4.75/5

This is my Fast and Furious, give me 15 of these. And they keep getting better by the moment.

On a first note: Din, slut season is open all day for you my boy. You're making some of us jealous.

On a second note: That dedication, the accent on the audiobook and the whole vibe is an homage to Spanish culture and I fucking loved it.

On a third note: The mystery was so much better than the previous one.

My only problem with this book was the villain. They were supposed to be SO MUCH and so impressive, that I didn't feel like they delivered.

But the rest, from the science fiction alien laboratory to the half answers we get surrounding a certain character, was brilliant.

I'm in love with the originality of this author, he keeps reinventing stuff in such an interesting light.

We are back with Din and Dolabra as they arrive in Yarrowtown to discover who killed a treasurer. He disappeared from a locked room with no one coming or going.
They both have their work cut out for them, as this murder spirals into a larger mystery that will put everyone in Yarrowtown in danger. And could impact even more than they could imagine. This world is huge and with every book we learn a bit more about its politics and history and I enjoy every moment.

I love coming back to this duo as they use their enhancements to solve this mystery. And with this book, I'm more intrigued by Ana and hope we get to dive even more into her in the future. This was fun and suspenseful, and I had no idea what was going to happen from one moment to the next. This series has quickly becom a favorite and I hope we get more!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for giving me the chance to read and review this title.

This series has absolutely found a place on my favourites shelf. I was already a huge fan after The Tainted Cup, but A Drop of Corruption just cemented it for me. I’ve always had a soft spot for Sherlock-and-Watson-type duos, and Ana Dolabra and Din Kol might be one of my all-time favourite iterations. Their dynamic is so sharply written—equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and completely unpredictable—and I already know I’ll be recommending this series to anyone who even hints at liking fantasy, mysteries, or murder with a twist.

This instalment sees Ana and Din sent to Yarrowdale to investigate a political murder that takes the form of a classic locked-room mystery—except this being a Robert Jackson Bennett book, it quickly spirals into something far more bizarre and high-stakes than anything as straightforward as “whodunnit.” The setting expands beautifully, introducing new layers to the empire, and I loved how the world feels both enormous in scale and incredibly detailed in its design. The levelling-up of the mystery elements alongside the fantasy world-building is something I really admire about this series—it never leans too heavily in one direction, and it all feels like it just works.

The atmosphere carries over so much of what I enjoyed in the first book, but the new location and increasingly complex political undertones make everything feel fresh again. The leviathan lore continues to be one of the most fascinating parts of the world, and I love how it’s not just window dressing—it’s tightly integrated into both the setting and the heart of the mystery. I honestly can’t wait to learn more about that part of the universe.

And of course, Ana and Din are just brilliant. Ana is as outrageous and sharp as ever (her dinner scenes are equal parts horrifying and hilarious), and Din’s narration brings the emotional weight that balances everything out. He’s such a relatable character—earnest, frustrated, trying to make sense of a world that doesn’t always reward good intentions—and watching his development continue in this book was really satisfying.

I also really appreciated how the story tackled corruption—not just in a surface-level, villains-doing-bad-things way, but as something systemic, complex, and ever-present. There’s a quiet kind of hopefulness in the way Din and Ana work: they know they can’t fix everything, but they still try to stop things from getting worse. It’s such a strong thread in the book, and it stayed with me after I’d turned the last page.

I can’t believe I hadn’t read any of Bennett’s earlier books before this series—that’s something I’ll be fixing soon. But for now, I’m just thrilled that we’ve got at least one more instalment coming. I’ll be there day one.

The Tainted Cup is one of my favorite books of 2024 and I love the genre blend of mystery and fantasy that it is. A Drop of Corruption is the perfect sequel for it. Din and Ana are such a great pair and I had so much fun reading about them again. The world is more clear to me now than before, which should happen once you read a sequel. I got engrossed in the mystery pretty quickly and even though it's very convoluted at times, it’s interesting to see it unfold. If you haven't read The Tainted Cup, you should definitely pick it up and if you like it, you will like this one too. However if The Tainted Cup wasn't for you, then I don't recommend picking up the sequel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc.

Robert Jackson Bennett returns to the fascinatingly strange and dangerous world of his Shadow of the Leviathan series with A Drop of Corruption. This second outing for the delightfully unconventional investigative duo, Ana Dolabra and Din, presents another intricate puzzle – this time involving a disappearance from a seemingly impossible scenario.

What Bennett achieves so well here, I think, is the seamless fusion of meticulous detective work with profoundly imaginative, almost phantasmagorical, world-building. The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, respecting the traditions of the genre while feeling entirely fresh within its unique bio-fantasy setting. The true heart, however, might be the evolving dynamic between the brilliant, eccentric Ana and the steadfast Din, whose interactions provide both sharp wit and surprising warmth.

It's a densely imagined world, yet the narrative moves with impressive momentum. I found it a highly engaging read that trusts its audience to keep pace with both the complex investigation and the wonderfully weird environment. While familiarity with The Tainted Cup adds layers, A Drop of Corruption offers a rewarding experience on its own, cementing Bennett's status as a distinctive voice in modern fantasy. It's a clever, immersive, and satisfyingly executed novel.

“A Drop of Corruption” is a second installment in the “Shadow of the Leviathan” series by Robert Jackson Bennett.
What an incredible next installment in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with this E-ARC to read and review.

4.5 stars

i could (and should tbh since this was an arc) have finished this earlier but i like spending time with din and ana so much i purposefully read it slower. i cant wait for the next already, this is kind of becoming a comfort series for me

i fear i dont have much new to say compared to the first book. i still enjoy roberts writing a lot, the mystery was even more interesting this time and well done like the first. and also like the first, the highlight of the story is din and ana. especially ana. their dynamic is so good!

The first book in this series, The Tainted Cup, was one of my favorite reads of last year and this sequel did not disappoint in the slightest. I loved the way that Din evolved in his confidences since the last book, but also in the way he perceives his role in the Empire and alongside Ana. The mystery had so many twists and turns and there was an urgency that reminded me of some of the original Sherlock Holmes tales. I loved that we were able to spend more time was Ana and the addition of Malo was done very well. I'm already hoping for the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklor, and Robert Jackson Bennett for this free, advance copy.

This series just keeps getting better and better! Gripping, atmospheric, well written characters, stunning plot!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

My bisexual walking disaster boy, Dinios Kol, is back and I am so happy! I just love him so much. He really needs to sleep but will he? No probably not!

Robert Jackson Bennett is definitely one of my favorite fantasy authors so I was just happy to be back in one of his worlds. I love the mix of fantasy and thriller mystery that he writes within this series and A Drop of Corruption was just so much fun. The politics, the worldbuilding, the writing, all of it was amazing and I had the best time.

“You know, you are not a stupid person, Din.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” I said, pleased.
“Or, rather, not an unusually stupid person.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” I said, far less pleased.

The relationship between Din and Ana is just fun. It's so Sherlock and Watson coded. Ana is such a character and I love that you never know what she is going to say or do.

Overall, I just loved this book and I need to get a physical copy for my collection soon!

Loved this!
This series just keeps getting better, and I’m having so much fun reading these! I can’t wait to read the next one!
Highly recommend to anyone who thinks they would love a unique high fantasy murder mystery that almost feels like urban fantasy.

I didn’t know what I was getting into when I picked up the tainted cup, and man, was I in for a ride.

A Drop of Corruption is even wilder, with plot twist after plot twist, starting from the initial mystery’s setup that you think “there is no possible way Jackson Bennett can unravel all this without a hitch”, but dear readers, HE DOES.

We’re back with Ana Dolabra and Dinios Kol, this time in the empire’s outer reaches—Yarrowdale—a place that’s technically not under imperial control (thanks to a treaty that’s juuuuust about to expire). When a treasury officer disappears from a locked room and later turns up in… pieces, things quickly spiral from “weird” to “what in the actual Leviathan is happening here.” Turns out, this is not just a murder. There’s something bigger at play—something set in motion, but someone terrifyingly clever who always seems two steps ahead.

As the conspiracy deepens, so does the worldbuilding. I loved getting more of the political messiness, the creepy offshore Leviathan-harvesting station (a world in and of itself), and the sense that this entire empire is hanging together by threads no one fully understands.

In this book, we meet Malo—a fantastic foil who adds even more contrast to our leads, Ana and Din. Ana continues to be blunt, brilliant, and completely unwilling to play by anyone’s rules but her own. Din’s narration remains sharp and observant. I have loved watching Dun across these books. His partnership with Ana remains one of my favorite aspects of the series—equal parts hilarious, insightful, and heartfelt—which is saying something because this series is not just smart in its plot mechanics (and believe me, it’s so smart), but also in its themes. It’s refreshing to see fantasy that actually interrogates systems of power instead of romanticizing them. There’s a critique of autocracy baked deep into the narrative. Don’t skip the author’s note at the end. You may consider a re-read after reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklor, and Robert Jackson Bennett for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Solid entry to the series with plenty of character backstory and growth. The world has become even more interesting with the addition of Yarrowdale. More cultures! More political intrigue!

Delighted to have learned more about Ana’s personal motivations for doing what she does why she chose Din. Getting to see little peeks at how she has come to be (maybe) the way she is was fantastic as well. Ana was on point with her reveal. Oh Ana, you bizarre and fascinating character, I can’t wait to see what more is revealed in subsequent books.

Overall I was most fond of the first book, but I definitely enjoyed my time spent with this one and intend to pick up the next asap.

Things I Love About 'A Drop of Corruption'

It's a "Marriage of Genres"
The book blends fantasy, locked-room mystery, and political intrigue, a compelling combination for me that elevates the storytelling. In honor of Din’s proclivity, I’ll call this a “thrupple” of genres. This blend is a defining strength of the novel and its author, offering something for everyone while creating a unique narrative experience.

I Hear Ana in My Head
Ana Dolabra’s voice (in my head) is classic. I hear her speaking with the gravelly authority of Dame Judi Dench as M from James Bond: stern, unyielding, and coldly pragmatic. Her seemingly unsentimental nature adds a razor-sharp edge to her character, cementing her as my favorite fictional detective.

The Blood of Titans
The grotesque yet brilliant concept of Titan blood is both fascinating and deeply unsettling. As a doctor, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to pathology; these elements evoke disquieting conditions like teratomas and chimeras, adding a visceral, almost gothic layer to the world-building.

Contemporary Politics and Ethical Parallels
The story’s parallels to modern geopolitics are striking. From black sites reminiscent of a CIA facility to the dilemma of disposing of weapons of mass destruction, the book poses challenging, timely questions. Again, I also saw echoes of a fictional pharmaceutical industry, with its potential to manufacture illness only to sell the cure—forcing us to ask whether the treatment is worse than the disease.

Ana and Din: The Perfect Pair
My favorite insight: If Ana were ChatGPT, then Din would be the ideal prompt. Their dynamic is extraordinary and endlessly entertaining, with Ana’s brilliance complemented by Din’s immutable observational skills. Together, they form a finely tuned problem-solving machine that is engaging and unforgettable.

What I Don’t Love
It’s finished, and now I must wait patiently for Book 3!

A Note of Thanks
I sincerely thank NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an ARC (my first!) and inspiring me to write my debut Goodreads review.

“The dead cannot be restored. Vice and bribery will never be totally banished from the cantons. And the drop of corruption that lies within every society shall always persist.” I love these characters and this world. Din is such a disaster bisexual and Ana is Sherlock but better,

Another knock out book from Bennett! I have been so excited to jump back into this series and I'm not disappointed in the least bit.

A very rad fantasy or almost historical scifi, layered on a Sherlock Holmes and Watson duo but with augmented minds and other things. Ana is Sherlock on juice and Din is a bisexual sword wielding (and handling Badumtss) Watson and both characters are great. It was like reading a classic mystery book layered with fantasy. Can’t wait for the next one if it comes.

This was a fantastic ending to the duology. I really enjoyed following Din and Ana in this Sherlock Holmes style fantasy world. I also very much enjoyed the conclusion and learning more about Ana.

4.5 the tainted cup was one of my favourite books of last year and this was better. I felt more connected to Din and it had a strong sense of place, I felt like I was alongside them trying to solve the mystery. RJB has created such a unique world. I find the augments people undergo really interesting and the down sides that come with it. Malo and Din’s friendship was great and as ever Ana and Din’s interactions are so funny. I enjoyed the genre mix of murder mystery in a fantasy world, which is definitely something I want more of. I have theories as to where he’s going with the levitations, looking forward to reading more.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc

Smart, sharp, and eerily addictive, A Drop of Corruption delivers a perfectly twisted mystery with supernatural flair. Ana and Din shine as a morally complex duo navigating secrets, danger, and dark magic. Bennett’s writing is slick, atmospheric, and impossible to put down. A must-read for fans of clever mysteries with a dark edge.