At the borders of the empire, contagions are abundant, and leviathans threaten the outer rings. The blood of those same leviathans is a key ingredient in magically transforming people to grant powerful abilities. Dinios “Din” Kol is one of those fortunate enough to have been altered. Due to his extremely enhanced memory skills, he has become an “engraver” and these skills are perfect in his role as a new assistant to Ana Dolabra, perhaps, the greatest living detective. And now that the body of a high-level magistrate has been found, murdered by means of aggressive plants exploding from inside his body, Ana and Din have been assigned the case.

While Ana brings her genius for detective sleuthing, she is also an eccentric who prefers to wear a blindfold most of the time so as to not let her vision interrupt her thinking. Din’s perfect memory is ideal for interrogating suspects and witnesses and is able to “play-back” the facts verbatim if required. Useful in discovering discrepancies, to be sure. The murder mystery is off and running, despite the fact that both Ana and Din have secrets of their own.

Author Robert Jackson Bennett has proven many times before that he is a master at building original fantasy worlds, demonstrating in-depth world-building with all the trappings you’d hope for. This first novel in a new series proves it once again. This is a rich world, with unusual circumstances, cultures, and motivations. The reader is plunged into the middle of it all, but Bennett is adept at providing the knowledge necessary for understanding without resorting to massive info dumps that bog down the plot.

Many reviewers compare the mystery elements of this novel to a Sherlock Holmes/Watson experience, but I think a much better analogy are the works of Rex Stout. Here, Din is the fact finder, the one who goes out and about gathering evidence much like Archie Goodwin. We get most of the story from his perspective. Ana, like Nero Wolf, largely remains behind and waits for the information to come in where she then analyzes, deduces, and brings her genius to bear.

The entire novel moves along swiftly as more deaths occur, and the danger level rises. Din discovers more about himself but his anxiety over his secret threatens to overwhelm him. I loved discovering new abilities in other characters, engineered enhancements like strength, amazing math skills, and another that I shall not divulge for fear of spoilers. There are numerous characters from all walks of life thrown into the mix and like many fantasy novels, the names are not common to our experience and can be tough to keep track of. This is “smart” fantasy to be sure, neither a D&D adventure nor a Hercule Poirot murder mystery. No matter what you call it, it is exceptional, and certainly a fun read. I look forward to the next book in the series, not only for another complex murder mystery but also to learn more of this unique world.

Highly recommended.

Step into a world where mystery meets fantasy, where a brilliant detective and her resourceful assistant navigate a realm of magic, deceit, and murder. Robert Jackson Bennett's "The Tainted Cup" offers a unique twist on the classic crime novel, weaving together eccentric characters, intricate world-building, and a captivating narrative that will keep you enthralled from start to finish. While pacing occasionally falters, the overall concoction brews to a satisfying 4.5-star rating.
Immersed in a dystopian setting, where plants serve as sources of light, clean air, and security, the story introduces Ana Dolabra, a renowned detective known for solving impossible cases without leaving her home. Assigned to investigate a baffling murder, where a high Imperial officer is found dead with a tree emerging from his body, Ana's eccentricities shine as she pairs up with her new assistant, Dinios Kol.
Din, a magically altered engraver with photographic memory, assists Ana in piecing together the puzzle of this seemingly impossible murder. As their partnership unfolds, the narrative delves into their unique dynamics, making the book feel like a delightful blend of Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, and a fresh fantasy world.
Bennett's strength lies in his masterful world-building and character creation. The bizarre murder scene is just the tip of the iceberg in a realm where Leviathan blood and contagions intertwine to produce strange magical effects. Ana's peculiar methods and Din's unassuming presence add layers to their partnership, making their interactions both entertaining and endearing.
The magic system's depth and the intricate plot maintain an air of suspense throughout the novel. Bennett's writing style engages with rich metaphor and evocative descriptions, drawing readers into a world that combines the allure of a classic mystery with the wonder of fantasy.
While occasional pacing issues surface, particularly in the first half, the narrative picks up momentum as Ana and Din delve deeper into the mystery. The revelation of the mastermind behind the murder and the scheme that threatens the Empire culminate in a satisfying climax that leaves readers hungry for more.
"The Tainted Cup" stands out as a testament to Robert Jackson Bennett's storytelling prowess. With a dash of Sherlock Holmes intrigue and a swirl of fantasy magic, this novel captivates with its unique premise and well-crafted characters. Despite minor pacing hiccups, the book earns its 4.5-star rating as a delightful blend of mystery and fantasy. A must-read for those who crave an imaginative twist on the classic crime novel.

Possible Triggers:
Death | Gore

Summary:
This is the first book in the ‘Shadow of the Leviathan’ trilogy.

Characters:
The story is told from Dinios Kol's point of view as he and Ana Dolabra, an investigator, work to solve murders.

Positives:
+ Let’s talk about these characters a little bit. SO freaking interesting. I love the way that the main character telling the story identifies suspects and colleagues with very distinct descriptors. Either pinning them with smells or mannerisms, or the colourful plumage and quirks of birds. As a detail oriented person I found it really refreshing to have a character remember people similar to a way i do - it helped me keep all the characters fresh in mind. I enjoyed the way we got to learn more about Dinios’ past and am excited to learn more about Ana when the series continues.
+ There is something distinctly satisfying about how the book ended. The last few chapters tied the story up amazingly while also leaving ample room and excitement for the next book. I was vibrating from so much hype with the reveal and ensuing shennanigans.
+ The setting was so freaking cool. What must it be like further in towards the capital of the nation? I am hoping that in the subsequent books we get to sample much more of the awesomeness we got to see so far. It’s exciting to see more books set in the jungle in the last few years.

Final Thoughts:
Oh my god, this book was amazing. I flew through it. Every moment was a delight to read, from the interesting new world as well as the eccentricities of the characters themselves. Ana and Dinios have such a fun dynamic relationship together. She is so comfortably eccentric and spikey. This is going to be another one of those partnership/friendships that is talked about along with other fantasy favorites like Locke & Jean. Come for the characters and mystery, stay because whatever you thought it was going to be, will be overshadowed by reality.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for allowing me access to this ARC! This was such a fun adventure. The world and the magic was so interesting. It was witty, clever, and had me truly invested in these characters. Would definitely recommend reading this!

What a beautiful book. This isn’t usually my cup of tea but I enjoyed it.thank you so much Netgalley

This will be the opening novel of the third fantasy series I've read from Bennett and his highly imaginative fantasy world-building and knack for creating well-rounded, colorful characters is on full display here. The story opens with a bizarre and brutal murder involving a deadly type of monstrous plant that an eccentric detective and her newly appointed, magically-altered assistant are called to investigate. What they uncover leads them to a sinister conspiracy that threatens the stability of the very empire they serve. Their kingdom, you see, is annually beset upon by mammoth oceanic leviathans that attempt to break through the massive seawalls protecting their civilization. When one of these barriers is heavily damaged by the murder of a group of engineers, the duo must race to uncover the culprits and unravel a sinister conspiracy that implicates some of the most powerful aristocrats in their nation.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to spending more time exploring the dark secrets of its strange, vegetation-powered empire in future entries. Bennett's vivid imagination and mastery of complex plotting is firing on all cylinders here.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview The Tainted Cop

This book is more fantasy and science fiction but does have a murder mystery.
An odd pairing of detectives are charged with solving a murder.
Characters are interesting and dialog is witty.
Not my genre but if you like Sherlock Holmes this one is for you.
3 stars

Early on, I found myself cringing at the visceral on-page body horror—a gruesome twist that sets the tone for a narrative that is as new and unexpected as anything I’ve ever read. The emergence of spores, echoing a trend in contemporary media like "Tress of the Emerald Sea" and "The Last of Us," adds a layer of chilling fantasy to the story. In “The Tainted Cup,” spores manifest as a contagion, birthing enormous trees within victims and described in truly horrific detail. There is no content warning for this level of unsettling gore and I’m not sure I would have read the book had I know.

I am glad I did.

Bennett's skill in crafting a captivating and deeply complex sci-fi world-is evident on every page, filled with intricate systems of physical and socio-political operations that elicit excitement and curiosity. Admittedly, I initially struggled to fully immerse myself . It wasn't until around the 45% mark that I found myself truly invested and honestly I may have DNF’d had it not been an ARC for review. Once I was able to figure out who and what everyone was, I inhaled this book and was fully drawn in by the mystery.

In this intricate world, every character possesses grafted enhancements that amplifies their capabilities. Din, the Engraver, is gifted with the ability to retain every sight, sound, and some sensations (like, it's engraved on his mind, woof). He's an intriguing protagonist and assistant to Ana, neuro-divergent master investigator clearly written as firecracker lady version of Nero Wolfe. While they set out to solve a murder case, they soon set down a path that unravels the seedy sociopolitical underbelly of a society constantly under threat from leviathan attacks. The Leviathan are also terrifying and maybe also really sad?

Secrets intertwine with mysteries as Din and Ana navigate both the case at hand and their own concealed truths. The journey they undertake is certainly fascinating, offering readers an immersive and intellectually stimulating experience. Unfortunately, the pacing and difficulty getting into the story make me have to knock off a star, but I will absolutely read the sequel. There are plenty of mysteries left unexplored (I can’t wait to learn more about Ana’s past and why do the Leviathan have faces? Is it related to the conzulates who never stop growing or aging?)

"The Tainted Cup" is a testament to Robert Jackson Bennett's storytelling skills, blending unsettling horror, intricate sci-fi, and complex, delightful characters. Some writers can create an amazing world, but Bennet writes as beautifully as he dreams up details. The narrative's grip grows stronger as the story unfolds, culminating in an adventure that leaves a lasting impact. A must-read for those seeking a blend of mystery, sci-fi, horror, class-critique, and imaginative world-building. Oh! And it’s pretty queer too!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey and Robert Jackson Bennett for this incredible ARC. Thank you to Kathleen Quinlan for the pre-approval. I still haven’t read Foundryside and this made me immediately add it to the queue.

Even as someone who loves both the fantasy and mystery genres, I wasn't sure what to expect from a story that sounded like an Agatha Christie plot in an Attack on Titan setting. This was such a fun and unusual murder mystery!

The eccentric and brash investigator, Ana, and her assistant, Din, were easily my favorite part of the book. The Sherlock and Watson dynamic of Ana and Din gave the story some levity in the face of the many, many murders and the looming threat of the leviathans. The mystery was complex and winding, and though I picked up on some elements of the answer long before it was revealed, there were enough pieces in play to keep me totally engaged.

Just as in Foundryside, Robert Jackson Bennett created such a unique and well-realized setting. The leviathans and aggressive contagions of this world are at once terrifying and alien, but people's responses to these threats are enough like our own to keep the setting grounded. Along those lines, I liked the book's exploration of how existential threats allow the worst parts of humanity--greed, injustice, and tyranny--to thrive.

I can only hope that we get more adventures from Ana and Din in the future!

I really enjoyed the writing style of this book, the story was really good and entertaining. I liked the characters as well.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

4.5
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*Received an eArc from Netgalley for an honest review. Thank you!

This book was so fun to read. A sci-fi fantasy murder mystery all in one?! I was sold and the author delivered!

The worldbuilding was excellently written through the main character's viewpoint. As a character with perfect memory, all the minute details he picks up and are explained makes sense for those moments. It never felt like a slog to read through because every description felt apt for the situation.

The relationships between the characters felt organic and I especially loved the writing of the dialogue. The main character and his mentor/partner in crime had really intriguing interactions from the witty banter to their analytic deductions. I was always enticed by the dialogue, whether that meant characters were getting along or they were interrogating one another. There really was never a dull moment and I always wanted to know more.

Another aspect I liked about this book a lot was the disability rep and the way the author draws forth the characters' strengths and their ability to adapt to dire situations when their disability presents itself a challenge. I think this was spectacularly handled and made me admire these characters even more.

My only gripe was the romance didn't feel very developed and I'm inclined to believe what happened was a simple fling. Which is unfortunate because I feel like there was a lot of potential to make it a slow burn, given that the main character is still very formal and poised, so it's hard to see him reciprocate romantic feelings inmediately. If the author had let their romance marinate more, I think I would have given this book a perfect rating because I was honestly ready to invest my life into this pairing.

Overall a very engaging and fantastic read. I loved it and can't wait for a sequel, should one come.

Wow! I really enjoyed reading this fantasy novel. The characters were engaging and the world was amazing.

The best part however, is that in the midst of all that, it is a murder mystery with a creative investigative team. A most unusual lead investigator.

The way everything unraveled was brilliant. I was grabbed immediately with the murder and could barely get myself to stop reading last night. Loved it!!

Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for the invite for an early read.

The Tainted Cup is the perfect fantasy Sherlock Holmes mystery! With multiple layers to the mystery it really kept me guessing. I loved Din, our Watson in this case, as he was the perfect balance of strict and charming when it came to him working the case. And I much prefer Ana's personality than that of the character that inspired her, Sherlock. The world building in this book is giving Pacific Rim/Attack on Titan, with some Nausica Valley of the Wind thrown in there. I'm wondering if we will get into the mystery of the leviathans, and the ancient Khanum. Hopefully this will be a series so I can read more of Ana's and Din's crime solving! Thank you NetGalley and Random House for sending me an ARC.

The Tainted Cup is an absolutely stellar novel. The world-building is wonderful and deep and the world is just alien enough and astonishing in its detail and originality; the characters are fascinating; the plot is superb, and I loved every minute reading this. I'm recommending it to all my friends and followers and am about to read it again myself. Gorgeous and stunning and brilliant.

Thanks to Nety Galley & Mr. Bennett, for this fine book to preview and review!

Just what you'd expect from both the description & this author: a great Mashup of Sherlock Holmes and the Fantasy genre.
Top quality writing, with great storytelling, intricate details, and interesting characters.
This was a fast read for its size and because of the description, was ready for a wild ride of a who-dunnit and I wasn't wrong or disappointed.

Magic, twists and an action packed ride that jumps quickly into the mysterious death.

Highly recommended

A horrifying death of strange circumstances that occurred within the walls of a powerful family’s home kickstarts an investigation that reveals the extent of scheming that impacts the safety of the entire Empire in The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett.
As the assistant assigned to investigator Ana Dolabra, whose eccentric behaviors include rarely leaving her home and frequently donning a blindfold while she takes in information and thinks, the young Din Kol aids her keen deductive efforts by visiting the crime scenes and engraving within his mind memories of the environs and interviews with those connected so that he can recall them for her later. Din’s first scene with a dead body, that of Engineer Blas from whom a tree suddenly erupted, provides him with plenty of information to interest Ana, which she eagerly hears as she quickly begins deducing the broader scope of the case and entanglements. As more Engineers die in the same way as Blas, and compromise the Empire’s safety against impending leviathan attacks, Ana and Din travel and meet with others whose knowledge of the situation surrounding the breached wall provide additional details, which more clearly point toward a more involved scheme; with the case unraveling with greater speed and consequences and secrets get revealed, concerns of power and corruption are soon to be exposed.
In an engrossing tale filled with intrigue in the form of corruption, scheming, and secrets, the world is fascinating and well-presented with characters who were entertaining and distinct. The fantastic elements, which include plants as a kind of magical technology driving the world and the physical alterations possible to enhance particular skills or traits of people were intriguing and provided another method through which to divide the society beyond simply those with money and power and those without. The depiction of Ana’s eccentric behaviors was endearingly humorous, especially in contrast with Din’s mildly puzzled management and acceptance of her more extreme or rapid jumps in thought or impolite interpersonal conduct, which was fondly reminiscent of a Sherlockian dynamic. Wrapping up this portion of the story in a relatively neat manner that addresses the major points that were raised well, there’s plenty left to explore, including a deeper dive into the backstories of Din and Ana that weren't much delved into in this part, and it ends with enough to pique reader interest for what might yet develop within the stage of the broader world of threats and adventures for this duo.
Overall, I’d give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC copy of The Tainted Cup. This was unique from anything I've read recently, and I enjoyed reading this book!

The good:
The Tainted Cup was a unique and enjoyable read, featuring one of the most creative fantasy worlds I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. The quality of Bennett's writing in this novel was excellent, making this an enjoyable and smooth reading experience. I really enjoyed connecting all of the dots throughout the murder mystery, and seeing everything come together at the end of the book.

What the story lacked:
I really enjoyed Ana's eccentric personality and admired Din's loyalty and level-headedness; however, I did not find myself connecting to these characters very well. I enjoyed the world-building that was present and found this fantasy land to be very unique and interesting, but I do think more world-building would have really taken this story to the next level, as there were some parts of the story that had me feeling a little lost and confused.

All-in-all, this was a fun, unique, murder mystery/fantasy read!

4.75 stars!

At first sight, this world was incredibly complicated and I felt a bit lost. I felt much the same way when I started The Founders Trilogy, so I knew I just had to stick with it and roll with the complex world and I would be rewarded with a well-written and fantastic story. (Spoiler alert, I was right!)

You're dropped into a world that feels completely foreign. There's a hierarchy of government roles that you don't understand. There are leviathans, a huge wall, human augmentations, and in the midst of it all I was greatly wishing for some background information. However, as I kept reading, all of the pieces fell into place and I was swept into the mystery of it all.

The story starts out with Din, a recently appointed assistant to a very eccentric investigator (Ana) who rarely leaves her home. Din serves as her eyes and ears at a grisly death scene. He is an engraver, someone who has been augmented to be able to recall every minute detail that they have seen or heard. He uses specific scents to anchor the memories, and he is able to recount an exact representation of the scene- including any conversations he had with suspects. Din is a small town kid, and as he evaluates the murder, he realizes that this goes beyond a run of the mill murder. The victim died by a giant plant sprouting from his chest, and he was found in the home of an infamous corrupt family as a guest. As the investigation continues, they find more officials have been killed in the same manner. Multiple killers, corruption, greed, revenge- and Ana seems to be the only one who can put the pieces together. (With the invaluable help of Din of course.)

As this is occurring, the people of the empire are experiencing wet season. This is the time of year where unbelievably large monsters (leviathans) try to breach the large outer rim wall. As the story progresses, the tension ratchets. The wall is damaged, so Din and Ana have a short amount of time to solve the murder(s) before their town is overrun by leviathans. They find that there are more individuals who have suffered the same fate as their victim and find themselves embroiled in a much larger plot than Din ever planned for.

This was an absolute blast to read. There were mysteries within mysteries. Murders and murderers galore, and underpinning it all a fantastically unique world. RJB has once again crafted a spectacular fantasy that combines multiple genres into a truly thrilling read.

I need some art of Din and Ana ASAP!! I would have loved to be able to see them as I read, but that is the blessing and curse of being able to read a story early.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

Before I begin this review, I want to thank Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for allowing me to access The Tainted Cup before publication. Check out this book on its release date of February 6th, 2024.

Robert Jackson Bennett knew what he was doing when writing this book. There is an intriguing Sherlock Holmes murder mystery mixed in with the threat of an impending attack from sea creatures called the Leviathans. This story is captivating and potentially one of the best books I have ever read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There is a mystery, then a bit of action, and lots of sci-fi and magic. I will say that this book is a lot to take in. I couldn't fully comprehend some things, but something about this book was mesmerizing enough to keep me coming back.

At first, the characters are a bit annoying and boring. But, as the story unravels, they are thrust into a world of unknowns and uncomfortable situations, which really helps give the characters some personality and shine. The main character Din is sort of an underdog. While it is evident that he bears some form of intelligence, Din doesn't see that in himself. As the story goes on, we see Din come more into his own. Ana is quite an anomaly. She seems to fit together any information swiftly and does it in a humorous fashion.

The plot really shines in this book. There are excellent twists and turns as the characters dig deeper and deeper into a murder that uncovers something more significant than they can imagine. There is action, the uncovering of dead bodies, and scattered clues everywhere. It all accumulates and makes for an excellent plot.

In truth, I couldn't fully grasp everything this world had to offer. Some of it was pretty hard to follow. Yet, this book has some of the best worldbuilding I have seen. In this world, there are varying races of people, and among them are those who are modified. These modifications range from being able to have an impeccable memory to being able to see in the dark or even having excellent strength. On top of this, a wall lies between these people and dangerous sea creatures that threaten to break loose every wet season. Tension builds with a growing fear that the people won't make it to see the next wet season.

The writing is compelling and detailed. If you dislike descriptive books, this book may not be for you, but note the writing style fits the story exceptionally well. Some of these details are important to the plot of the story, plus they make a lot of sense considering Din's abilities as an engraver.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book! The plot and worldbuilding are challenging to keep up with, but it is well worth the read if you are into murder mysteries with a splash of magic.