***Appreciation to Del Rey and NetGalley for an ARC of A Drop of Corruption. All opinions shared are exclusively my own.***

In a seaside outer kingdom on the cusp of being absorbed into an aging empire, Iudux investigators Ana and Din are sent to investigate a disappearance and presumed murder of a Treasury official. Everything, however, that is seen cannot be trusted, and Ana and Din must match wits and brawn with a formidable, malleable adversary. This second book of the Shadow of the Leviathan series continues the rich fantasy world of explored in the first, The Tainted Cup. In A Drop of Corruption, Ana and Din immerse themselves in political machinations and contradictions of murder, conspiracy, and intrigue in the courtiers and bureaucrats fighting for position and power.

As an avid mystery reader who gravitates towards investigative and police procedural frameworks, I found this an excellent foray into the micro genre of fantasy-mystery. The writing is rich and descriptive, but the world building was effectively integrated into the story. Readers who enjoy detective duos will enjoy sinking into this literary experience with a highly satisfactory story arc.

It is also worth mentioning that Bennett also deftly handles critical commentary on older empires, their complacent citizens, and their support for the perpetuation of autocratic regimes on their fringes. What is the appropriate role of the citizens, and what does justice look like or mean? What do empires owe others? What, specifically, in the decline of Pax Americana, does the US owe the rest of the world? What role should we play, and who among us are guilty of perpetuating and supporting atrocities? For those who like to ponder these questions, the text provides rich fodder for conversations. For those who may not gravitate towards such philosophical questions, Bennet wields a light touch, and the story is highly enjoyable without plumbing such depths or acknowledging such comparisons.

Folks, all I have to say about this book (and the Shadow of the Leviathan series in general) is: spectacular, give me 14 of them right now! I love finding a new series to obsess over and was THRILLED to receive a e-ARC of A Drop of Corruption after absolutely loving The Tainted Cup last year. I read it in about 3 days because I literally couldn’t put it down. Once again we have a complex, intricate mystery with excellent character development and brilliant world-building. Author Robert Jackson Bennett has a beautiful way with words and a talent for revealing enough lore to keep you satisfied while also hinting at greater secrets that lie below the surface, waiting to be discovered in later books. Seriously, I am so ready for a whole lot more of Din and Ana solving mysteries in distant, feral cantons of the vast and unknowable empire of Khanum!

Ana and Din are called to Yarrowdale to investigate the gruesome death of Immunis Mineti Sujedo, a high official in the Treasury.... where his body has, in fact, gone missing. This leads their investigation along strange and complicated paths as they seek killer, motive, and method and unravel bureaucratic intrigue.

On the one hand, it's the second book in a fantasy series, so it relies on worldbuilding established in the first book. On the other hand, the mystery in this book has a self-contained mystery and plot, and because it occurs in a different part of the empire, the primary venue of the plot has all new worldbuilding as well.

One thing I enjoyed, especially in a book of this length, is the depth of character development: Dinios Kol is grappling with the death and destruction he saw in book one, trying to make a name for himself as an investigator who has the ability to remember memories in perfect detail when triggered by scent, is burdened with the weight of his father's debts, and just wants to be a young guy having a good time with whatever and whomever he can. Ana, his boss, remains much of a mystery to us, as we are limited to Din's POV, and he doesn't know for certain what her augmentations are. We see her as brilliant, weird, and perhaps a little menacing, and I left this book feeling less certain about her than ever (but in an intentional way by Bennett).

I look forward to any new installments in this series, particularly in light of the author's note on the concepts of autocracy in Fantasy worlds, and the reflection on what that looks like against a backdrop of modern politics. It's important food for thought in this day and age, to understand the tide that worldbuilding and plot-making in fantasy can have.

4.5 ⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited to return to this world. I was fascinated by the world building in the first book and we got a bit more of it in the sequel.

The story takes us to a new canton in the Empire, where Din and Ana need to investigate a new murder case. And as you might have guessed, it's a unique and very challenging one.
We meet new characters along the way and this is something I loved in the first installment as well: the way the side characters stand out themselves and just stay with you even after you finish the book.

The case is very masterfully built by the author. It starts with what seems like an impossible crime: a Treasury office disappearing into thin air, only to be found weeks later, murdered.
The eccentric but brilliant Ana Dolabra quickly becomes aware that this is not just any simple murder, but that it's only the first step in what appears to be a large scale scheme that threatens the Empire itself. Thus, she and Din embark on an amazing journey to find and stop this criminal mastermind who not only seems to always be one step ahead of them, but who turns out to be a worthy rival to Ana's genius.

I was fascinated by how this unfolded. Even though the structure felt a bit repetitive to the first book, the intrigue was so well built that there was a point where I truly believed we won't find the culprit and the case will be left unsolved.
But the solution to the mystery was slowly revealed and it was done so well that, thinking back, I could pinpoint the clues that we were given.

I was also glad that we got a bit of information about Din and his background, but mostly about Ana's. She slowly opens up to Din and I have a feeling that the next book will be truly enlightening about who and what she is.
I just love their dynamic and the humor that is sprinkled here and there within their exchanges is enjoyable, without disrupting the story.

I am so enthusiastic for book three!!!

I usually always like the first book in a series the best, but I actually enjoyed this one so much more! Funnily enough I made a mistake and when I requested this book I didn't realize it was the second and not the first in a series, AND I'm so glad I made that mistake. Both The Tainted Cup and A Drop of Corruption manage to bring a new spin to fantasy with combining it with murder mystery. Every step of the way I was trying to solve the mystery but there were so many twists and turns keeping me on my toes. I also really enjoyed the magical elements and pacing.

If you're looking into reading this book, it’s probably because you were interested in the first in the series. Luckily for us, Bennett delivers a similarly riveting installment in A Drop of Corruption.

The short version of the review: If you liked the first book, you’ll like this one too.

The long version of the review:

(I really just want to get my thoughts down here. I won’t spoil anything, but what I’m saying won’t make sense unless you’ve read the first book).

This series’ style of storytelling is so interesting to me because the plot of the novel follows a typical “call to adventure” structure, but with a fun “whodunnit” theme. It isn’t so much a mystery as a fantasy about people who solve crimes. I’m not sure if that’s a distinction worth making, but for me it creates that indescribable element of compulsive readability. It’s a rare trait in books, and I think it manifests differently for every reader. Despite the book’s flaws, I found it hard to put down.

I think the main aforementioned “flaw” is Bennett’s ambition to write a complex mystery that takes place in a complex world. Due to the expansive scope and Lovecraftian-esque setting of the story, it falls into a similar trap as the previous book: the deus ex machina that is Ana Dolabra. Like in book one, Din mostly acts as a device to gather intel that allows Ana to progress the story with almost omnipotent deduction skills. There would be too much head-scratching and slogging around if actual police work was involved. Instead, Ana makes a prediction and brings the story to the next plot point. I find that Din can fall a bit flat because of this. He doesn’t seem to have independent thought, but honestly I don’t mind. This world is built around fantastical science and lore rather than the characters. And because this world-building is tied into the solving, it still feels like we’re getting fun aha moments rather than info-dumps.

The world-building itself is what sets the story up for success. The unique materiality and science of the Empire are compelling: a locked-room mystery in a leaning tower made of weird moss is much more fun to read about than a regular-schmegular locked-room mystery. Bennett plays this up with incredibly visceral descriptions of plant matter and its uncanny effects. This, combined with gritty passages about human filth and mutilation, make for a distinctive brand of body horror. There is also an element of eldritch horror (regarding the leviathans), but I find it less powerful because it’s simply too hard to picture. Altogether, there is a pulpiness to the worldbuilding that elevates it beyond pure science fiction/fantasy.

This series is weird. Despite its dark themes and imagery, I have a lot of fun spending time in Bennett’s world. It seems to be structured like other mystery series, where each book has a nicely tied-up crime with something larger looming in the future…

After The Tainted Cup became my favorite new release of 2024, A Drop of Corruption was easily one of my most anticipated reads of 2025 and it was well worth the wait. Robert Jackson Bennett delivers another masterfully crafted murder mystery set in an incredibly unique and intriguing fantasy world, and this sequel shows no signs of second-book syndrome.

This time, Din and Ana find themselves investigating the murder of a treasury officer in the canton of Yarrowdale, a case that they quickly realize is much more than it seems. While this book tells a self-contained story, I highly recommend reading The Tainted Cup first, as there are references to key moments from the first book.

A Drop of Corruption is yet another addition to my growing list of favorite murder mystery fantasies. The plot is filled with twists and turns, and kept me on the edge of my seat as I tried to piece together the mystery. Every new revelation had me second-guessing all my theories, and each time I thought I had it all figured out, there would be some other reveal that made me reconsider everything. It’s the kind of mystery that makes you feel so clever whenever you've finally pieced it all together. I also really enjoyed the snippets of world-building we got that had me crafting all kinds of crazy theories about the nature and origins of the leviathans as well as the mystery surrounding Ana herself. Oh, and the ending? A perfect tease for what's to come!

Ana and Din continue to be a fantastic duo. While Ana was more enigmatic in the first book, this sequel gives us more insight into her background as well as her as a character. Honestly, I would love to see a novella at some point from her POV! I also loved the banter between Ana and Din in this book, the humor really balanced out the darker aspects of the story perfectly.

If you loved The Tainted Cup and you're itching for more, this book will not disappoint. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was beyond ecstatic receiving this arc copy of A Drop of Corruption because the first installment of the series (The Tainted Cup) was probably my favorite read of 2024. We are so back with our Sherlock-esque detective duo: bisexual icon and sleep deprived Dinios Kol and his unhinged and astute mentor, Ana Dolabra. Their new investigation no longer takes place in the Empire but in the kingdom of Yarrow where the Shroud is home to. This is one area that Din is absolutely terrified of; it is the place of leviathan research and experimentation. But luck is not in his territory and their newest perpetrator has left him no choice but to follow.

Book two not only expands on the world building but also consolidates a lot of the answers I was looking for from book one. Questions about Ana, the obsession over leviathans, and the inter-political relationships the Empire has with other kingdoms. We also get to be a lot more personable with Din and the struggles he can’t help but keeps to himself. He is pining, he has a large debt to pay off, and he is questioning his career choices because being in the Iudex is no easy job. His quiet determination in contrast with Ana’s chaotic nature is always so satisfying to read and he keeps us grounded in his vulnerabilities. While the book can be grotesque and dark in some parts, the bickerings between Ana and Din and, occasionally from the fun addition Malo, keeps it light and entertaining. The Shadow of the Leviathan series continues to be something that I have not experienced before, perfectly balancing elements of fantasy, ecological horror, and mystery. I am very much looking forward to book three.

Thank you NetGalley and Delrey for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Many series struggle with a second-book slump, especially when the first book is as creative as Shadow of the Leviathan by Robert Jackson Bennett. I’m thrilled to say that’s not a problem with A Drop of Corruption. The second installment is just as creepy, creative, and thrilling as the first. Bennett has crafted such a uniquely disturbing world, and I love the world-building just as much as the plot, which isn’t usually the case for me. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. I could easily devour ten more.

The political intrigue continues in this book as Kol and Ana investigate the disappearance of a treasury officer in a final kingdom, once separate from the Empire, but now in the process of being absorbed into it. Soon, we find ourselves hunting a murderer who may be an intellectual match for Ana.

I loved this sooo much! I had never read a book by this author previously to the tainted cup and I loved the dynamics so much between din and Ana. The setting is amazing… The continent this takes place on has humans but it also has people who are augmented so are not totally human. The augments help them be super in someway,-vision, hearing, intelligence, intuition. Din works for Ana, who is brilliant but very peculiar, prickly, and hard to get to know. Her hygiene and eating habits are suspect. She wears a blindfold so as not to overload her senses. She is sent on another mission to solve a mystery and din is her faithful sidekick. As they unravel the mystery, their relationship also blossoms… No spoilers, but toward the end of the book.Ana gives Din insight into her situation-a secret she has shared with no one. Din is a beautiful beautifully flawed character and makes reading these books so much fun! There is gore, adult humor, mild horror, swearing, sexuality… But if none of that bothers you, this is a fantastic read. I hope the author continues his books about Ana and Din… I’ll read every dang one of them

Fantastic. Bennett ups the stakes in this second of the series, where we learn more about Ana's remarkable background and Din's character and personality (I could see him on film so clearly this time around; he's tremendously good-looking LOL). The mystery is solid, engaging, and clever, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader satisfied without being overly complicated. And as with all great science fiction, the intricate and elaborate world-building is compelling but also serves as a setting for examining very real aspects of humanity like greed and power. Would very highly recommend.

Dinios Kol and Ana Dolabra return in a new Iyalet sci-fi/fantasy mystery. This time an official in the Treasury delegation has gone missing from a locked room. Tense negations are ongoing between the Treasury and a small outpost kingdom.

What Din and Ana find is a hidden hornest’s nest and extreme danger to the Empire. Can the two stop a terrorist from destroying everything?

I loved this! It was so fun and refreshing to visit this world and these characters again. They feel like a warm hug. The mystery for this one was so interesting and I loved the cast of side characters we got this time. Mal especially was so intriguing and compelling. A little less than 50% in is when I got figured out the mystery so as far as murder mysteries goes, this one was too difficult for me. I did enjoy learning how it was done but the who and why were pretty standard.

We get to dig deeper into Kols background along with Ana's backstory. For her reveal in this book, I will say I guess in book one what she was but even knowing, it was still a good book nonetheless! I cannot wait to for the next book in this series. This author is reliable for a good read on any book of his I pick up.

I loved the personal authors note at the end and think this type of story is very poignant for our times.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC as always~

This is the second book in this Shadow of the Leviathan Series. I thoroughly enjoyed the first novel and as soon as I had finished it, I wanted to start book 2! I was not disappointed. Bennett has combined a fantasy world that is gritty and fascinating with a pair of unlikely detectives. A Drop of Corruption sees the 2 main characters back in on the hunt for a murderer in a different city with a host of new characters. The new villain seems to always be one step ahead, even with Din's perfect memory and Ana's brilliant mind puzzle solving skills. The pair must go to extreme measures to figure out who the murderer is and what is happening. While this is a series, I don't think you need to read the first book before the second book. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for my honest opinions.

Another delightful installment in this series!

Din is at it again, investigating a locked-room mystery with his superior, Ana Dolabra. An already interesting mystery rapidly becomes more complex with court intrigue, a pale king emerging from the swamps and the Shroud, the mysterious source of the Empire's power to enhance its citizens. Din and Ana are so fascinating, and I love where this series is going. Count me in to read every installment!

Thanks to Del Ray for the early reader copy.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

Robert Jackson Bennett continues to prove why he is not only one of my favorite authors, but an absolute master of weird, quirky, totally out-there stories. Just like with The Tainted Cup - the breadcrumbs, the clues, the revelations....it all comes together so beautifully that my jaw was just on the floor. If you pay super close attention there are definitely some things you can guess, but I'm not upset to say that I'll never be as smart as Ana Doabara. That said, all her explanations make sense - I never felt like Bennett was just making things up to fill plot holes or force the story in a direction - everything was perfectly placed to get to the climax of the case.

My favorite thing about this world is the science-based magic system - giant Leviathans with magical blood that serves as the base for contagions, grafts, alterations....humans drastically altered to fit into an Empire focused primarily on survival. The magic is heavily influenced by biology and chemistry and it's nothing short of marvelous how Bennett weaves reality with fantasy. And the way this book dives even more deeply into the lore and history and why this is necessary - the ancestors of the world and their downfall; the way people are desperate to find a better way for the future, walking the knife's edge of death and advancement....it's amazing.

On top of an awesome plot and unique magic system, the characters and worldbuilding are simply unmatched. The description of "Sherlock Holmes and Watson meets Knives Out in a fantasy-setting mystery" is 100% accurate - everything and everyone are so unique and quirky and while it's utterly ridiculous, it's never outrageous outside the confines of the world. And the character development is as unique as the characters themselves - watching Din struggle with his purpose; learning tiny bits and pieces more about Ana and who or what she is; the new characters, especially Malo....just phenomenal and I love them. I would die for Ana or Din, you can't change my mind.

Honestly, whether you are a sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, or humor-loving reader you'll find something to love in this book. It's just such a fun and wonderful ride and I cannot WAIT for Bennett to write more in this world!

I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series when I requested this but I read it anyway, and I’m glad I did! With a new setting, mostly new characters, and a helpful summary of The Tainted Cup at the start, it works well as a standalone.

I loved the unique blend of fantasy and detective work-it’s refreshing and kept me hooked. The mystery was brilliantly crafted, with subtle clues woven throughout, leading to a big reveal that tied everything together in a deeply satisfying way. While I predicted a few elements early on, the twists still surprised me.

Ana is a fascinating protagonist, intimidating, powerful, and deeply flawed in the best way. The world-building is eerie and immersive, though the pacing dragged a bit in the middle. Still, the investigation kept me invested, and I’ll definitely go back to read the first book while eagerly awaiting the next!

Holy. Hell. This book is AMAZING.

You know that feeling when you pick up a book, expecting to enjoy it, and then—bam—it absolutely wrecks you in the best way? That’s A Drop of Corruption. The banter? Top-notch. The mystery? Utterly impossible—until Ana starts peeling back the layers in ways that had me gasping out loud.

And can we talk about the stakes? This isn’t just a locked-room mystery (though that part is chef’s kiss). There’s a killer who moves like a ghost, a high-security compound full of dangerous secrets, and an entire empire hanging in the balance. The twists kept coming, and every time I thought I had a handle on things, the book laughed in my face and threw me sideways.

If you loved The Tainted Cup, just cancel your plans now—this one’s even better. And if you haven’t read that one yet? Fix that immediately. You’re in for something truly special.

4.25 Stars out of 5


<i>A Drop of Corruption</i> takes everything I loved in <i>The Tainted Cup</i> and expands on it! I absolutely adored this one. Watching Kol, Ana and friends work fiendishly to uncover the mystery was enjoyable and nerve wracking. The balance between fantasy and mystery is masterfully done in this one. If you love either of those, this is definitely the series to pick up.

I loved getting to see Kol and Ana's partnership in solving the mystery, I can't find words to capture how much I enjoy reading their interactions. The detailed and simultaneously fast world building in this book had me hooked from the beginning, the intriguing mystery that kept growing and changing and kept you guessing was oh so enjoyable. Kol and Ana have been summoned to help solve a seemingly unsolvable murder, little do they know it's just the icing on the cake of the mystery going on here. They have to work alongside their colleagues and it seems that everyone is hiding something.

I really enjoyed getting to know our main characters more, and our side characters in this one were amazing, I hope we see more of them in the future. If you love mystery novels, fantasy, great characters, and just a good time, I would definitely pick this up. Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series! They are so well written and just absolutely fun to read. The mystery kept me turning pages and I love these characters so much! Cannot wait for more.