MS Review – Knights in Manhattan – middle school fiction

Guide to Categories – MS Review – review of books for older elementary-aged and middle school-aged children

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About the Book

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 enroute 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 MS Review

DiBianca, Kay. Knights in Manhattan. NP: Word Star Publishing, 2025. 

The Reen & Joanie Detective Agency Series

The Reen & Joanie Detective Agency Series is a great next step for kids who have enjoyed the Cam Jansen and Encyclopedia Brown series for younger readers. DiBianca weaves a good mystery for middle grade readers in her series. 

In Knights in Manhattan Reen and Joanie are visiting Reen’s great aunt Miriam. On the flight to New York Reen discovers a clue that leads the girls to trying to solve another mystery.

The girls are reminded of Biblical principles throughout the story by their caregivers. They persevere when they are convinced they are right, even when the adults around them doubt them. The girls remain respectful of the adults and do follow the guidance of those who are caring for them. 

Knights in Manhattan would be a great addition to a K-12 Chistian school library. It is appropriate for upper elementary and middle school students. 

I received a complimentary copy of Knights in Manhattan. This is my honest review. 

About the Author – Kay DiBianca

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 DiBianca

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

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

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

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