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
1)What does success as an author look like to you?
My books are mysteries, and each one is a story about a character’s search for truth, even in difficult circumstances. I would feel successful if my books inspired a wide audience to see the importance of searching for truth and the joy in solving problems along the way.
2)Which character did you connect to best in this book?
I identify with the main character, Reen Penterson. Although I was not nearly as smart or as funny as Reen when I was a child, we share some common attributes. We both want to understand the world around us, and we both want to get to the bottom of a mystery.
3)What inspired this book?
Reen and Joanie were introduced as secondary characters in my mystery novel Time After Tyme. The two girls were based on the relationship between me and my best friend from childhood, my cousin Joan. The characters were so popular in Time After Tyme, readers encouraged me to give them their own series.
The setting for Knights in Manhattan was inspired by several trips my husband and I made to Manhattan in 2021.
4)Which author influenced the you most?
There are many, but I’ll choose Hank Phillippi Ryan. I studied her book Truth Be Told when I was writing my first novel, and I learned a lot from the way she constructed that story.
5)What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?
Oh goodness. There are so many verses I love, I don’t think I can pick just one. Here are a few:
“You will seek me and find me when you search for me with your whole heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
“One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25
“Arise, shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
“Today is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
To complete the list, let me add a seventh verse, one that I include in the Acknowledgements page of all my books:
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.” Psalm 28:7
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