REVIEW City Spies: Mission Manhattan (City Spies #5) by James Ponti

City Spies: Mission Manhattan (City Spies #5) by James Ponti
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: February 6, 2024
Format: Audiobook (Personal Library)
Publisher: Aladdin 

Check out my review of the first book in the series, City Spies!

Check out my review of the second book in the series, Golden Gate!

Check out my review of the fourth book in the series, City of the Dead!

After the ending of the last book, I was super excited to get to read the newest book in James Ponti’s City Spies series, Mission Manhattan. It’s another fast-paced, action-packed book where the diverse group of young spies has another major world mission to complete. Audiobook narrator Lisa Flanagan once again knocked it out of the park with her performance - I have no clue how she does so many voices, but it’s a great listen (and always clear who’s talking). 

Unlike some of the other books in the series, the target of interest in this book is a young climate activist (akin to a Greta Thunberg-type figure). The team succeeds in their initial mission to protect her but realizes there is a much larger and more devious plan going on. This adds a layer of social justice to the book, instead of a stereotypical spy movie plot (like nuclear weapons, or terrorist groups). They travel to multiple locations in Europe and the United States, and it was fun to get to explore New York City through Brooklyn’s eyes (it’s been a little over a year since her induction to the team). 

The characters are always a highlight of the City Spies books, and this book is no exception. Rio is the star of this book, and it was so exciting to see him get his time to shine. As the youngest of the group, he’s struggled to get as many leadership opportunities and step out of his sibling’s shadows. However, he really stepped up to the plate and I appreciated that his talents (charm and sleight of hand) played so heavily into the story. 

Mission Manhattan is a perfect book for readers young and old who enjoy page-turning spy stories. There’s once again a major cliffhanger at the ending of this book, and I can’t wait to see how things play out (especially with the continual Clementine and Umbra sub-plot). I’m really sad that I now have to wait for the next book in the series, but I’m sure it will be well worth it.