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
1 week away from the Lost Girl cover reveal!
In just one week, the cover for The Lost Girl of Astor Street will be revealed. As someone who has often envied historical writers and their covers, I can hardly believe I'm about to have one of my very own! With my kids out of school for the summer, I'm struggling to...
I have a new book coming out!
I've been very quiet on the blog for the last... Oh, wow. It's been a year and a half since I posted here? Good grief. I post weekly at GoTeenWriters.com, but with Connor starting a medical diet last February: me finding out I was pregnant: and Eli Christopher joining...
Will there be a book 3 in the Ellie Sweet series?
I'm so touched by how many readers ask me this question. Usually when I'm asked this, especially if it's on Twitter, I give a short and open-ended, "Not right now." But for those of you who are curious, here's the longer answer: Book two in the Ellie Sweet series, The...
So long, January. Hello, free novella!
Well, I'm not sorry to see this month ending. I love fresh starts in any sense (I even sorta like Mondays - don't tell anyone!) and after a month full of hospital stays, medicine so expensive even the pharmacist is shocked, stitches, and multiple deaths in the family,...
Connor and Epilepsy
“He has epilepsy.” I’ll be honest—since the doctor said those words to me about my three-year-old son, I’ve felt a bit unsteady on my feet. Like when you’ve been on a boat for a long time and step onto the land, but you can’t quite get the feel for the rhythm...
Coming soon!
While I blog regularly at Go Teen Writers, I've been feeling the itch to have a blog of a more personal nature. If you have topics you'd like to see me talk about here, you can contact me and let me know!
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.