Review: The Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill

Amazon blurb- "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 good-bye. Convinced the police are looking in all the wrong places, eighteen-year-old Piper Sail begins her own investigation to solve the mystery of Lydia’s disappearance. With the reluctant help of a handsome young detective, Piper goes searching for answers in the dark underbelly of 1924 Chicago, determined to find Lydia at any cost. When Piper discovers those answers might stem from the corruption strangling the city—and quite possibly lead back to the doors of her affluent neighborhood—she must decide how deep she’s willing to dig, how much she should reveal, and if she’s willing to risk her life for the truth."

This book has been on my wish list since its release day. Maybe before. I finally decided to add it to my cart a few days ago, and I finished it the same day that I rescued it from the mailbox. When I told my friend that I had ordered it she asked me what it was about. I couldn't tell her. I ordered it because I remembered one of my favorite authors, Roseanna White, raving about it. That was enough for me. And lo and behold, she wasn't exaggerating how awesome the book was. The book is written in first person. That bothers a lot of people. Rarely me. It is also written in present tense, however, and THAT drives me crazy! But this book is so well written that I wasn't even bothered by the present tense. I was too focused on the story to focus on the words, which I think is the point of good writing, yes? I don't think I've ever read a book set in 1920s Chicago before, and now I'm hooked. I can't wait for a sequel. (Assuming... hoping... there is one!) With characters like Piper and Walter, Joyce and Sidekick, Mariano and Emily, there's plenty to keep you invested in the story. The mystery/suspense in this story had chills crawling up and down my back. This is the type of book that you don't want to put down. Ever. With a lawyer dad, a motherly housekeeper, and a sleuthy teen, it seems like we could have a new Nancy Drew on our hands, except for this- Piper is more realistic, her adventures are scarier, and her stories more relatable and less put-down-able than Nancy Drew. (Don't get me wrong, I loved Nancy Drew growing up, but Piper Sail is the Nancy Drew for grown up me!) 5 Stars!