A lot of great world building in this book—filled with wonderful characters, some of whom have very endearing quirks. While there’s a Holmes-Watson type buddy relationship, the mystery didn’t hold my interest. But, I will continue to read further installments into this series!

Incredible start to what promises to be an amazing trilogy! I really enjoyed this mix of fantasy and mystery. Din and Ana are a compelling duo with personalities that clash in exactly the right way.

The world the story takes place in is eerie and intriguing, the perfect setting for the characters to search for answers to problems that extend far beyond the initial murder that kicks off the story.

I can’t wait to read the sequel!

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book! It’s a little outside my normal genres but it looked intriguing so I gave it a chance. The callbacks to Christie and Conan Doyle were well done. This was entirely original compared to so much that’s been published recently.

The world building is intricate and tight. Perfect for lovers of classic golden age mystery and fantasy.

Set in a richly imagined world, Robert Jackson Bennett's “The Tainted Cup " is a captivating blend of fantasy and mystery featuring an eccentric detective team reminiscent of Holmes and Watson.

Come, reader, come. “The game is afoot,” as Ana Dolabra and her faithful assistant, Dinios Kol, sleuth to unravel a perplexing murder case involving a high Imperial officer, dark magical rituals, and enigmatic esoteric powers.

Bennett’s story is full of complex characters inhabiting The Empire—all with their shady political maneuverings and intrigues.

Much of the mystery occurs in Montverre, where, besides horrendous seasonal monsoons and the occasional threat from gigantic sea monsters, is an enchanting seaside city.

However, The Tainted Cup is not just a fantasy mystery fiction; it also explores several complex themes of human nature: including morality—right vs. wrong; the power and danger of secrets; as well as redemption and atonement.

JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Author Robert Jackson Bennett, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Del Rey for this advanced reader's copy for review.

DNF. The behavior and language were not a fit for me. So disappointed as the plot and writing seemed to really being going in a strong direction.

DNF around the 20% mark.

I have been trying to read this book since around the time I was approved for it (a few months ago), and I have been struggling.

I keep coming back to it in different mediums now that it’s published (tried to give the audiobook a go) and I still for some reason, am unable to be grabbed by this story.

It had a strong hook - the first few chapters with the murder and the mysterious tree/magic was incredibly interesting. But once the investigator left the scene and returned to his boss to recoup is when the story lost me.

I don’t know if it was the boring tone of writing, or the confusing worldbuilding or a mix of both, but I am not grabbed enough to continue.

I wanted to like this one as the concept felt interesting, but it fell flat. Thank you anyways for the approval!

This one took a little while to win me over, but it did win me over in the end. This is like what might happen if Sherlock Holmes were magical instead of merely highly observant, although in her defense, Ana (sorry for any spelling issues, I listened) is also highly observant.

The story is told primarily through the eyes of Din, her assistant, who has a magical gift. Din is an engraver. This means he can memorize and recall things exactly as they are with the assistance of specific smells (so he sniffs a jar of some scented oils(?) memorizes his surroundings, conversations, etc, and then to recall it later he sniffs the same scent, (at least that’s how I think it works).

They also live in this city that apparently gets attacked by sea monsters, Leviathans, during what’s known as wet season. Ana and Din must solve a murder of a rather prominent figure found at an estate of a prominent and well-off family during wet season. Din meanwhile, has some secrets he’s worried about keeping from Ana, who is, as I’ve said, highly observant (in other words, good luck Din).

I’m doing the world building a disservice here. I think that was one of my most favorite parts. The magic system wasn’t too heavy handed but the different abilities people exhibited was really cool. The city and the world felt real and lived in. The world wasn’t too hard to understand and yet did feel different from our own.

The characters are delightfully charming. Ana constantly had me laughing out loud with her bluntness (very Sherlockian in that way). And Din is the sort of character it’s just really easy to root for.

I’ll be honest and say I wasn’t super invested in the overall mystery? I had no hope of solving it on my own, but I enjoyed being taken along for the ride.

The audiobook overall was well done. The narrator does a good job of making the voices distinct.

If there are/were more books to be written in this series I would definitely check them out.

The copy I listened to I did borrow from the library, but I was also granted an egalley from the publisher. Thank you to them and NetGalley.

I have loved every single book by Robert Jackson Bennett’ that I have read and I think I have loved this one the most. It gave me a little bit of Roman vibes which is all the rage right now and something I love in my fantasy.

This was the first book in a series and this book did the perfect job of leaving me feeling satisfied by the ending but still wanting more and excited for the next book!

A fantastic sci fi mystery! It took me a little bit of time to get into the story but once I was, I couldn't put the book down!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an advance copy of this title in exchange for honest feedback.

Too often in fantasy and sci-fi the detective trope is trotted out to mask a lackluster plot, but not here. Totally fantastic!

A Sherlock Holmes-esque mystery set against a world plagued by eldritch horrors and populated by quirky, memorable characters. RJB is my go-to author for unputdownable, unique fantasy and he didn’t disappoint; the magic system, politics, world, and characters captivated me from beginning to end. I had so much fun with this! I genuinely didn’t want to leave the world when I finished this book and I was almost disappointed I picked it up before publication because now I have to wait even longer for the next installment!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such a fun read. I am really loving the world this story takes place in and am dying to learn more about the augmentations the people get and how they work. I really enjoyed the dynamics between Din and Ana as they were hilarious together. I wished there would have been more chapters with them together as they made an amazing team. I hope the next book will provide more information on the leviathans and why they attempt to breach the sea walls and come ashore and that we learn more about the augmentations people undergo.

Robert Jackson Bennet has created such a fascinating world in The Tainted Cup. The one thing I found lacking was that it focused so much on the mystery, for a fantasy book, and kept a lot of the world building and lore in the background. We get bit and pieces of it here and there, but it felt like there was so much more to explore about the Leviathans/Titans and the magic of the land. We also have a sci-fi element of body augmentations which I would love more information on. Life how they learned that practice? They talk about the reason they had to implement the practice, but now how. Obviously these were not what the story itself was all about and therefore not elements that were brought to the foreground as often. Since this is a series, I do hope it expands past the mystery we followed and we get to really explore the world and its history in the upcoming sequels. I think there is much for us and the our main character to learn. I loved Din and Ana, they were so quirky and so different than many main characters you see in a lot of fantasy series. They each have their own very neurodivergent traits and can see where the Sherlock Holmes comp comes from. The main plot, the mystery, was very engaging. I usually pride myself in being able to find the pattern in stories and pick up on the little hints being put down, but Bennet did such a good job at hiding the hints in plan sight that when they were brought back up later everything fit well together. I didn’t feel like it was being jammed together just to make the story work. A lot of book, especially fantasy, that have come out recently have left me feeling unexcited and leaving final judgement until the second book comes out, but I am pleased to say that I was surprised and how much I really did enjoy The Tainted Cup and am looking forward to book 2 and the expansion of this world.

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.

This was an interesting story! The world was immaculate, filled with a magic-type system that mixed bits of science with the classics we know, as well as some new elements. I really enjoyed that aspect. It added a lot to the investigation throughout.

While the characters were fun to follow, and I laughed quite a few times at Ana’s comments, I didn’t feel attached to any of them. They were in quite the dire situation and I wasn’t exactly worried, but did want them to survive. I think I could have used a bit more relationship building and internal thought from them. That being said, they kept my interest with their actions and dialogue.

Back to the world building- incredible. It has the makings of a fantastic epic with the additive of mystery. Very cool concept.

Overall, I enjoyed my read of this book and plan on reading the next in the series to find out more about the Leviathans and hopefully get to know the cast better!

Once again Robert Jackson Bennett has created a very unique world that you can't help but want to explore. You can also tell his love of the mystery novel with how he crafts his characters and plot for this first entry in a new world. Although I say first entry it reads as a standalone thought, but if you are someone who likes to know a world fairly well after a first read you might be disappointed. I personally am not a big mystery reader but found this one fairly engaging, and liked it enough that I will read future entries.

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett is a wild ride through a brilliantly imagined world where fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, and a bit of horror collide. The story follows Din, a rookie investigator with a perfect memory, as he teams up with his eccentric mentor, Ana, to solve a bizarre case—someone’s been killed, and a tree is growing out of their body. As they dig deeper, more strange deaths and eerie contagions come to light, with the looming threat of giant leviathans making things even more intense.

Bennett’s world-building is rich and detailed, full of genetic enhancements and weird naming conventions, which might take a bit to get used to, but it's totally worth the effort. Once you’re in, the story’s fast pace and intriguing characters—especially the sharp and witty Ana—keep you hooked.

If you’re into stories like Sherlock and Watson or enjoy a good mix of mystery, fantasy, and existential danger, this book is for you. Plus, it’s got some deep themes about power and difference that hit close to home. The Tainted Cup is a unique, thought-provoking read that you won’t want to miss. Highly recommended. This was my first book by Bennett (though of course I've always meant to read him) and I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more from him!

Thank you to NetGalley, Robert Jackson Bennett, and Ballanetine | Del Rey for sending me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

One of the standout aspects of the book is that, despite being the first in a series, it works well as a standalone novel. The ending felt complete and satisfying, which is always a plus when starting a new series. The book is quite lengthy, and while it felt a bit drawn-out at times, I think that might have more to do with my own struggle to focus during a minor depressive episode than with any issue inherent to the book itself.

What struck me most was how the book reminded me of Knives Out. It had that same mix of intricate plotting and richly developed characters, each with their own secrets. The magical elements added a unique twist, but the underlying suspense and mystery kept me hooked in a similar way. It was like Knives Out met a fantastical realm, and I loved the fusion of genres.

Overall, The Tainted Cup is a solid read that balances mystery and fantasy effectively. It left me eager to see where the series will go next, but also satisfied with how it wrapped up. I’m looking forward to diving into the next installment, hoping it continues to deliver that thrilling blend of intrigue and magic.

"The Tainted Cup" by Robert Jackson Bennett is an absolute masterpiece, deserving of every one of its five stars. From the very first page, Bennett's masterful storytelling and vivid world-building draw you into a realm brimming with intrigue, mystery, and richly developed characters. The plot twists and turns with impeccable pacing, keeping you on the edge of your seat and eagerly turning pages. Each character is meticulously crafted, their motivations and arcs deeply compelling, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested in their fates. Bennett's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting scenes with such clarity and beauty that you feel transported into the heart of the story. "The Tainted Cup" is a triumph of fantasy literature, a must-read for any fan of the genre, and a testament to Bennett's extraordinary writing.