there for us all. Don’t look down on your own abilities. All in all, a satisfying read

In 1920s Chicago, society girl Piper secretly investigates a case the police ruled a suicide, navigating the city’s underworld to prove it was murder.

This is an intriguing YA romance with Prohibition-era mobster overtones. Piper’s relationships with her family and friends were well developed and the mystery kept me guessing.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

It wasn’t for me. That’s not to say it was a bad book, it just wasn’t my vibe anymore. I’ve read so many older mysteries with older characters that this young adult just didn’t meet my expectations. Again, I don’t think it was a bad book, Stephanie Morrill is a fantastic author, and very talented.

If you want a mystery that is perfect for younger audiences, this book series is perfect for them ☺️

i am going to close my eyes and pretend this book does not exist ❤️ sometimes books don’t need sequels and that’s okay! it hurts my heart to say this because i LOVED the first book…but it felt like they threw out all the character development from the first book. Mariano, my baby, they destroyed you 😔

The Secret Investigator of Astor Street is an excellent sequel with more twists and turns and strong themes about self-acceptance.

I love that this book follows right along with book one. Unlike many mystery series where the plot stands on its own, this book continues with the struggles that arose from the events of book one. Piper is struggling with what to do next in life while also trying to juggle new developments in several of her relationships with others.

The case she investigates is intriguing and heartbreaking, and the different pieces she uncovers kept me guessing as to what really happened. I also love that this case dove into different facets of 1920s Chicago. It was cool to see more of the underbelly of crime at work in contrast to Piper's everyday life.

How Piper navigates her relationship with Mariano, her new stepmother, and her friendship with Emma were also highlights of the story. Each of these side plots made me want another book to find out what happens next with Piper and those around her. I also just need another story with Piper and Emma solving a case together as partners.

Overall, this is a fantastic sequel and a great historical mystery. I adore that the focus of this book is on Piper learning to give herself permission to be who she is and to accept that she is capable of being an investigator.

I thought this was a cute cover so I snagged it before realizing it was book two in a series. I thought it would be just a quick, cute cozy, but that's not what this is. And since it was book two, I had to find book one at the library. That also a two-star read for me.

In book one, eighteen-year-old Piper's best friend Lydia disappears. Piper is convinced that the police are looking in the wrong direction, so she begins an investigation of her own. I really struggled with that book, and I not so nicely called Piper an 'absolute moron' in my quick review of it. She was so naive and honestly, a bit of a brat throughout much of the book.

The second issue was that the book did not feel like it was taking place in the 1920s. It felt very forced, like dropping in a bunch of words used in the 20s would create the feel of the decade, but it didn't. It felt awkward and like we had to constantly be told over and over, we're in 1920s Chicago through the vocabulary choices of the characters.

These same issues continued in the second book. It still doesn't feel natural, the decade doesn't feel like the 20s, until Piper is saying trilby or cloche, or telling us she is grabbing a beaded bag to take out with her.

Piper has now graduated from high school and doesn't really know what she is doing with her life. She's slowly recovering from Lydia's death and the solving of that case, when a new case is brought to her attention by a friend. Recently the girl's brother died and it was ruled a suicide. She insists he would not have killed himself, and Piper takes the case.

I feel like this story could take place in any city, in any time period. And that is my biggest complaint, because it does not feel like the 20s. This is one of my favorite eras to read about, fiction or non-fiction, and it makes me so sad this series is not working for me.

I also take a major issue with this book being billed as a good one for fans of Agatha Christie. Absolutely not. That's actually offensive.

I will not be reading any more in the series.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

This is one of the best cozy mysteries I have read this year! Not only was the mystery perfectly crafted, but the side characters were well developed. Even though as readers we can never understand why they would get into those situations, there are so many relationship dynamics that are relatable.

Piper has been hired to look into the death of Clarence, whose death has been declared a suicide. His sister cannot believe he killed himself because he was always happy. Which, really, I really had no idea if Piper was going to discover he actually killed himself or not. (Maybe he did and maybe didn't... including trigger warning because of discussions of it).

Definitely would recommend this book to anyone looking for their next cozy book. Already requested the first book in series (since I haven't read it yet), and I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

Triggers: Suicide and Depression

i really liked how this historical mystery worked. it felt grounded throughout and had some good vibes and great feels. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

What an adorable, suspenseful sequel! This universe and characters are really growing on me. I enjoyed this so much.

Set in 1920s Chicago, Piper is hot on the trail of solving mysteries. She straddles the line between polite society and pushing the boundaries of a woman's role. She is approached by a girl wanting answers about the death of her brother, convinced he was murdered. Piper begins her quest to come to answers, delving into Chicago's mafia controlled streets.

I enjoyed this fun, cozy mystery. There is a little bit of romance to mix into the storyline, and I had a lot of fun figuring out the clues and unwinding the mystery with Piper. Also, Piper is a great female lead character, eschewing her "role" to follow what she really wants.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blink for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

1924 Chicago, Illinois

Sheer Delight to discover a companion novel to the author's 2017 release featuring budding investigator Piper Sail.

As a high school graduate, Piper is certain that she wants to be a private investigator, but the 1920s isn't ready for that. However...while working as a secretary at her former high school a student approaches Piper asking if she would figure out what really happened to her brother Clarence. The student is convinced that her brother didn't commit suicide. Can Piper figure out what really happened?

Lots of wonderful historical references from the time period combined with an engaging mystery equal a wonderful novel. Now please let there be another book in the series.

I really enjoyed this long-awaited follow up to The Lost Girl of Astor Street. I love the time period and how things are changing for women. But also how all of Piper’s relationships are changing, and how it affects her and informs her choices. I’d be really eager to read more in this series. Thanks to Blink for the ARC.

Set in 1928 Chicago, The Secret Investigator of Astor Street follows Piper Sail, a determined young woman who dreams of becoming a private investigator, which is no small feat in an era when society expects her to settle for a safe, respectable job.

After attending a high school presentation ceremony, Piper is approached by Louisa Dell, who is convinced her brother Clarence’s recent death, officially ruled a suicide, was actually murder.

Unable to resist the lure of a real case, Piper takes on the investigation but soon finds herself at a loss as secrets pile up, suspects multiply, and the truth proves far more difficult to prove than she expected.

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One of the book’s greatest strengths is its sense of time and place. Stephanie Morrill’s research is meticulous; she even gives us a glimpse into how she crafted the time and place at the back of the book, which is an added bonus.

It’s also refreshing to see a historical mystery novel that doesn’t gloss over the realities of the era. Piper’s self-doubt, her moments of frustration, and her small victories all feel earned and real.

It makes her triumphs all the sweeter and her character all the more relatable.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable book. I just hope that we don't have to wait as long for the third one as we did for the second, because I'm fully invested in Piper Sail's life now!

With thanks to NetGalley for the early copy in return for an honest review.

“The Secret Investigator of Astor Street” is the second in the Piper Sail Mystery series by Stephanie Morrill. Piper has graduated from high school in 1920s Chicago, but is a bit at loose ends. To her surprise, she is offered a secretary’s position at her former school and is shortly approached by a student to investigate the death of her brother. Piper jumps at the chance. Once again, Piper tip-toes on the edge of the seediest parts of Chicago, which, of course, greatly concerns her detective boyfriend, Mariano. Family drama continues to frustrate Piper.

I really like Piper Sail. Again, she reminds me of a more mature Nancy Drew with real problems and a complicated family life. Piper is impetuous at times, but is also becoming more reflective about her own actions and how they impact those around her. She is forthright with Mariano, who sees the value in letting Piper be herself. I look forward to the next book in the series!

This book is great for those who enjoy historical mysteries or are fans of the Nancy Drew series.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Blink, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"After high school graduation, Piper Sail isn't quite sure what her future holds - until a possible murder case lands in her lap. Filled with both the glitz and glamor of high society and the dark mafia underbelly of 1920s Chicago, The Secret Investigator of Astor Street is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Maureen Johnson.

Piper Sail knows what she wants: to become a detective. After all, she already solved the case of her missing best friend, and there's no shortage of crime in 1920s Chicago. But for an eighteen-year-old society girl - even one who's currently dating a police investigator - it simply isn't done.

That is, until a girl asks her to dig into her brother's recent death. The police ruled it a suicide, but she's convinced it was murder. And she wants Piper to help her prove it.

In this companion to The Lost Girl of Astor Street, Piper once again grabs her notebook and plunges into the underworld of mafia-controlled Chicago. But she'll need all her wits and courage if she wants to become The Secret Investigator of Astor Street."

And if you fell for Piper Sail, good news, here's book two already!

Thanks to Netgallery for this ARC.
This was so great, love the first book and this is just a great. Reading Piper as she tries to work her first case while juggling her job at her old Alma mater. She also has doubts if she can be a private investigator, also she had worries that her relationship with Mariano. This was so much fun and can't wait for the next one if it happens.

+4 stars for a great read

🔍📝💰

I WAS RIGHTTTTT🤌🤌
i locked in my answer early on bc usually i suspect everyone until the last minute and that feels like cheating and i was CORRECT woo!

anyways, it was so fun to be with piper again. she reminds me a lot of pip from a good girl’s guide… (idk if i said that in book 1’s review or not), and the case was pretty interesting.

the reasons why i knocked off a star:

-the pacing was a little 🤏 slow due to some repetitiveness (piper going over the same clues again and again and coming to the same conclusion)

-the romance aspect. at first i thought there was gonna be a love triangle bc jeremiah was prominent, and mariano was slacking, but then that changed… and then mariano asked to be piper’s partner and only accompanied her on one mission, for lack of better words lol. he was like there but also not?? they did have some cute moments together though, and they are a good couple, so i’ll give them that. it just seems like we never really get to see much substance to their relationship since most of their conversations are about the case she’s working on. the cannoli convo was nice though.

-i feel like the reveal was a bit of a let down. i mean it’s built up so much and then the person is just like “sigh, yes it was me 😔”. after almost getting choked, i’ll add, but still. i wanted that to be more dramatic.

-the writing style is a bit odd… scenes just cut off and transition so fast

but yeah other than that this was fun! i hope this continues to be a series.
thank you to netgalley for the arc :)

A cozy sequel to the stunning novel "The Lost Girl of Astor Street". We follow Piper after her success with solving the disappearance of her late friends, and what she plans to do after. She becomes a semi-private investigator after a murder case basically drops from the sky. If you need a light read--well as light as murder can be--to read on a rainy afternoon, pick this up!

This. Book.

I've loved The Lost Girl of Astor Street for several years now, so when I heard the INCREDIBLE news that we were getting a sequel, I was shrieking in excitement. As soon as it became available on Netgalley, I snagged my copy and dove in.
Oh my goodness, dare I say that this book is even better than the first one? It's so hard to know what to even say without giving away spoilers, but after I hit the 30% mark on this book, my kids and husband couldn't find me anymore. Because I was hiding in my closet reading because I had to know what was going to happen next. And I didn't leave my hideout until I'd finished the book. Yes, it was that good.
Morrill dives even deeper into all of Piper's relationships, and we readers get to explore the complications of her life after graduating from school. As a young rich girl, there are so many expectations placed upon her. Expectations she neither knows how nor wants to live up to. All she wants to do is help others, but how to do that as a girl?
I love how Piper is strong yet feminine. How she doesn't hesitate to ask for help when she needs it, yet she also believes in herself and her abilities and is willing to advocate for herself. And Mariano. Again, can I just say SWOON. I adore him and the way he supports and encourages Piper while walking through his own mafia family's darkness.
And the mystery itself. I had so many theories and ideas and almost took out my own notebook like Piper's to write down all the clues and ideas that I had about whodunnit and why. Whoo! That ending was phenomenal! I was so happy to finally read a mystery that you could go along the entire journey with the protagonist. It was solvable if you were paying attention but it had enough surprises and twists that it kept you on your toes. Ah, it was just so good and I would love more Piper Sail mysteries!

The Secret Investigator of Astor Street continues the tale of Piper Sail, erstwhile private investigator. She has a new case, this time proving that the suicide of a student's brother was really murder. In the background, Piper's relationship with detective Mariano continues and develops. Piper investigates the mafia of Chicago and eventually finds the culprit. The ending was the beginning of a third case, so this is definitely a series that may have many books. Each one resolves the crime and can be read as a stand alone, but there are characters who evolve in each book. There are themes of death, suicide, betrayal, romance and murder. The books in this series are squeaky clean and are appropriate for anyone.

I received an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.