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!
About the Author
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.Interview with the Author
- Do you read books in this genre? If so, who do you like to read?
Even though Knights in Manhattan is a middle grade book, it’s a mystery, and I love mysteries. My favorite authors are Agatha Christie, Wilkie Collins, Dorothy Savyers, Josephine Tey, John D. MacDonald, Raymond Chandler, and Tana French. Middle grade authors I like are E. L. Konigsburg, Ellen Raskin, Chris Grabenstein, and Dan Gemeinhart
- If a reader were to ask you what author you are like, what would you answer?
I’m probably closest to the mystery authors in the golden age of the mid-20th century. My books are clean mysteries with clues and red herrings that challenge the reader to solve the mystery. Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers wrote those types of mysteries.
- What is your favorite book and why?
No contest – the Bible. It has every kind of literature, from poetry to narrative, and it holds the ultimate truth of life.
- What is your favorite hymn and why?
There are so many! But I’ll go with Great is Thy Faithfulness. It’s not only a wonderful hymn, but the story of behind the writing of the hymn is poignant and illustrates the message of God’s faithfulness perfectly.
- What inspired you to write this book?
The two main characters, Reen and Joanie, were first introduced as secondary characters in my mystery novel Time After Tyme. They were so popular, readers encouraged me to give them their own series, so I did!
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