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Jorja Knight #1
Knight Blind
Secrets don’t stay buried forever.
After surviving a brutal attack by a deranged fellow employee, Jorja Knight is eager to start life over as a private investigator. Her first big challenge—shed expectations that things will turn out badly—or fatally. Her second challenge—find Johnnie Gorwitz.
Zosia Gorwitz escaped the horrors of WWII but not the guilt that comes with harboring a family secret. When new information surfaces that a nephew may have also survived, she hires Jorja, who harbors her own family secrets, to track him down. Jorja finds someone who seems to fit the bill, but something’s wrong.
Johnnie Gorwitz’s street buddies claim he’s gone missing, along with other of their pals. They know more but are afraid to talk. When another of their buddies goes missing, and a man known to Johnnie turns up dead, Jorja knows she’s backed into something deeper and deadlier than she ever imagined. Now someone wants her and her street informants dead.
After surviving a brutal attack by a deranged fellow employee, Jorja Knight is eager to start life over as a private investigator. Her first big challenge—shed expectations that things will turn out badly—or fatally. Her second challenge—find Johnnie Gorwitz.
Zosia Gorwitz escaped the horrors of WWII but not the guilt that comes with harboring a family secret. When new information surfaces that a nephew may have also survived, she hires Jorja, who harbors her own family secrets, to track him down. Jorja finds someone who seems to fit the bill, but something’s wrong.
Johnnie Gorwitz’s street buddies claim he’s gone missing, along with other of their pals. They know more but are afraid to talk. When another of their buddies goes missing, and a man known to Johnnie turns up dead, Jorja knows she’s backed into something deeper and deadlier than she ever imagined. Now someone wants her and her street informants dead.
364 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
October 2, 2025
4 stars
Knight Blind marks the beginning of the captivating Jorja Knight Mystery series by Alice Bienia. I found myself diving into the fifth book first, which was an unexpected twist, but now, I’m thrilled to return to the origins of Jorja Knight’s intriguing journey.
Jorja Knight, a former forensic analyst, transitions into the role of a private investigator following a harrowing and tumultuous past that has left its scars. As she strives to piece her life back together, she receives a heartfelt request from a friend, a Holocaust survivor who suddenly goes missing. This compelling case pulls Jorja into a web of mystery and danger, revealing that more is at stake than initially apparent. As she navigates this complex situation, tension builds, and the stakes grow higher, challenging her resilience and analytical skills.
Knight Blind is Alice Bienia’s debut novel, and while it exhibits some flaws—such as a slower pacing and feeling a bit disjointed at times—the narrative still succeeds in drawing the reader in. Bienia’s subsequent works in the series showcase her growth as a writer, mastering pacing and character development more effectively. Nevertheless, Knight Blind remains a rewarding read, and I’m eager to continue my journey through the series, filling in the earlier gaps of Jorja’s adventures.
For those who relish thrilling mysteries filled with intricate plots and engaging characters, the Jorja Knight Mystery series promises to deliver an enthralling experience that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Knight Blind marks the beginning of the captivating Jorja Knight Mystery series by Alice Bienia. I found myself diving into the fifth book first, which was an unexpected twist, but now, I’m thrilled to return to the origins of Jorja Knight’s intriguing journey.
Jorja Knight, a former forensic analyst, transitions into the role of a private investigator following a harrowing and tumultuous past that has left its scars. As she strives to piece her life back together, she receives a heartfelt request from a friend, a Holocaust survivor who suddenly goes missing. This compelling case pulls Jorja into a web of mystery and danger, revealing that more is at stake than initially apparent. As she navigates this complex situation, tension builds, and the stakes grow higher, challenging her resilience and analytical skills.
Knight Blind is Alice Bienia’s debut novel, and while it exhibits some flaws—such as a slower pacing and feeling a bit disjointed at times—the narrative still succeeds in drawing the reader in. Bienia’s subsequent works in the series showcase her growth as a writer, mastering pacing and character development more effectively. Nevertheless, Knight Blind remains a rewarding read, and I’m eager to continue my journey through the series, filling in the earlier gaps of Jorja’s adventures.
For those who relish thrilling mysteries filled with intricate plots and engaging characters, the Jorja Knight Mystery series promises to deliver an enthralling experience that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
January 24, 2022
4 and a half stars rounded down.
I truly enjoyed the book, the pacing and the characters, but it sis seem to fall a little short on tieing up some loose ends when the conclusion came, but that's ok, however hence the downrounding.
The book was fun to read, but I did not feel it dragged me back to its pages once I put it down for the day.
I might check out more books from the same author in the future.
I truly enjoyed the book, the pacing and the characters, but it sis seem to fall a little short on tieing up some loose ends when the conclusion came, but that's ok, however hence the downrounding.
The book was fun to read, but I did not feel it dragged me back to its pages once I put it down for the day.
I might check out more books from the same author in the future.
March 12, 2022
Mysteries with strong female leads seem to be a stable standard of the literature industry by now. I applaud this - in my experience as a reader, a female lead usually means there is a strong emphasis on the mystery part, and that's just what I want to read when the days are short and the nights are long. (Unless I want some high octane action, in which case I seem to prefer a male lead. That probably tells you more about me than about the books I'm reading.)
So we'll start with Jorja Knight, our female lead - this is the first in a proposed series of mysteries about her, so obviously everything stands - and falls - with her as a person.
Yes, Jorja, I think you have a wonderful future as a series main character ahead of you. If you learn to make better choices, that is, otherwise your future looks rather short.
Jorja "Jojo" Knight is working two jobs - private investigator, and first person narrator of the book. Which makes it easier for us to empathize with her (the power of first person), and it also helps in building the mystery - because as we're seeing the world through her eyes, we discover the pieces of the puzzle with her.
And she is a likeable character, well built, with more than a hint of a well defined background story. In other words, she feels like a real person, and that's exactly what I'm looking for in a series character. I'll say the Jorja Knight Mysteries are off to a good and promising start!
All the other characters are seen through her eyes, and they seem authentic enough. Although there are some cliches and stereotypes here, but then again, stereotypes usually work well, and they do it for a reason.
So, what about the mystery then?
As usual, things are starting quite innocent before taking a turn for the worse. Tension builds slowly, which is a successful formula for a mystery. But before we reach that point, we have to suffer through the fact that Jorja is working multiple jobs at once, with only one being of real interest to the mystery.
Yes, I know, a PI will usually struggle with multiple, overlapping jobs and money and all that jazz, so this is kinda authentic. And it gives the author an opportunity to hint at Jojo's past. All is well.
I hit a drag after 10 percent of the book, and it brought my reading speed well down
But it feels kinda incoherent in terms of plot, and it turned quite a large portion of the book - the part after 10 % and before 70 % - into a drag for me. I believe you could shorten the parts about the other jobs to a few sentence without losing anything relevant to the story.
So, the real case. When we start, we don't know how much it will evolve. But there are quite some twists there - the road up ahead is winding and dangerous. But it's also very, very winding and riddled with stuff that adds length to the novel, but no meat to the bones of the case. This saddens me, because it's dragging the novel down a notch or two.
And then we finally get to the part where things start to take a turn for the worse. A case searching for a holocaust survivor turns into a missing persons case turns into a case about disappearing homeless persons (and more). That might sound like a stretch, but it is well constructed and well plotted (between all the other stuff that's happening), and the turn of events have a natural feeling to them.
Jorja has to work hard to put together all the evidence. Or at least to see the real shape of the case she's working on.
It's also the point where I started to question Jojo's work ethic. Oh, she was trying to do everything in a good and orderly fashion, no worries, but there have been several points in the investigation where she did not call her client when she should have, really, and had she shared some of her findings earlier on, a lot of negative stuff later on could have been avoided. Which begs the question: Why didn't she do so? Because the motivation given - that she always wants more facts - doesn't work for me. I think there are several thresholds that, once established, could have been told the client. So it's starting to look like a plot way to increase the dramatic later on, which does work, but rubs me all the wrong way.
I also had the feeling sometimes that she's acting way too stupid for a PI. Minor spoiler, but if I crawl into my rental and are hit by a stench I can't identify, I would at least have taken a look into the trunk before I went to the garage. Especially since said rental has no locked trunk and that space is accessible to everyone passing by. (And by the way, if you happen to hit your abductor in the head with a metal bar - you goddamn finish the job with a second or third blow. Jesus, Jojo, get a grip on reality!)
In the end, it took me way too long to read through this book. That might say something about my state of mind during that time, but it's also testament to the fact this story was not gripping my attention the way other books did. And I think that's in part due to the target underwhelming mystery. Yes, there's more to it, but for the majority of the book, you can only hope there's more to it. Because for a long time, it just looks like "hey, x disposed of y to get y's identity. Reason unknown, but uninteresting". There's simply no hook for the reader to get invested in it, and the other non-case related parts happening make it even harder to be invested by removing the reader ever farther from the mystery. And at some point, the naturalness of turning points starts to stretch the fantasy a bit. Too much coincidences there.
In the end, a very mixed bag. I'd say 2.5, but I'm switching to 3 stars because it's a debut in a series that shows promise. Further installments in this series might improve if Jojo learns to stay focused on the task at hand long enough to not lose the reader in-between all that other stuff happening.
*****
Disclaimer: I’ve received a free Advanced Reader’s Copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
You can also read this review on my Blog.
So we'll start with Jorja Knight, our female lead - this is the first in a proposed series of mysteries about her, so obviously everything stands - and falls - with her as a person.
Yes, Jorja, I think you have a wonderful future as a series main character ahead of you. If you learn to make better choices, that is, otherwise your future looks rather short.
Jorja "Jojo" Knight is working two jobs - private investigator, and first person narrator of the book. Which makes it easier for us to empathize with her (the power of first person), and it also helps in building the mystery - because as we're seeing the world through her eyes, we discover the pieces of the puzzle with her.
And she is a likeable character, well built, with more than a hint of a well defined background story. In other words, she feels like a real person, and that's exactly what I'm looking for in a series character. I'll say the Jorja Knight Mysteries are off to a good and promising start!
They made a great pair. Jeff didn't like to talk, and Shorty never shut up.
One of Jojo's keen observations.
All the other characters are seen through her eyes, and they seem authentic enough. Although there are some cliches and stereotypes here, but then again, stereotypes usually work well, and they do it for a reason.
So, what about the mystery then?
As usual, things are starting quite innocent before taking a turn for the worse. Tension builds slowly, which is a successful formula for a mystery. But before we reach that point, we have to suffer through the fact that Jorja is working multiple jobs at once, with only one being of real interest to the mystery.
Yes, I know, a PI will usually struggle with multiple, overlapping jobs and money and all that jazz, so this is kinda authentic. And it gives the author an opportunity to hint at Jojo's past. All is well.
I hit a drag after 10 percent of the book, and it brought my reading speed well down
But it feels kinda incoherent in terms of plot, and it turned quite a large portion of the book - the part after 10 % and before 70 % - into a drag for me. I believe you could shorten the parts about the other jobs to a few sentence without losing anything relevant to the story.
So, the real case. When we start, we don't know how much it will evolve. But there are quite some twists there - the road up ahead is winding and dangerous. But it's also very, very winding and riddled with stuff that adds length to the novel, but no meat to the bones of the case. This saddens me, because it's dragging the novel down a notch or two.
And then we finally get to the part where things start to take a turn for the worse. A case searching for a holocaust survivor turns into a missing persons case turns into a case about disappearing homeless persons (and more). That might sound like a stretch, but it is well constructed and well plotted (between all the other stuff that's happening), and the turn of events have a natural feeling to them.
Jorja has to work hard to put together all the evidence. Or at least to see the real shape of the case she's working on.
It's also the point where I started to question Jojo's work ethic. Oh, she was trying to do everything in a good and orderly fashion, no worries, but there have been several points in the investigation where she did not call her client when she should have, really, and had she shared some of her findings earlier on, a lot of negative stuff later on could have been avoided. Which begs the question: Why didn't she do so? Because the motivation given - that she always wants more facts - doesn't work for me. I think there are several thresholds that, once established, could have been told the client. So it's starting to look like a plot way to increase the dramatic later on, which does work, but rubs me all the wrong way.
I also had the feeling sometimes that she's acting way too stupid for a PI. Minor spoiler, but if I crawl into my rental and are hit by a stench I can't identify, I would at least have taken a look into the trunk before I went to the garage. Especially since said rental has no locked trunk and that space is accessible to everyone passing by. (And by the way, if you happen to hit your abductor in the head with a metal bar - you goddamn finish the job with a second or third blow. Jesus, Jojo, get a grip on reality!)
In the end, it took me way too long to read through this book. That might say something about my state of mind during that time, but it's also testament to the fact this story was not gripping my attention the way other books did. And I think that's in part due to the target underwhelming mystery. Yes, there's more to it, but for the majority of the book, you can only hope there's more to it. Because for a long time, it just looks like "hey, x disposed of y to get y's identity. Reason unknown, but uninteresting". There's simply no hook for the reader to get invested in it, and the other non-case related parts happening make it even harder to be invested by removing the reader ever farther from the mystery. And at some point, the naturalness of turning points starts to stretch the fantasy a bit. Too much coincidences there.
In the end, a very mixed bag. I'd say 2.5, but I'm switching to 3 stars because it's a debut in a series that shows promise. Further installments in this series might improve if Jojo learns to stay focused on the task at hand long enough to not lose the reader in-between all that other stuff happening.
*****
Disclaimer: I’ve received a free Advanced Reader’s Copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
You can also read this review on my Blog.
March 8, 2026
This was a gently-paced private investigator mystery debut, and although I didn't absolutely love it, it was a very pleasant way to pass a few hours.
Newly-minted private investigator, Jorja Knight, has a fledgling PI business and about $600 dollars to her name when she's approached by a very well-off friend of a friend in her 80s looking to find the family members she lost track of when they fled the horrors of WWII decades ago.
The information provided sets Jorja off on a seemingly simple and straightforward search that, honestly, was mostly completed on Google. But there's much more to the story, and pretty soon, Jorja is hunting for answers that were not on her initial to-do list, and paying for them out of her own dwindling funds. Before long, Jorja is doubting herself, her skills, and whether or not she's finally lost the plot, but she can't seem to stop until she has the answers she needs.
This is Alice Bienia's debut novel and will be kicking off her Jorja Knight series. There is potential for character growth here and did I maybe see the tiniest (and my god I do mean tiniest) hint of a potential future love interest? Honestly, it was so small I could be wrong but if it had been a little more obvious it probably would have been enough to have me decide I'll definitely pick up the next one. As it is, I could probably take it or leave it.
Jorja's characterisation was very muted. I found her smart and intelligent, despite her own doubts at times, but other than that I don't feel as though I truly got to know her very well in this book.
In general, I found the book a little bit too putdownable for me; the pacing too slow, too much driving around not doing much. It took too long for that first hook of the mystery to sink into you, and then the climactic ending could have been SO much bigger and more exciting.
The writing itself was the best thing about the book for me, and what makes me not want to give up on this series entirely quite yet...
I'd recommend this book to mystery fans, fans of PI sleuth tales, cosy mysteries and slow to steady-paced books.
3 Stars ★★★
ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Newly-minted private investigator, Jorja Knight, has a fledgling PI business and about $600 dollars to her name when she's approached by a very well-off friend of a friend in her 80s looking to find the family members she lost track of when they fled the horrors of WWII decades ago.
The information provided sets Jorja off on a seemingly simple and straightforward search that, honestly, was mostly completed on Google. But there's much more to the story, and pretty soon, Jorja is hunting for answers that were not on her initial to-do list, and paying for them out of her own dwindling funds. Before long, Jorja is doubting herself, her skills, and whether or not she's finally lost the plot, but she can't seem to stop until she has the answers she needs.
This is Alice Bienia's debut novel and will be kicking off her Jorja Knight series. There is potential for character growth here and did I maybe see the tiniest (and my god I do mean tiniest) hint of a potential future love interest? Honestly, it was so small I could be wrong but if it had been a little more obvious it probably would have been enough to have me decide I'll definitely pick up the next one. As it is, I could probably take it or leave it.
Jorja's characterisation was very muted. I found her smart and intelligent, despite her own doubts at times, but other than that I don't feel as though I truly got to know her very well in this book.
In general, I found the book a little bit too putdownable for me; the pacing too slow, too much driving around not doing much. It took too long for that first hook of the mystery to sink into you, and then the climactic ending could have been SO much bigger and more exciting.
The writing itself was the best thing about the book for me, and what makes me not want to give up on this series entirely quite yet...
Standing in my Wonder Woman pose I stared into the mirror, unflinching eyes stared steadily back. I got myself into this situation, I’d get myself out. With my mojo somewhat restored, I locked up and strode to the elevator, hardly recognizing the put-together woman in the mirrored elevator doors. I reminded myself success didn’t come in a straight line. Ask any successful person and they’d tell you they suffered many setbacks along the way. The trick is to not let one of those setbacks stop you. Say… like getting killed.
I'd recommend this book to mystery fans, fans of PI sleuth tales, cosy mysteries and slow to steady-paced books.
3 Stars ★★★
ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2020
"Knight Blind" introduces us to the Private Investigator Jorja Knight (there's also a free prequel if you sign up on the Author's website). The story takes place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Here, Jorja has only been working the PI business for a little while, and she's trying to build up her clientele and her reputation after leaving her previous career as a forensic analyst.
She takes a case from a family friend's friend, with the aim of locating the woman's only remaining relative, a nephew she was separated from during WWII in a concentration camp. That's just where the mystery starts. For every answer she finds, several more questions pop up and lead her into increasingly exciting and complex mysteries. Very engaging and entertaining plot with a ton of depth, and the mystery is expertly crafted. I found the cast of characters in this book to be richly rendered and three-dimensional.
The thing about Jorja that makes her unique for me is that she's so realistic and relatable. She's a real person, with real struggles. The fact that she's just starting out in her PI business is a big part of her characterization and it works really well for me because I feel like I'm growing and learning with her throughout the book. She has a strong character arc, and all the lessons she learns she takes forward with her--and there are a lot of lessons to be learned as a new PI.
As a character, she's intelligent and sympathetic, easy to root for, and starts to feel like a friend. No magic powers or super strength, no ninja abilities, just a realistic modern-day woman making an exciting career change and trying to do the right things even when there aren't always simple choices. So many characters I loved in this. And I'm glad it's a series, because it was the kind of book I wanted to last and this way I can stay with the characters longer.
If you love cozy mysteries, soft-boiled PI fiction, and mysteries in general with a female protagonist who is strong but realistic/relatable, you will enjoy this one.
(Side note/full disclosure: I'm totally biased because I helped with this book's production, but I also only give honest reviews and I really loved this book--if you check it out, I hope you'll love it too!)
She takes a case from a family friend's friend, with the aim of locating the woman's only remaining relative, a nephew she was separated from during WWII in a concentration camp. That's just where the mystery starts. For every answer she finds, several more questions pop up and lead her into increasingly exciting and complex mysteries. Very engaging and entertaining plot with a ton of depth, and the mystery is expertly crafted. I found the cast of characters in this book to be richly rendered and three-dimensional.
The thing about Jorja that makes her unique for me is that she's so realistic and relatable. She's a real person, with real struggles. The fact that she's just starting out in her PI business is a big part of her characterization and it works really well for me because I feel like I'm growing and learning with her throughout the book. She has a strong character arc, and all the lessons she learns she takes forward with her--and there are a lot of lessons to be learned as a new PI.
As a character, she's intelligent and sympathetic, easy to root for, and starts to feel like a friend. No magic powers or super strength, no ninja abilities, just a realistic modern-day woman making an exciting career change and trying to do the right things even when there aren't always simple choices. So many characters I loved in this. And I'm glad it's a series, because it was the kind of book I wanted to last and this way I can stay with the characters longer.
If you love cozy mysteries, soft-boiled PI fiction, and mysteries in general with a female protagonist who is strong but realistic/relatable, you will enjoy this one.
(Side note/full disclosure: I'm totally biased because I helped with this book's production, but I also only give honest reviews and I really loved this book--if you check it out, I hope you'll love it too!)
October 18, 2020
A beautifully written, intriguing story of a woman, Jorja, trying to come to terms with her own shattered past while trying to make her new PI business a success. A new case has her helping a woman put together the pieces of a broken family, forcing her to face her own fear of the past. The characters are interesting and tug at the reader's heart. The scenes are filled with tension as Jorja finds her way, encountering unexpected danger and making unlikely friends.
January 8, 2022
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
Jorja is a PI in Calgary, who is employed to find out if an elderly woman's nephew Stan might have emigrated to Canada after WWII. Jorja quickly discovers that he did, but that he is already dead. She also discovers that he left a son, Johnnie, who has had problems with addiction. Jorja looks for him in the homeless shelters in Calgary and her investigations lead her to a man who may or may not be Johnnie.
I thought this was strong on the Calgary setting and also on the depiction of homeless people as individuals with values and loyalties as well as issues and difficulties. I was initially amused by the problematic vehicles Jorja kept renting, but this got old after a while. My main criticism of this book would be that it just went on too long: there were too many homeless men for Jorja to pay for information, too many attempts on her life, too many repetitions of the 'is John Johnnie?' puzzle, too many bodies and ultimately too many loose ends. I didn't particularly warm to Jorja, who came with the customary tragic backstory...
Jorja is a PI in Calgary, who is employed to find out if an elderly woman's nephew Stan might have emigrated to Canada after WWII. Jorja quickly discovers that he did, but that he is already dead. She also discovers that he left a son, Johnnie, who has had problems with addiction. Jorja looks for him in the homeless shelters in Calgary and her investigations lead her to a man who may or may not be Johnnie.
I thought this was strong on the Calgary setting and also on the depiction of homeless people as individuals with values and loyalties as well as issues and difficulties. I was initially amused by the problematic vehicles Jorja kept renting, but this got old after a while. My main criticism of this book would be that it just went on too long: there were too many homeless men for Jorja to pay for information, too many attempts on her life, too many repetitions of the 'is John Johnnie?' puzzle, too many bodies and ultimately too many loose ends. I didn't particularly warm to Jorja, who came with the customary tragic backstory...
October 21, 2020
Alice Biena has created an engaging and relatable protagonist. A female private investigator with smarts and empathy! Knight Blind is an enjoyable read taking us through the streets of Calgary with many twists and turns to keep you turning pages. I am looking forward to reading about Jorja and her next case!
October 18, 2025
3.7 Stars rounded up to 4
Following a tragic incident where she used to work, Jorja Knight now runs her own Private Investigator service. A case falls into her lap, compliments of her best friend's grandmother, one that has her traipsing all across the city, particularly the dark corners of it, in search of a man called Johnnie Gorwitz. But the case isn’t what it seems, and the more Jorja tries to investigate, the more she puts herself at risk.
This was a pretty good mystery thriller, with plenty of twists and turns, and shocking reveals. There was plenty of action, and I thought that the investigative elements of the book were properly grounded in reality, not feeling too far-fetched or out-there, as some mysteries have a tendency to be. Jorja was an interesting main character. I particularly enjoyed the fact that she felt so real. She struggled, she made mistakes, and constantly had the weight of trying to get by and make money pressing down on her, as well as trying to help others. I liked the moments where we got to see the very human side of her, though I think I would have liked to see more development between her and Adan. Of course, this is only the 1st book in a long series, so I'm sure there will be many more moments between them - or at least I hope there will be. All the characters in this book were interesting and diverse. Bienia clearly took a lot of time crafting them and bringing them to life on the page. I do think that the insights we got into Jorja’s backstory could have been more heavily hinted at throughout the book, but it was still really interesting to learn about it and gain insight into perhaps why she does what she does.
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking to sink their teeth into a mystery thriller, with a strong female lead. It won’t disappoint.
Following a tragic incident where she used to work, Jorja Knight now runs her own Private Investigator service. A case falls into her lap, compliments of her best friend's grandmother, one that has her traipsing all across the city, particularly the dark corners of it, in search of a man called Johnnie Gorwitz. But the case isn’t what it seems, and the more Jorja tries to investigate, the more she puts herself at risk.
This was a pretty good mystery thriller, with plenty of twists and turns, and shocking reveals. There was plenty of action, and I thought that the investigative elements of the book were properly grounded in reality, not feeling too far-fetched or out-there, as some mysteries have a tendency to be. Jorja was an interesting main character. I particularly enjoyed the fact that she felt so real. She struggled, she made mistakes, and constantly had the weight of trying to get by and make money pressing down on her, as well as trying to help others. I liked the moments where we got to see the very human side of her, though I think I would have liked to see more development between her and Adan. Of course, this is only the 1st book in a long series, so I'm sure there will be many more moments between them - or at least I hope there will be. All the characters in this book were interesting and diverse. Bienia clearly took a lot of time crafting them and bringing them to life on the page. I do think that the insights we got into Jorja’s backstory could have been more heavily hinted at throughout the book, but it was still really interesting to learn about it and gain insight into perhaps why she does what she does.
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking to sink their teeth into a mystery thriller, with a strong female lead. It won’t disappoint.
October 28, 2025
Jorja Knight is a woman who decided to make a career change, she was working as a forensic lab analyst, but after a mass shooting, she decided to follow her dreams and start up a business as a Private Investigator and one of her first cases is through a friend. A wealthy older woman is looking for her relative, a nephew who she is hoping escaped from persecution, however, Jorja finds instead that he has sadly passed away, but had a son called Jonnie Gorwitz and so she is tasked to find him.
Unfortunately for Jorja, things aren't straightforward and Jonnie turns out to be a homeless, drug addict and so she goes on a search on the streets of the city to find any information she can, but the transient community are not the easiest to track down, it get to talk to someone they don't know. As she digs deeper, Jorja finally finds someone who knows Jonnie, but this is where things turn sour and Jorja finds out that Jonnie is actually holding down a job and seemingly recovering, however, the more Jorja dogs, the more she realises that something isn't right.
Is Jonnie Gorwitz the man she found truly the right person and why are his friends remaining right lipped about him and their lives, what or who are they afraid of and can Jorja find out before the truth finds her? This is a mystery with twists, turns, lies and truths where nobody is talking and everything they don't say speaks volumes in this exciting and fast paced mystery.
Unfortunately for Jorja, things aren't straightforward and Jonnie turns out to be a homeless, drug addict and so she goes on a search on the streets of the city to find any information she can, but the transient community are not the easiest to track down, it get to talk to someone they don't know. As she digs deeper, Jorja finally finds someone who knows Jonnie, but this is where things turn sour and Jorja finds out that Jonnie is actually holding down a job and seemingly recovering, however, the more Jorja dogs, the more she realises that something isn't right.
Is Jonnie Gorwitz the man she found truly the right person and why are his friends remaining right lipped about him and their lives, what or who are they afraid of and can Jorja find out before the truth finds her? This is a mystery with twists, turns, lies and truths where nobody is talking and everything they don't say speaks volumes in this exciting and fast paced mystery.
January 8, 2022
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
Jorja is a PI in Calgary, who is employed to find out if an elderly woman's nephew Stan might have emigrated to Canada after WWII. Jorja quickly discovers that he did, but that he is already dead. She also discovers that he left a son, Johnnie, who has had problems with addiction. Jorja looks for him in the homeless shelters in Calgary and her investigations lead her to a man who may or may not be Johnnie.
I thought this was strong on the Calgary setting and also on the depiction of homeless people as individuals with values and loyalties as well as issues and difficulties. I was initially amused by the problematic vehicles Jorja kept renting, but this got old after a while. My main criticism of this book would be that it just went on too long: there were too many homeless men for Jorja to pay for information, too many attempts on her life, too many repetitions of the 'is John Johnnie?' puzzle, too many bodies and ultimately too many loose ends. I didn't particularly warm to Jorja, who came with the customary tragic backstory...
Jorja is a PI in Calgary, who is employed to find out if an elderly woman's nephew Stan might have emigrated to Canada after WWII. Jorja quickly discovers that he did, but that he is already dead. She also discovers that he left a son, Johnnie, who has had problems with addiction. Jorja looks for him in the homeless shelters in Calgary and her investigations lead her to a man who may or may not be Johnnie.
I thought this was strong on the Calgary setting and also on the depiction of homeless people as individuals with values and loyalties as well as issues and difficulties. I was initially amused by the problematic vehicles Jorja kept renting, but this got old after a while. My main criticism of this book would be that it just went on too long: there were too many homeless men for Jorja to pay for information, too many attempts on her life, too many repetitions of the 'is John Johnnie?' puzzle, too many bodies and ultimately too many loose ends. I didn't particularly warm to Jorja, who came with the customary tragic backstory...
September 15, 2022
I was completely swept up in this story from the start! The characters are all unique and well written with depth and substance and not relying on your typical PI clichés. The main cast of characters are all really easy to root for and to get invested in. The plot itsself is quite unique and is definitely littered with twists and turns to keep you guessing. It's not the most fast paced or action packed but in saying that, it really gets under your skin and will keep you completely engrossed until the mystery is solved! I did expect a bit more action with it being a private eye mystery but i felt it was more of a thriller that alluded to risks and danger rather than having them actually happen. To me this is actually more effective in creating that suspense and mystery and getting under your skin and making you rush through to find the answers! I really enjoyed this one and will definitely be on the lookout for more from this amazing author. Oh and I loved the writing style and the fact that events weren't drawn out, I was actually surprised at how quickly the plot progressed in the opening if the book and it just hurled me through the entire thing and neve let up after that
September 22, 2025
This is the first book in this series for this author and what a great start it was. I enjoyed this author’s creative twists and turns that had me turning pages fast. I also enjoyed how they pulled me into the character’s world with ease and kept me there to the end. This is a story that has a lot going on but I enjoy how the author was able to keep me engaged and I did not get lost. This is a well written story about Jorja. She is a private investigator who has been looking for Johnnie. Johnnie is a drug addict and also her client’s only heir. The problem comes when Johnnie has disappeared. This is where Jorja’s investigation takes a dangerous turn of deadly secrets and the waking of a killer who is determined to stay secret. What happens with Jorja is where you will need to pick up this book to find out. I enjoyed this character and her determination makes her even stronger. I also enjoyed watching the growth of the plot which made it easy to read. I found this book to be fast paced and hard to put down. I enjoyed reading this book and it is one you don’t want to miss. I highly recommend this book.
August 30, 2022
An amazing debut book by Canadian Alice Bienia. If I'd have to give it stars, I'd give it 5 stars as it's her first book, but as we know the PI genre is fiercely competitive so compared with other more established authors it's a very strong 3 stars. I do believe that Alice Bienia can reach the very top in this genre though! She's got the knowledge, writing skills, fantastic flow and the bright mind to pull this off.
I am looking forward to reading her next two books about Jorja Knight (and finding out if it'll be Azagora or Adan who makes a move first...), which I've spotted are available for sale on Amazon.
I marked two passages in this story;
"a cat is a long-term commitment, not like a boyfriend" - I do wonder what prompted this, perhaps that's a story in itself??
"true happiness came from the simple moments in life" - so true, and still we chase for bigger and better, rather than being content with what we have and enjoying life.
Thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to a new author and giving me a chance to read a story set in Canada (rather than the US!).
I am looking forward to reading her next two books about Jorja Knight (and finding out if it'll be Azagora or Adan who makes a move first...), which I've spotted are available for sale on Amazon.
I marked two passages in this story;
"a cat is a long-term commitment, not like a boyfriend" - I do wonder what prompted this, perhaps that's a story in itself??
"true happiness came from the simple moments in life" - so true, and still we chase for bigger and better, rather than being content with what we have and enjoying life.
Thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to a new author and giving me a chance to read a story set in Canada (rather than the US!).
October 23, 2025
This was one of those books that hook you from the very beginning. The writing was phenomenal and the story really caught my attention and kept it from start to finish. This was my first time reading a novel by this author and I can say I was very pleased! I will definitely continue reading books written by her.
The story line follows a Private Investigator named Jorja Knight (what a fun way to spell that!) and her investigation for a potential family member of her client. I can’t dive into it too much without spoilers, but it sure was a doozy. Poor girl seemed to find herself in more trouble than she deserved throughout the whole story. I found myself laughing at certain situations and really feeling compassion in others. It’s hard to make genuine emotions come out when I read, but this novel definitely made it happen. I did have some unanswered questions about a few of the characters in the book, but there are other stories, so I’m hoping those will be answered instead of left alone to continue wondering!
Overall, this is a wonderful book and I definitely recommend. 5/5.
The story line follows a Private Investigator named Jorja Knight (what a fun way to spell that!) and her investigation for a potential family member of her client. I can’t dive into it too much without spoilers, but it sure was a doozy. Poor girl seemed to find herself in more trouble than she deserved throughout the whole story. I found myself laughing at certain situations and really feeling compassion in others. It’s hard to make genuine emotions come out when I read, but this novel definitely made it happen. I did have some unanswered questions about a few of the characters in the book, but there are other stories, so I’m hoping those will be answered instead of left alone to continue wondering!
Overall, this is a wonderful book and I definitely recommend. 5/5.
February 11, 2024
"Knight Blind Jorja" by Alice Bienia introduces readers to a gripping mystery filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations. The story follows Jorja Knight, a fiercely independent private investigator with a unique condition that renders her unable to recognize faces. When Jorja is hired to solve a high-profile murder case, she must rely on her keen intellect and sharp instincts to navigate a web of deceit, danger, and intrigue.
Bienia's writing is fast-paced and suspenseful, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Jorja's investigation. The author deftly crafts a complex and compelling plot, filled with well-developed characters and cleverly woven clues. As Jorja races against time to uncover the truth, readers are drawn into a world of secrets and lies, where nothing is as it seems. "Knight Blind Jorja" is a captivating mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end, marking the beginning of an exciting new series in the genre.
Bienia's writing is fast-paced and suspenseful, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Jorja's investigation. The author deftly crafts a complex and compelling plot, filled with well-developed characters and cleverly woven clues. As Jorja races against time to uncover the truth, readers are drawn into a world of secrets and lies, where nothing is as it seems. "Knight Blind Jorja" is a captivating mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end, marking the beginning of an exciting new series in the genre.
September 29, 2025
This is the first book in the Knight detective series. It follows the main character Jorja who is a former lab tech turned private detective. She recently took on a job finding a lost relatives of Zosia Gorwitz . She wants her to find her brother a holocaust survivor. Unfortunately while searching for the missing family member she discovers Zosia only living relative is a nephew. Now there are a bunch of family secrets, missing informants and and Jorja finds herself in more trouble than she knows how to get out of. When she thinks she finds the nephew she discovers someone has stolen his identity.and nobody wants to talk or seems to be scared to talk. The ones who do disappear.
The book has so many twist and turns that keeps you wanting more. The main character is very relatable and makes you sympathetic to all that is happening . You will not be disappointed and you will find yourself engulfed in this book you will forget about your own chores.
The book has so many twist and turns that keeps you wanting more. The main character is very relatable and makes you sympathetic to all that is happening . You will not be disappointed and you will find yourself engulfed in this book you will forget about your own chores.
September 30, 2025
This book definitely played out like a movie in my head. My favorite part is that I have many more books in the series to investigate!
Jorja wanted to escape the place that haunted her- after she was injured and went through the trauma of a workplace shooting at the forensic lab where she worked, she became a private investigator. One of her friends sent a missing person case her way, but it is not what Jorja thought it would be. Instead of a present day missing person, she is looking for the nephew of a holocaust survivor. The last time that Zosia saw her nephew, Stanislav was in Poland in 1939. While Jorja does not have a time machine to aid her search for Stanislav, she has the next best thing- intuition and the internet. What started out as a simple missing person case gets more intense as more people in the present day begin to disappear. Will Jorja find the answers and people she is searching for? Find out by reading, Knight Blind!
Jorja wanted to escape the place that haunted her- after she was injured and went through the trauma of a workplace shooting at the forensic lab where she worked, she became a private investigator. One of her friends sent a missing person case her way, but it is not what Jorja thought it would be. Instead of a present day missing person, she is looking for the nephew of a holocaust survivor. The last time that Zosia saw her nephew, Stanislav was in Poland in 1939. While Jorja does not have a time machine to aid her search for Stanislav, she has the next best thing- intuition and the internet. What started out as a simple missing person case gets more intense as more people in the present day begin to disappear. Will Jorja find the answers and people she is searching for? Find out by reading, Knight Blind!
October 10, 2025
Knight Blind (Jorjia Knight Series #1) by Alice Bienia
5 out of 5 stars
This is the first book I've read by the author. This is book one of the series and I've got to say I'm hooked. The way the author draws you in is amazing. From the first to the last chapter I was amazed. Jorjia Knight will definitely be a series I recommend.
Jorjia Knight, once a forensic specialist, is now a PI (Private Investigator). The case she gets is an interesting one. Before having all the information she informs her client that she may have found her nephew she's looking for. Sitting at the bar with an old friend she notices a guy at the bar so her friend goes to talk to him. When he gets back she says : “Seriously? You’re saying he’s an undercover cop because he couldn’t wait to get to the bar to order a drink, he wears loose shirts and carries a cheap phone? That describes most of the people in here. So, what did you two talk about?”
5 out of 5 stars
This is the first book I've read by the author. This is book one of the series and I've got to say I'm hooked. The way the author draws you in is amazing. From the first to the last chapter I was amazed. Jorjia Knight will definitely be a series I recommend.
Jorjia Knight, once a forensic specialist, is now a PI (Private Investigator). The case she gets is an interesting one. Before having all the information she informs her client that she may have found her nephew she's looking for. Sitting at the bar with an old friend she notices a guy at the bar so her friend goes to talk to him. When he gets back she says : “Seriously? You’re saying he’s an undercover cop because he couldn’t wait to get to the bar to order a drink, he wears loose shirts and carries a cheap phone? That describes most of the people in here. So, what did you two talk about?”
October 24, 2025
Having read other books in the series I was both excited and grateful to read where it all began ….
Jorja was a forensic lab analyst but after a brush with death after a mass shooting she decides to try her hand at being a PI and I can’t say I blame her for wanting a change of scenery but a poo at if he felt she was jumping from the pit to the frying Ian but having read other books it worked out for her and that’s why you should always at a et the beginning 🤪irregardless this was a great read !
Jorga’s main informant disappears and everyone is pretty tight lipped as to his were abouts , things are sketchy and Jorga isn’t one to give up easily and in her search for the truth she opens Pandora’s box and the killer will go to any lengths required protect his secrets and poor Jorga gets abducted 😲she finds herself in quite the predicament🙈😲
A read that had my heart racing and breaking at the same time 🤷♀️🙈unexpected twists and turns , prepare for me than you expect 😉
Jorja was a forensic lab analyst but after a brush with death after a mass shooting she decides to try her hand at being a PI and I can’t say I blame her for wanting a change of scenery but a poo at if he felt she was jumping from the pit to the frying Ian but having read other books it worked out for her and that’s why you should always at a et the beginning 🤪irregardless this was a great read !
Jorga’s main informant disappears and everyone is pretty tight lipped as to his were abouts , things are sketchy and Jorga isn’t one to give up easily and in her search for the truth she opens Pandora’s box and the killer will go to any lengths required protect his secrets and poor Jorga gets abducted 😲she finds herself in quite the predicament🙈😲
A read that had my heart racing and breaking at the same time 🤷♀️🙈unexpected twists and turns , prepare for me than you expect 😉
October 28, 2025
This book had me absolutely hooked right from page one. It is one of those thrillers that grabs you with its premise and keeps tightening its grip until the very end. Jorja is such a fierce, determined main character that you can’t help but root for her. After surviving a workplace shooting, she’s trying to rebuild her life as a private investigator, but her first big case turns out to be way more dangerous than she expected. The pacing is tight, but what really stands out is the emotional depth behind all the suspense. I loved how gritty and emotional it felt without ever being over-the-top. Jorja’s instincts, her courage, even her mistakes all made her feel real. There are plenty of surprises, and the ending totally delivered. It’s a great choice for readers who enjoy mysteries with strong characters, tangled motives, and twists that genuinely land. Definitely one worth talking about after you finish.
October 28, 2025
“Knight Blind” is the first of the Jorja Knight series, and it’s definitely got me wanting to read more. The storytelling is captivating, leaving little hints and tidbits along the way, drawing the reader into the mystery. It gave a dive into Jorja’s psyche, revealing a lot about her past (including a traumatic event at her last job).
As a narrator, Jorja is as reliable as any other first-person narrators. That is, they make mistakes. But with Jorja, you want to cheer her on and root for her the entire way. Even when those mistakes take her in a completely different direction. The characters with whom she interacts felt authentic, even the ones who fell into stereotypes, which is one thing I look for in a book. Secondary characters should still be well-developed, and Alice Bienia did a good job doing just that.
I rather enjoyed the twists and turns that this book took me through, and I’m definitely looking forward to more of the Jorja Knight series.
As a narrator, Jorja is as reliable as any other first-person narrators. That is, they make mistakes. But with Jorja, you want to cheer her on and root for her the entire way. Even when those mistakes take her in a completely different direction. The characters with whom she interacts felt authentic, even the ones who fell into stereotypes, which is one thing I look for in a book. Secondary characters should still be well-developed, and Alice Bienia did a good job doing just that.
I rather enjoyed the twists and turns that this book took me through, and I’m definitely looking forward to more of the Jorja Knight series.
April 14, 2022
This is the first time I have heard of this author, but I rather enjoyed her.
Knight Blind is book #1 in a 3 book series of Jorja Knight Mystery.
I enjoyed this book. It did start off a little slow, but once you got into the story you could not put it down. Jorja starts off looking to start her life over. She sets off to find Johnnie Gorwitz. Things takes a turn when she meets his aunt Zosia. This starts a whole new thing as now not only is she looking for Johnnie, but she is now hired to find the nephew as well.
I love the twist and turns. Once you thought things would go one way, it quickly turned and went the other.
I am looking forward to reading the other two books in this series which is Knight Trials and Three Dog Knight. If you like Murder Mystery, I highly suggest this book!
Knight Blind is book #1 in a 3 book series of Jorja Knight Mystery.
I enjoyed this book. It did start off a little slow, but once you got into the story you could not put it down. Jorja starts off looking to start her life over. She sets off to find Johnnie Gorwitz. Things takes a turn when she meets his aunt Zosia. This starts a whole new thing as now not only is she looking for Johnnie, but she is now hired to find the nephew as well.
I love the twist and turns. Once you thought things would go one way, it quickly turned and went the other.
I am looking forward to reading the other two books in this series which is Knight Trials and Three Dog Knight. If you like Murder Mystery, I highly suggest this book!
October 1, 2025
4 Stars
Knight Blind is the first book in the Jorja Knight Mystery series by Alice Bienia. Having started this series a little backwards, I have worked my way back to see where things started. We join Jorja Knight as she takes on her first big challenge/s – leading us into a great crime &investigation story full of mystery, a missing persons case, high stakes, secrets, drama, danger, and more.
A great start to the series that I recommend reading in conjunction with the other (seven) books as not only do they contain their own (standalone) intriguing mysteries for Jorja to solve, but they also provide more character information, background stories, and other interesting details which will definitely enhance your appreciation of the series as a whole.
Looking forward to more!
Happy Reading…
Knight Blind is the first book in the Jorja Knight Mystery series by Alice Bienia. Having started this series a little backwards, I have worked my way back to see where things started. We join Jorja Knight as she takes on her first big challenge/s – leading us into a great crime &investigation story full of mystery, a missing persons case, high stakes, secrets, drama, danger, and more.
A great start to the series that I recommend reading in conjunction with the other (seven) books as not only do they contain their own (standalone) intriguing mysteries for Jorja to solve, but they also provide more character information, background stories, and other interesting details which will definitely enhance your appreciation of the series as a whole.
Looking forward to more!
Happy Reading…
October 15, 2025
Knight Blind by Alice Bienia
5 Star Review
In this book we meet Jorji, a free spirited private investigator. She takes on what she thinks is going to be an easy missing persons case from over fifty years ago. The elderly client is a holocaust survivor and is looking for any of her family that may have also survived. The client is determined to find her family and help them if she is able. This leads her PI friend on a journey to find not one man that might have been her nephew, but two. Jorji finds some information that is not only inaccurate, it takes this easy case to a twisted tale of threats and life and death.
Alice Bienia is a wonderful storyteller and helped me to fall into the pages of this story. It is a fast and easy read. The history aspect of the Holocaust is a unique twist to the plot line.
5 Star Review
In this book we meet Jorji, a free spirited private investigator. She takes on what she thinks is going to be an easy missing persons case from over fifty years ago. The elderly client is a holocaust survivor and is looking for any of her family that may have also survived. The client is determined to find her family and help them if she is able. This leads her PI friend on a journey to find not one man that might have been her nephew, but two. Jorji finds some information that is not only inaccurate, it takes this easy case to a twisted tale of threats and life and death.
Alice Bienia is a wonderful storyteller and helped me to fall into the pages of this story. It is a fast and easy read. The history aspect of the Holocaust is a unique twist to the plot line.
October 15, 2025
I was hooked from page one by this mystery thriller novel. Having survived a mass shooting at her workplace, forensic lab analyst Jorja Knight gives up her job to become a private investigator. Her first case is searching for the heir of her aging client’s millions, a hapless drug addict Johnnie Gorwitz. Jorja soon discovers that he is missing and that his street friends are afraid to talk. When Special Crimes orders her to stop investigating she knows it’s more than just a missing person case. Unknown to Jorja she has caught the attention of a killer keen to keep both his identity and motives secret. I love Jorja as a main character as she’s realistic and relatable. The action packed and fast paced storyline kept me gripped, and the plot twists kept me guessing. I look forward to the next book in this exciting new series.
October 28, 2025
This is the first book of the Jorja Knight series and it will pull you in. She starts her journey as a private investigator after surviving a mass shooting at her former work place. I feel that being a former lab analyst gives her a certain perspective and helps her to see things that others may not see. Jorja has a client that survived WWII and wants to find her last living relative. The case of Johnnie Gorwitz is not your typical missing person case. There are plenty of family secrets that have been buried for years and at least one person, maybe more, don't want them unearthed. I have been all over with this series and have read at least three others. I didn't read them in any kind of order but I don't feel like I missed anything. Just be prepared to let things go by the wayside for a few hours while you devour this mystery and solve the crime.
August 30, 2023
Jorja (Jojo) Knight is a private investigator in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She takes a case of searching for the nephew of an elderly holocaust survivor. Jojo is hired by Zosia Gorwitz to search for her nephew Stanislav Gorwitz when she last saw him in Poland in 1939. Zosia believes her nephew is in Vancouver and Jojo discovers Stanislav had died in a shooting he has a son. When Jojo tracks down Johnnie, Stan’s son she finds he is someone who stole Johnnie’s identity. When Jojo tries to get a rental car from Jumpin Jalopies she finds the cars are in bad condition. There are some twists and turns in this story. I really enjoyed this extraordinary crime thriller mystery novel. I received this free e-book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
September 25, 2025
Knight Blind by Alice Bienia is the first book in the Jorja Knight Mystery Series. In this introduction to the character, we meet Jorja, a former lab analyst turned PI. The story follows her along the twisted and winding road to unearth the family secrets she discovers in her search for a client's missing family member. This book discusses the topic of the Holocaust through the voice of a survivor.
This book had so many unexpected twists and turns, it left me unwilling to put it down!! This is the kind of story that leads to rough mornings after staying up too late reading to see what happens next. The characters are dynamic, the plot is thrilling, the ending is a surprise! It's not often that you find a well written book that has excitement, humor, drama, and a lot of heart!
This book had so many unexpected twists and turns, it left me unwilling to put it down!! This is the kind of story that leads to rough mornings after staying up too late reading to see what happens next. The characters are dynamic, the plot is thrilling, the ending is a surprise! It's not often that you find a well written book that has excitement, humor, drama, and a lot of heart!
October 5, 2025
Having followed Jorja Knight’s journey from the start, Knight Blind by Alicia Biena hit especially hard for me. I’ve always admired Jorja’s strength, but seeing her push forward after surviving a mass shooting made me respect her even more. This story pulled me in from the first page—the search for Johnnie Gorwitz feels urgent and raw, and I found myself holding my breath more than once. I loved how Biena balanced the gritty detective work with Jorja’s emotional healing and self-doubt; it made her feel so real. The twists kept me guessing right up until the end, and the final reveal genuinely surprised me. Knight Blind reminded me why I keep coming back to this series—it’s not just about the mystery, but the courage it takes to face what’s buried deepest.
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