The Tainted Cup: an exceptional fantasy mystery with a classic detective duo (Shadow of the Leviathan, #1)

by Robert Jackson Bennett

A peculiar crime. A brilliant investigator. A mystery of epic proportions.

'Part Sherlock Holmes murder mystery, part Through the Looking-Glass, The Tainted Cup is one of the wildest, most original stories' WESLEY CHU

An eccentric detective and her long-suffering assistant untangle a web of murder, magic and deceit in this sparkling fantasy reimagining of the classic crime novel - from the bestselling author of The Founders Trilogy.

In an opulent mansion at the borders of the Empire, an Imperial officer lies dead - killed when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even here, where contagions abound and the blood of the Leviathans works strange magical changes, it's a death at once terrifying and impossible.

Called in to solve the crime is Ana Dolabra, an investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricity. At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol, an engraver, magically altered to possess a perfect memory.

Soon, the mystery leads to a scheme that threatens the safety of the Empire itself. For Ana, all this makes for a deliciously thorny puzzle - at last, something to truly hold her attention. And Din? He'll just have to hold on for the ride.

READERS LOVE ROBERT JACKSON BENNETT

'This is that rare thing - a book so good that you are bereft when you reach the final page. I loved this and would spend much more time in its world' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Utterly riveting read from beginning to end. Another mind blowing innovative world-build' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I couldn't put this one down and read waaay into the night to discover who did what to whom - and came away with a massive book hangover that had me dreaming of Bennett's world for the rest of the week' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I adored this book! Can't recommend it enough. Murder mystery in a fantasy setting with botanical murder weapons, augmented humans and leviathans threatening to breach city walls! It was such a wonderful, exciting book!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This book destroyed those expectations. This was fantastic' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

AUTHORS LOVE ROBERT JACKSON BENNETT

'Engrossing and fascinating' MUR LAFFERTY

'A masterstroke. I want Bennett to write a dozen of these, and send them to me yesterday' MAX GLADSTONE

'Original, imaginative, and suspenseful' MEG GARDINER

'Riveting' AMAL EL-MOHTAR

'If you love unique, genre-bending, boundary-pushing fantasy as much as I do, look no further than Robert Jackson Bennett' FONDA LEE

• ISBN10: 1399725351
• ISBN13: 9781399725354
• Publish Date: 6 February 2024
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
• Imprint: Hodderscape
• Edition: Inkstone Books Exclusive
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 432
• Language: English
• Special: Numbered Signed Sprayed Edges

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Tainted Cup is a very well written fantasy mystery series starter by Robert Jackson Bennett. Released 6th Feb 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint, it's 432 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out fourth quarter 2024 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is an engagingly constructed classic murder mystery starting with the extremely outré death of an imperial officer. The world building and magical systems are well wrought and believable (in context). 

It's a Holmes and Watson homage in some ways, with an eccentric, abrasive, and super brilliant sleuth, Ana Dolabra, who is assisted by an assistant with perfect memory recall as a sort of Watson character. 

The setup seems like a bit of a everything-including-the-kitchen-sink conglomeration of genres, including a heaping dose of political fantasy, but the author has a prodigious imagination and it really manages to span mystery/fantasy/political structure as a cohesive whole.

Four and a half stars. The language and violence are R-rated, but not used egregiously. It would make an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home reading, or gift giving. A second volume is due out in 1st quarter 2025. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

[Quirky Cat]

Summary:

The Empire has been at war for centuries. Every wet season brings more danger as the contagion finds more footholds. Worse, the Leviathans continue to find ways through the walls and into the cities.

Enter Dinios Kol, aka Din. He's been magically altered to have a perfect memory, making him the ideal assistant for Ana Dolabra. She's a brilliant investigator who is often overstimulated by the world. Together, these two must find the truth behind a series of murders – failure to do so may cost the whole Empire the war.

Review:

Where has this book been my whole life?! No, seriously, I loved every minute of The Tainted Cup. Think the Chronicles of Amicae (by Mirah Bolender) meets Pacific Rim. Only there are more plants. (Side note: if you still need to read the Chronicles of Amicae but loved The Tainted Cup, please read it next).

The Tainted Cup was a fascinating read. It's one part mystery investigation (with strong Sherlock vibes from our brilliant yet quirky Ana Dolabra) and one part fantasy (thanks to the magic and contagion risk, not to mention the Leviathans). In truth, there's still so much to learn about the magical system, politics, and even the monsters, so I'm very excited to get my hands on the next book in this series.

The mystery investigation is satisfying. It's a multi-layered murder mystery with the potential for treason and deep corruption. Throw in a naive protagonist and several unique threats, and it was quite a compelling read.

As for the magical system, it is both complex and straightforward. By complex, I mean there's still so much to learn. Yet it's simple enough to be easily approachable to those who only read a little fantasy. It's the best of both worlds.

Long story short, I loved The Tainted Cup. If I could go back in time and reread it all for the first time, I would do so in a heartbeat. Note to self: Look up everything Robert Jackson Bennett has written. I've been missing out, and I need to remedy this ASAP.

Highlights:
Fantasy with Mystery Elements
Contagions & Plants
Pacific Rim meets the Chronicles of Amicae

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