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The Tainted Cup (Shadow of the Leviathan)
HUGO AWARD WINNER • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A Holmes and Watson–style detective duo take the stage in this fantasy with a mystery twist, from acclaimed author Robert Jackson Bennett
“Like an endearing fantasy version of Knives Out . . . A great murder mystery is hard to pull off but Bennett structures his perfectly, and the fact that it’s in a fantasy setting only makes it better.”—T. J. Klune, The New York Times
WORLD FANTASY AWARD FINALIST • LOCUS AWARD FINALIST • EDGAR AWARD NOMINEE
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, Elle, BookPage
In Daretana’s greatest mansion, a high imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree erupted from his body. Even here at the Empire’s borders, where contagions abound and the blood of the leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death both terrifying and impossible.
Assigned to investigate is Ana Dolabra, a detective whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities. Rumor has it that she wears a blindfold at all times, and that she can solve impossible cases without even stepping outside the walls of her home.
At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol, magically altered in ways that make him the perfect aide to Ana’s brilliance. Din is at turns scandalized, perplexed, and utterly infuriated by his new superior—but as the case unfolds and he watches Ana’s mind leap from one startling deduction to the next, he must admit that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.
As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect.
By an “endlessly inventive” (Vulture) author with a “wicked sense of humor” (NPR), The Tainted Cup mixes the charms of detective fiction with brilliant world-building to deliver a fiendishly clever mystery that’s at once instantly recognizable and thrillingly new.
“Like an endearing fantasy version of Knives Out . . . A great murder mystery is hard to pull off but Bennett structures his perfectly, and the fact that it’s in a fantasy setting only makes it better.”—T. J. Klune, The New York Times
WORLD FANTASY AWARD FINALIST • LOCUS AWARD FINALIST • EDGAR AWARD NOMINEE
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, Elle, BookPage
In Daretana’s greatest mansion, a high imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree erupted from his body. Even here at the Empire’s borders, where contagions abound and the blood of the leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death both terrifying and impossible.
Assigned to investigate is Ana Dolabra, a detective whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities. Rumor has it that she wears a blindfold at all times, and that she can solve impossible cases without even stepping outside the walls of her home.
At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol, magically altered in ways that make him the perfect aide to Ana’s brilliance. Din is at turns scandalized, perplexed, and utterly infuriated by his new superior—but as the case unfolds and he watches Ana’s mind leap from one startling deduction to the next, he must admit that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.
As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect.
By an “endlessly inventive” (Vulture) author with a “wicked sense of humor” (NPR), The Tainted Cup mixes the charms of detective fiction with brilliant world-building to deliver a fiendishly clever mystery that’s at once instantly recognizable and thrillingly new.
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Readers say *The Tainted Cup* is a fun, intricate blend of fantasy and murder mystery with compelling characters Ana and Din. Many praise its rich, bi...
What a wonderful, creative detective story.
The fantasy world created by Bennett is filled with people who have been able to augment themselves in a variety of ways, e.g. to be expert at memory (engravers), math, strength, spatial situations, etc. They live in a world that is constantly threatened by giant sea creatures, so there are sea walls and engineers to maintain them. The mystery starts when they discover a man killed by having a tree growing out of his body, the result of an intentional poisoning and exposure to dangerous plant spores. He is a high ranking official and has been found dead in the home of a rich patron. What is the connection? What is the motive for killing him?
The fantasy world created by Bennett is filled with people who have been able to augment themselves in a variety of ways, e.g. to be expert at memory (engravers), math, strength, spatial situations, etc. They live in a world that is constantly threatened by giant sea creatures, so there are sea walls and engineers to maintain them. The mystery starts when they discover a man killed by having a tree growing out of his body, the result of an intentional poisoning and exposure to dangerous plant spores. He is a high ranking official and has been found dead in the home of a rich patron. What is the connection? What is the motive for killing him?
Interesting world to read about took some getting used too but I’m glad to have read it, took me out of my comfort zone in the best way.
I received this DRC from NetGalley.
I liked this one. It's a crime mystery with fantasy elements. I think it's hard to find a balance between having obvious resolutions vs. clues being too obscure; I found some of the answers to be too obvious, which made me question why the main character was surprised at some of the revelations, especially when his boss just seemed to know more than everyone else. I think the strong part of the book was its worldbuilding. I would read the next one just to get more answers about what's going on with the leviathans.
I liked this one. It's a crime mystery with fantasy elements. I think it's hard to find a balance between having obvious resolutions vs. clues being too obscure; I found some of the answers to be too obvious, which made me question why the main character was surprised at some of the revelations, especially when his boss just seemed to know more than everyone else. I think the strong part of the book was its worldbuilding. I would read the next one just to get more answers about what's going on with the leviathans.
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