The Lost Girl of Astor Street & The Secret Investigator of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill are the first two audiobooks in the Piper Sail Mystery series. Narrated by Megan Trout, listeners step into the 1920s with these historical mysteries that reminded me of the Nancy Drew novels I devoured as a child.
by Stephanie Morrill
Series: Piper Sail Mystery #1
Narrator: Megan Trout
Length: 9 hours and 59 minutes
Genres: Historical Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm *affiliate
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.5x
To most people, Piper Sail looks like a rich girl with little potential, but she surprises everyone, including herself, when she starts investigating her best friend’s disappearance. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Maureen Johnson, The Lost Girl of Astor Street combines the allure of Jazz Age Chicago with a twisting mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Lydia has vanished. Lydia, who’s never broken any rules, except falling in love with the wrong boy. Lydia, who’s been Piper’s best friend since they were children. Lydia, who never even said goodbye.
Convinced the police are looking in all the wrong places, eighteen-year-old Piper Sail begins her own investigation into Lydia’s disappearance. With the reluctant help of a handsome young detective, Piper searches for answers in the dark underbelly of 1924 Chicago. Did Lydia get abducted by one of the city’s most notorious gangsters? Or does the trail lead back to their own affluent neighborhood?
Piper must decide if she’s willing to risk her life to find out the truth.
Piper Sail, the daughter of a rich man in 1920s Chicago, is introduced to us in The Lost Girl of Astor Street. She is a senior in high school and has ambitions of attending college when her best friend Lydia goes missing and turns her world on its head.
Right away I liked Piper and her curious, loyal personality. Convinced that the local police aren’t doing enough to locate her missing friend, Piper investigates, and the tale that unfolds pulled me in from the budding relationship between her and a junior detective and the sinister discoveries.
From the author’s attention to historical detail to the mystery itself, the story transported me back to my Nancy Drew era. I found myself completely caught up in both the mystery, which leads us to the Chicago mob, and the romance with an Italian detective. The case wraps up, but I am looking forward to more with Piper Sail. Upon finishing, I immediately dove into the next audiobook.
The story is narrated by Megan Trout, who brings Piper’s voice to life. She handled both male and female voices and accents with ease. The story works well in the audio format, and I plan to continue listening.
by Stephanie Morrill
Series: Piper Sail Mystery #2
Narrator: Megan Trout
Length: 10 hours and 36 minutes
Genres: Historical Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm *affiliate
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.5x
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 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.
The Secret Investigator of Astor Street picks up shortly after book one. Piper has graduated and has put off college for the time being, but needs something to do and wants her own funds. She has ideas about moving out of her father’s home and is still dating our handsome detective. She is given the opportunity to work at her former high school when she is approached by a student seeking her help. Her brother’s recent death has been ruled a suicide, but the sister suspects foul play.
This was an intense mystery as Piper goes undercover, scaring family, friends and her boyfriend. Piper delights in having a fresh case and grabs her notebook. While she is skeptical of this being anything more than a suicide, Piper realizes things don’t quite add up.
Once again, the author delighted me with historical aspects of the period, from social limitations to events. The mystery is perfectly paced, feels believable and kept me engaged. The romance between Piper and Detective Mariano. Piper was born in the wrong time period, as she dreams of being a private investigator, but in 1924 that is a daunting task for a woman. I love how Mariano supports her even when he insists she bring backup.
Once again, Megan Trout narrates and does a stellar job of giving voice to these characters and setting the tone of the story. Now that the books are out on audio, I am hoping the author releases another Piper Sail mystery.
*kindleunlimited
About Stephanie Morrill
Stephanie Morrill writes books about girls who are on an adventure to discover their unique place in the world. She is the author of several historical young adult novels, including the Piper Sail Mysteries and Within These Lines, which was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, as well as a YALSA 2020 Best Fiction for Young Adults pick. Stephanie also encourages the next generation of writers at her website, Go Teen Writers, which has been on the Writer’s Digest Best Websites for Writers list since 2017. She lives in the Kansas City area, where she loves plotting big and small adventures to enjoy with her husband and three children.
About Megan Trout
Megan Trout is a Bay Area–based narration, voice, and theater artist. She has been seen and heard on stage, screen, radio, and podcast. No matter what form they take, she loves stories. She loves to create detailed, tangible worlds for her and her listeners to get lost in together. Megan enjoys most genres . . . but if she had to narrow it down she'd list: terrifying thrillers, poignant fiction, true crime, historical fiction, and harrowing biographies of courageous women (in no particular order).
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
Sounds like a fun series! Glad you’re enjoying it.
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
This sounds like a fun cozy historical mystery series! I’ll check it out!
Sophia Rose
Ha! I had Nancy Drew vibes going from the cover and blurb and then you said it. 🙂
These sound great. Thanks for putting me onto them.
Jen Twimom
This sounds like something I’d enjoy. But it really threw me for a loop when you mentioned “Nancy Drew era” because in my head Nancy is from the 70s when I grew up. Isn’t that funny.
Mary Kirkland
Both sound really good.
Nadene
You got my attention when you said they reminded you of the Nancy Drew mysteries.
Anne - Books of My Heart
Sounds fun. Wonderful reviews!