Compelling historical fiction for today's teens
Stephanie Morrill writes books about girls who are on an adventure to discover their unique place in the world and is the author of several award-winning historical young adult novels. The Piper Sail Mysteries are set in 1920s Chicago and are ideal for readers who love amateur sleuth stories with a touch of romance. Within These Lines is a WWII romance and was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, as well as a YALSA 2020 Best Fiction for Young Adults pick.
The latest book from Stephanie Morrill
The Secret Investigator of Astor Street, Young Adult Historical Mystery
About The Secret Investigator of Astor Street
Piper Sail Mysteries Book 2
Piper Sail has a new mystery to solve—and a future to figure out.
Only a few months ago, eighteen-year-old Piper Sail was solving the mystery behind her best friend’s kidnapping. But with high school behind her, Piper isn’t sure what she’s meant to do next with her life—college holds no interest, and as much as she loves her detective boyfriend, she’s not ready to think about settling down. The one thing she wants is to become an investigator, but that simply isn’t done. Not when you’re a girl, and especially not one from a wealthy family.
When a student at her old school asks Piper to investigate her brother’s death, Piper secretly takes the case. Her determination to discover the truth leads her into the seedy underbelly of 1920s Chicago, where clue after clue indicates there’s more to the brother’s death than what the family has been told.
But shifts in her personal relationships and the case itself leave Piper doubting if she’s truly fit to be an investigator at all. As danger closes in, Piper will need all her wit and daring to uncover the truth—before she becomes the next victim.
Order The Secret Investigator of Astor Street:
Also available as an audiobook:
Join the inner circle.
Get free ebooks.
If you want to be first to know about upcoming releases, author events, and special sales, sign up to receive monthly emails from Stephanie. When you do, you’ll receive for free a short story about Piper and Lydia from The Lost Girl of Astor Street as well as The Newbie’s Guide To Writing Historical Fiction.
Stories That Stay With Readers
Nadine Brandes, bestselling and award-winning author of Fawkes, Romanov, and The Nightmare Virus
“I would follow Piper anywhere—into speakeasies, smoky backrooms, or straight into danger. This is historical fiction at its most fun!”
Lorie Langdon, author of the Disney Happily Never After series
“A delightful whodunit mystery that will have you flying through the pages and wishing the indomitable Piper Sail could be your best friend. I loved everything about The Secret Investigator of Astor Street, from the 1920s setting to the sweet romance and the suspenseful anticipation Stephanie Morrill expertly builds with every chapter. A highly recommended read for all ages!”
From Booklist:
“Morrill produces a historical novel that blends devastating true events with lifelike fictional characters as it brings history to life.”
From the Writing Desk: Book News, Events, and YA Historical Fiction
Yoga, Biscotti, and Baseball in March: 8 Things I Hope To Enjoy In The Next Year
(If you subscribe to my monthly mailing, you saw this list last week! If you'd like to subscribe, click here.) In October, in celebration of turning 33, I made a list of 33 things that I’ve learned over the last year. I've made lists like that several years for my...
First look at the full cover for The Lost Girl of Astor Street!
Writing a novel takes a long time. Even if you're a fast writer. To stay motivated during the writing process, we have to make up milestones for ourselves so that it actually feels like we're making progress. Many of us also let ourselves dream about those Big...
Podcasts, Gray Hair, and the Oxford Comma: 33 Things I’ve Learned In The Last Year
Maybe it's a bit lame to still get excited about my birthday, but I turn 33 on Friday. Previous birthdays, I've made lists about favorite things I've discovered or learned in the last year. This is the first list where I'm really starting to show my age (I kick it off...
8 Nonfiction Books That Changed Me
About twice a month, I get together with an amazing group of ladies. These are women with whom I've walked through hard life stuff, and our time together is always encouraging, rejuvenating, and challenging. Several weeks ago, one of the women led the group in an...
Life on the Ketogenic Diet – Breakfast
Author's note: My six-year-old son, Connor, has epilepsy, which we control with a medical diet, the Ketogenic Diet. This diet is prescribed by a doctor and overseen by a team of dietitians. The Ketogenic diet is a high fat, low protein, low carb diet that causes the...
The Lost Girl of Astor Street cover is up!!!
Hop on over to YA Books Central to see the first look at the gorgeous The Lost Girl of Astor Street cover! Blink is giving away an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC), so make sure you scroll to the end of that post to enter! There will be chances over the next few months to...
Get the Next Chapter in Your Inbox
Join Stephanie Morrill’s email list for book news, upcoming event details, and occasional notes about the stories behind the stories.