What job did you want to have when you were young?

Written by: Stephanie Morril

Published by: Blink Books

Published on: August 5th 2025

Price: £12.99 hardcover

First line: I gaze up at the Applegates’ imposing brick house and take a bracing breath.

Genre: Detective Mystery, Mobsters, 1920s

Age: 12+

ISBN: 9780310175810

Thanks to Harper Collins for the review copy.

What’s it all about? Piper Sail is back! Having just read the last book in this series, I have a great affinity for Piper and the loss she went through in the previous story of her friend. The first story is all about Piper’s guilty at not stopping her friend leaving her house, before she is kidnapped. Piper is then determined to find her, and has to fight not only her own demons, but also the social structure and etiquette of 1920s American, when American girls were supposed to be calm, sensible girls who learnt how to sew and cook ready for being a wife. It was a time of great social change, for example girls werent allowed/expected to drive cars. We also get introduced to the main characters, from Piper’s family – dad, brothers and Dad’s new girlfriend (mum has died before the story is set), her best friend who is the son of the family’s servant (this is a wealthy family), and Detective Mariano, who Piper slowly falls on love with. The character is great and the setting of 1920s Chicago is once again brought to life by Stephanie Morrill. In this book Piper has a new job working at her old school, but longs to be a detective again. Soon she is brought a new case from a fellow school and starts to investigate in secret, apart from telling her boyfriend Detective Mariano. The new case is very different from the old one, with a man having committed suicide, but his sister doesn’t believe this to be true. Additionally, Piper’s family have moved on from the last story too. A new situation at home leads Piper and her step- mother into new ground. Can Piper work who to trust? Can she find evidence of murder? Will she go to far into danger to discover the truth?

Why should I read it? I’ve read both these books over the last 4 months, so am doing a kinda double review. I’ve been having a bit of a dry spell since the summer for reading due to work etc and these books have really helped pull me back into the reading zone, which I am eternally grateful for. I had little hopes to begin with as I started to read the first book as both give off to me (don’t judge a book by its cover) feminine vibes. However, I’m glad I persevered as these are both great historical detective stories that I thoroughly enjoyed. The story is complex in both the books and has a number of twists and turns. It’s not overly complex, so it makes it a relaxing and enjoyable read. The characters are deep and well- formed, however, I do feel that I didn’t get to know enough about her brothers: perhaps a prequel is in order, but perhaps that would make Piper too young? Piper’s dogged determination is on display throughout both books and is really inspiring. I also like how her relationship between her and her step-mum slowly changes. I do wonder if the ‘Lost Girl’ of the first title isn’t Piper’s best friend, but Piper herself? She is lost within her family, at a loss of how to fit into society and at a loss with her relationships with her friends.