About the Book Knights in Manhattan

Book: Knights in Manhattan: A Reen & Joanie Detective Agency Mystery

Author: Kay DiBianca

Genre: Middle Grade Mystery

Release Date: September 2025

When spunky ten-year-old Reen and her shy nine-year-old cousin Joanie visit Reen’s Great-aunt Miriam Ritchie in Manhattan, they land right in the middle of a new mystery. Following a clue Reen discovered on the airplane en route to New York, Reen and Joanie track the Central Park Jewel Thieves through some of New York’s most famous landmarks.

They even manage to keep the ever-vigilant Mrs Toussaint in the dark about their investigation.

But the thieves are smart and communicate only in code.

Can Reen and Joanie decode the clues and identify the plans for the next robbery? But even if they do, can they convince the police that they’ve solved a mystery that New York’s finest couldn’t crack? Everything seems to be going wrong until a strange turn of events puts the girls right in the middle of the final heist.

Hamsters, a dumbwaiter, and a seven-year-old genius named Miles all contribute to this funny, action-packed romp through the streets and buildings of Manhattan.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts on Knights in Manhattan

Knights in Manhattan is a wonderful book for middle school students that you are not going to want to miss! The whole series is amazing!  I mean, I’m well past middle school age, and I enjoyed reading this one!  We also used it as a read-aloud in our homeschool.  All of my children loved listening to it.  The toddler, at not quite two, did not sit through the reading, but he did interact over some of the paragraphs, so I know he was listening.  

 I would say, in my opinion, that the ideal age for reading this on their own would be somewhere from 9-14.  Now, that said, they can read it earlier if they’re a fluent reader, and they can definitely read it at an older age.  As I said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book myself. 

The characters are great.  They’re fun, they’re quirky, they’re relatable, and they’re just so cute, plus amazing at solving mysteries!  The plot moves along quickly.  It’s well laid out and keeps you needing to read to find out what is going to happen. 

Highly recommend.  All the stars given.  Will read again.  And we cannot wait to read more books within this series (hint, hint to the author).  I will say that I have loved her for adult novels as well, and had to giggle when I realised that I’d met these cute little girls before!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

About the Author of Knights in Manhattan

Kay DiBianca is a former software developer and IT manager who retired to a life of mystery. She’s the award-winning author of six mystery novels. Her books have been honored with numerous awards including an Illumination Award, Eric Hoffer Awards, a Reader Views Award, a Readers’ Favorite Award, and a Memphis Libraries Richard Wright Literary Award.

An avid runner, Kay can often be found at a local track, on her treadmill, or at a park near her home. Kay and her husband, Frank, live, run, and write in Memphis, TN.

More from Kay

My third mystery novel, Time After Tyme, featured two young secondary characters, Reen and Joanie, who were so popular, I was encouraged to give them their own series. I had been thinking of doing a middle-grade novel for a while, so I began to put together thoughts for a Reen & Joanie Detective Agency series.

At about that same time, my husband and I made several trips to Manhattan for health reasons. (Everything is fine now.) During those trips, we used our spare time to explore the museums and famous places in the city, and that became the setting for Knights in Manhattan.

While writing the book, I had great fun seeing the city through the eyes of the two youngsters as they chased criminals in and around some of New York’s most famous landmarks. This is the second book in the Reen & Joanie Detective Agency series, and I’m excited to see where the girls will travel in the upcoming books.

Blog Stops for Knights in Manhattan

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 9

Simple Harvest Reads, October 10 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 11

Artistic Nobody, October 12 (Author Interview)

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 13

Guild Master, October 14 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, October 15

Fiction Book Lover, October 16 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, October 17

Books Less Travelled, October 18 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 19

For the Love of Literature, October 20 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, October 20

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 21 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, October 22 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, October 22

Giveaway for Knights in Manhattan

To celebrate her tour, Kay is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of both books in the Reen & Joanie Detective Agency series!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway!

Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d27c/knights-in-manhattan-celebration-tour-giveaway