The Secret Investigator of Astor Street – Piper Sail’s Second Mystery

Last Updated on April 22, 2026

If you’re the kind of reader who loves to sink into a plush armchair with a cup of tea, ready to be whisked away to another era, then let me introduce you to your next favorite read, The Secret Investigator of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill.

This is the long-awaited second entry in the Piper Sail Mystery series, and if anything, it’s probably better than the first – The Lost Girl of Astor Street, which was published in 2017.

For some reason, and one I have no real answer for, there are a lot of historical cozy mysteries being published at the moment.

I guess that we readers are seeking comforting escapes from the anxieties of modern life, and these books offer a safe, nostalgic space where the intrigue of a mystery can be enjoyed more.

I love exploring different historical periods and fresh perspectives, and for me, Stephanie Morrill has another winner on her hands with Piper Sail.

So, let’s chat about what the book is all about and if you should stick it on your TBR (Insta-speak for ‘To Be Read’) list!

Piper Sail

The Secret Investigator of Astor Street is set in 1928, Chicago. The city is a heady mix of jazz, glitz, and the ever-present shadow of organized crime.

Piper Sail is not content to be just another society girl. She’s smart, determined, and a bit of a rule-breaker.

After solving her best friend’s disappearance in the first book, Piper is itching for her next big case.

But in 1920s Chicago, the idea of a young woman becoming a private investigator is about as likely as prohibition actually keeping anyone from drinking.

Still, Piper is undeterred. She’s got grit, she’s got a notebook, and she’s got a knack for stumbling into trouble.

Her life isn’t all champagne and Charleston, though. Piper is still reeling from her best friend’s loss, her father’s remarriage, and the uncertainty of life after high school.

She’s navigating a world that expects her to be demure and compliant, but her heart is set on something far more daring.

The Case That Changes Everything

The story kicks off at a high school presentation ceremony, hardly the place you’d expect to find intrigue, but this is Piper Sail’s world, after all.

There, she’s handed two opportunities: a secretarial job and a far more tantalizing offer of a real investigation.

Louisa Dell approaches Piper, convinced her brother’s recent death wasn’t suicide, as the police claim, but murder. Piper can’t resist the call to action.

Can she prove Clarence Dell was actually murdered? And, if so, who wanted to kill him and why?

From here, the plot unspools with all the twists and turns you’d hope for in a cozy mystery.

Morrill crafts a puzzle that keeps you guessing, with red herrings, clever clues, and enough surprises to keep even the most seasoned armchair detective on their toes.

The Chicago underworld makes an appearance, but it’s more of a shadowy backdrop than a central player, so don’t expect shootouts or mob bosses at every turn.

Instead, the focus remains on Piper’s sleuthing and her struggle to be taken seriously in a man’s world.

Authenticity That Shines

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its sense of 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.

The status quo, the fashion, and the social norms all ring true. You’ll feel the tension between old money and new ambition, the constraints placed on women, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways society tries to keep Piper in her place.

It’s refreshing to see a historical 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.

I particularly appreciated how Morrill acknowledges the obstacles Piper faces. It would have been easy to write her as a proto-feminist superhero, breezing past every barrier, but instead, we see Piper struggle, question herself, and sometimes fail.

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

Mystery With A Little Romance

Of course, what’s a cozy mystery without a bit of romance? Piper’s relationship with Detective Mariano Cassano is moving along nicely.

He’s supportive, charming, and just the right amount of protective while fully acknowledging who Piper is, and more importantly, not wanting to change her.

But wait, there’s more! Enter Jeremiah, her friend’s brother. He’s mysterious, earnest, and clearly smitten.

Will Piper stick with steady Mariano, or could Jeremiah sweep her off her feet? Morrill keeps us guessing, and I, for one, am eager to see how this plays out in future installments.

A Few Quips and Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a book that will have you whispering, “Just one more chapter…” until the wee hours, this is it.

And if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be a detective in 1920s Chicago (minus the risk of getting on the wrong side of the mob), Piper Sail is the perfect guide.

Will Piper and Mariano make it? Or will Jeremiah turn her head? Will Piper finally get the recognition she deserves as a private investigator, or will society keep trying to shove her back into a secretarial chair?

I’m hoping we won’t have to wait another eight years to find out. Stephanie Morrill, if you’re reading this, don’t leave us hanging!

In the meantime, grab yourself a copy, settle in, and let Piper Sail take you on a journey through the glittering, gritty streets of old Chicago.

Whether you’re a seasoned mystery lover or just dipping your toes into the genre, The Secret Investigator of Astor Street is a delightful, engaging read that delivers on every front.