This book was better than The Tainted Cup. It was high fantasy with so much detail, and I could feel the tense atmosphere throughout.

There are a lot of complex characters in this book, but Din and Ana remain my favorites. I love their banter and comfortability in their relationship which I feel keeps evolving into found family.

I cannot wait for the third book to be released! Though I suppose I have to wait about a year.

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

4.75⭐️

I enjoyed A Drop of Corruption even more so than A Tainted Cup! This whimsical, yet gripping murder mystery takes many twists and turns as we try to unmask our true villains.

The fact that RJB is so successfully able to keep the reader on their toes with the whodunnit while exploring a refreshingly unique fantasy world and very slowly peeling back the layers of our two main characters, is a testament to his skill as a writer.

The plot felt complex, filled with twists and turns you would expect from a whodunnit, and is expertly woven, putting in the same class as a Sherlockian novel. I struggled at times to keep up as I was mainly doing the audio, but once I switched to immersion worked much better for my brain. I loved the audio narration and would recommend it as an immersion read for those interested.

Ana is absolutely hysterical to me, and I love her and Din’s slowly deepening (platonic) relationship. They so clearly care and respect each other and navigate each other’s neurodivergence and queerness in a subtly beautiful way. I loved Malo as our new character, and I hope we get to see more of her in future books. While I was happy to get more character work with both Ana and Din, and maybe Robin Hobb has spoiled me, but I still wanted to explore more of them both. I’m hoping this is something that we will slowly get more and more of throughout however many books RJB plans to write.
I love how through Ana and Din we get to explore the importance of Public Service work, and the immense value of those who “fight the good fight” to keep people in power in check. I think my one other small criticism that I hope will also become clearer, is the characters (and authors) ability to critique their Empire, and the nature of empire. This book spends a lot of time critiquing the neighboring monarchy, and the evils of having Kings, while having less introspection on their own Empire in comparison than I wanted. The Authors Note at the end did a fantastic job tying our world’s rise in autocracy to the Corruption we see here, and so I hope this theme will become more forward in future books instead of coming off a just a tad “pot calling the kettle black”.

I eagerly await more from this world and am excited to check out RJBs other works!

3.5⭐️ I knew I would enjoy this!!⊹₊⋆

I had a great time reading this book. Especially in the beginning, when the mystery was fresh and the story was panning out for the reader, RJ Bennett can capture his audience! It feels like watching an episode of your favourite crime series, but make it fantasy ⊹⋆𓍊𓋼𓍊𓊝𓄹𓂃 which is so fun. Even though I liked the first book a bit more than this one, I must admit this series has so much to offer and such detailed world-building! I am in awe of how much work has gone into writing this series. Every chapter, every hidden message, politics, rankings, ability, magic, etc., has been well thought out and written!

Also, I liked how the mystery in this book felt like it was on a greater scale and much grander, with a solid answer by the end. Even though the pacing dragged out from 30% through, and I was able to guess most of the twists, nor did I feel surprised by the reveal of who'd done it, I was still hooked from the 70% mark again and couldn't put the book down until I finished it!!!

In this book, we have a new character, Malo, who is introduced at the beginning of the book. An augmented werden _as called in this world _is an individual who has enhanced senses of smell and vision. She is probably my favourite character in this story! Her presence made so much sense in the story and made it more enjoyable and engaging for me. She felt more like a main character to me than a side character. The missions and quests Malo and Din went through in this book were also much more high-stakes. The overall atmosphere felt more high fantasy than TTC, with more politics involved and a sense that the "end of the world" is coming and the whole empire might collapse faster than ever.

This series is usually compared to the Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson duo; however, for me, this feels like a completely different dynamic between the two characters. Are they two smart characters working together? Yes. Does one feel more socially awkward than the other? Yes. Is Ana as smart as Sherlock? Hmm, I don't feel that. 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦/𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵! Albeit a genius at work! Is she cool to read about, and do I enjoy her as a detective solving crimes? Yes, very much! So I guess what I want to say is that I'm a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes stories, this story feels like a completely different team with different characteristics, and I think it should be enjoyed for that!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group—Del Rey and Netgalley for providing this arc in exchange for my honest review! #ADropofCorruption #NetGalley

Just as twisty turny as the original. Fun world building in taking the author’s weird mold and mushroom based world as the norm and making a traditional medieval stone castle the weird little subculture. I feel like the author does a good job of making me feel smart and allowing me to figure stuff out a few pages before the protagonist.

I was basically obsessed with the first book in this series, so of course I was more than a little excited to read the second one. And I'm happy to report that "A Drop of Corruption" is as amazing as I hoped, even though I liked the first book just a bit more.

We return again to Dinius Kol, Iudex assistant to the brilliant and mysterious investigator Ana Dolabra. I adored their relationship in book 1 and it continues to be the heart of the books, even though Din still dreams of leaving the Iudex to join his lover in the fight against the mighty Leviathans. Protecting people from monsters is, after all, so much more bombastic than investigating crimes committed by horrible people.
The crime this time leads the two of them to Yarrowdale, a city very different from what we experienced in book 1. The hostile nature of this old and storied place at the very borders of the empire creates a very unique atmosphere that adds to the intriguing mystery that is presented to us: A treasury worker of the Empire has been abducted and killed in an absolutely impossible manner that noone can explain, so of course the Empire sends the one investigator specialised in solving impossible and inexplicable crimes. It's a great and layered mystery that keeps you guessing all throughout, though it's not the kind of mystery that wants you, as the reader, to figure out the clues yourself. It very much relies on Ana's brilliance once again, and while I can absolutely see this dynamic going stale at some point in the series, her characterisation and Din's experiences keep that from happening for now. While Ana is the star of the show, Din remains an amazing protagonist with deep issues and insecurities, and I enjoyed that he more and more starts to question the Empire's choices and way especially when it comes to his own identity within it. I also loved Malo as a side character and hope to see more of her in future instalments, same with Kepheus though I do think the chances are a lot slimmer in this case.
There's also a depth of themes woven into the world-building and the narrative, and I especially recommend actually reading the author's note of this one (not that I ever think you shouldn't read those). "A Drop of Corruption" does vehemently and cleverly criticise autocracy and the love for it in the fantasy genre, where kings and gods and their divine rule are beloved genre staples.

So yeah, there's a reason I bought RJB's entire backlist after falling in love with "The Tainted Cup", and this second book in the series proves me right. His writing and structuring of his stories just really work for me and I absolutely loved every second of reading this book.
Cannot recommend highly enough.

Quick Thoughts Reviews

📖 what’s a letter that starts with W E D N E S D A or Y that describes your day so far? For me, it’s struggling, as in, struggling to figure out what to wear 🤣. I have changed my outfit three times & I’m about to go back for a fourth.

🌼 Broken Souls & Bones has a lot of potential on the romance front: forbidden attraction, betrayal, secrets. The fantasy parts, though, are a bit hard for me to follow. Still, if you’re in the mood for a solid introductory book with 🔥& a cliffie, you might want to read this one. 4 ⭐️, out 04/29. (Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.


🌼 A Drop of Corruption (part of the Ana & Din series) is book 2 of a Sherlock Holmes re-telling with a whip-smart, mysteriously augmented Sherlock & a Watson who’s both part & not-part of it all. This series is fantastic, you all. The mystery & the character development are there; a perfect combo. 5 ⭐️, out now. (Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.)


🌼 A Fate Forged in Fire has a secret princess heroine with a temper, a marriage of convenience, & dragons! The vibes in this one skew a bit too dark for my taste, but this will make a super satisfying fantasy for someone! The tension between leads is a big part of their dynamic. 3.5 ⭐️, out 05/27. (Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.)

JUST as good as book one, I may even prefer this one, because I was already familiar with the world and the missing person case was more intriguing to me personally.
I love that even though we are in the same world we get a very unique new setting. I could follow the MCs through case after case and would not get bored. Highly recommend you check this series out if you haven´t already.

Man, this book elevates the story and world in every way. We are out of the wet season so the Leviathans are not a worry but RJB still manages to build on them and make them a central role in the story, This installment we journey to Yarrowdale. A canton outside if the empires reach that operates under its own rules and ruler. A hard left turn from the places we've seen so far. Yarrow is grimier, grittier, stuck in old practices and traditions. Which all weave themselves into the brilliant plotting and into a foe that makes the stakes for all extremely high. A foe that is ruthless and knows the workings of all lands intricately.

Once again we follow Din in the mystery and unravel some of his own mysteries. He has grown and while he can still be a stick in the mud you get a lot more of what makes him tick. His flaws, his anxieties, his strengths, and everything in-between are more so on display this time around. The side characters I really enjoyed. Malo in particular. Malo's both no sense attitude mixed with her seeming need to be a little reckless works really well. Ana is more prominent this time around and I am here for it. The mystery of Ana is still lingering in the background but you are given some solid detail to keep your interest in what her deal is alive. She is ever the brilliant shit and weirdo with a hidden heart I hope she always stays.

The mystery itself keeps you on your toes and is again so well plotted that you are fully immersed and when you think you know what is going on it tweaks things to a point that even if you guessed something you probably didn't get it quite right. The pacing is faster than the first book and keeps the story moving at a rate that you do not want to put it down. The first book I have told many about but this entry might make me insufferable as a suggest to any fantasy/murder mystery fans.

Thank you to @netgalley for a digital ARC of A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett.

A Drop of Corruption is the sequel to The Tainted Cup which I reviewed an ARC of last year as well.

If you're looking for a good murder mystery in an epic fantasy world, you'll love this series. The murders feel more complex on the surface, but aren't overly difficult to solve. They are made more intriguing by the world they're built within and the lack of difficulty is not a negative here as the journey is great!

The world building in the Ana and Din Mystery series is wonderful! This world is so cool and has a touch of sci-fi layered in which I am enjoying more and more lately. I know I will keep coming back to these books just to learn more about it!

The characters are enjoyable. I think my only complaint is that any romantic elements feels forced and I personally don't feel like these books need it at all (this is not between the main characters). The foundational relationship between Ana and Din holds its own and their dynamic is something I enjoy.

Had to continue after the first book (5 stars). While starting as a promisingly fantasy/locked room mystery with sinister elements, the book becomes bogged down by excessive complexity, reduced main character banter (made it special in the first book), and an exhausting political plotline. The magic system shifts to a more scientific approach, and while the book contains deeper social commentary—criticizing autocracy in a genre that often glorifies kingdoms—it ultimately lacks the wit, joy, and imagination that made the first book special, leaving the reader feeling overwhelmed by the end.

as always - 12 million stars for Ana and Din. I loved this as much as Tainted cup, maybe even more as we dig into the meat of Ana and her proclivities. Loved.

It was so fun to be back in this world! I really enjoy this combination of fantasy and mystery. Once again, the banter between Din and Ana was my favorite. It didn't quite live up to the first, but I find that happens a lot with second books in series for me. Can't wait for the series to continue!

** I received an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Del Rey Books and Netgalley for the ARC.


"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.
"It's only when you're really very befuddled that I know the work might offer some mild entertainment."

I ADORE Ana and Din's relationship and how it has grown through these two books. The banter and wit honestly have me cackling and I can't get enough of these two. As with The Tainted Cup this book has marvelous world building and another twisting mystery that makes for such a satisfying read. The great thing about a book two is that you're familiar already with the world and all the modifications so it just feels easier to delve into the mystery. Here we journey to Yarrowdale, an area outside of empire's borders to investigate a gruesome murder of a Treasury agent. I loved seeing an area outside of the empire and how if differed politically from Khanum, getting much more history of Khanum and all the craziness that goes with products of a leviathan. While I did have an idea where things were going to end up with the killer, I still found the mystery thoroughly entertaining and absolutely loved Malo!! Glad that she may come back in a future book. This is a fantastic series and can't wait for the next one!!

I really enjoy Bennett's work. Even though it is firmly sitting in a subgenre that it not my wheelhouse, mystery/fantasy, it is so well executed that I can't stop reading.

In this, the second book of the series, the superstar investigator and assistant is called into action. One gets to know the lead investigator more in this series, in a way that is compelling, and Dinios has growth as a character as well. There are Titans, Kaiju like monsters that wreck everything, and the story revolves around a facility built to better understand these monsters, and the investigation centers on that. I can't say too much more without affecting spoilers but fans of mysteries will like this series even without the fantasy aspects, and fans of Bennett certainly will. I hope people who like both genres will try this book!

When I tell you I was excited to get the ARC for this series, that's an understatement. I judged a book by its cover with The Tainted Cup, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. It ROCKED. The second book... better. Just so, so, so, so good. It is FUN, it is mysterious, it is engaging, it is magical and it is so detailed that it is insanely engaging. The layering of the mystery aspects of the plot is very well done and honestly never frustrating (I am guilty of getting annoyed at a lot of mystery aspects of a plot).

4.25/5 ⭐

A Drop of Corruption builds on the foundation of The Tainted Cup by expanding the world and the reader's understanding of it, and that's where this series really shines. The worldbuilding is incredible. We see more of the effects of the leviathans and how they are used and manipulated to both positive and negative effect in this world. Jackson Bennett is not just making things up as he goes along. Any new details about the world that emerge always feel like a natural extension of what we already know.

The mystery in this one was handled really well. One of my criticisms from the first book was that the mystery reveal was too much standing around and explaining. That was still present in this book—and I think it's inevitable with a character like Ana—but it was done in slow reveals throughout rather than all at once, which I appreciated. They are facing an adversary who is always one step ahead and seeing Ana and Din try to counter that was really fun.

At the end of the The Tainted Cup, I was expecting the next book to head to the heart of the empire and feature a lot of political maneuvering, as well as feature Din and Kepheus more. Their relationship was one of the standout elements from the first book for me, so I was a bit disappointed that A Drop of Corruption featured neither of those things.

The characters are fully fleshed out, but are missing depth. I don't find myself emotionally connected to them. However, I loved the addition of Malo as a character and seeing Din and Ana's relationship grow as they come to understand each other better. Observing Din's search for meaning in his life and his profession play out was also a highlight.

Overall, I had fun with this, and I will happily pick up any further continuations of Din's story.

Read if you like:
🧩 Locked room mysteries
🌿 Strange science/biology
🔎 Sherlock Holmes
🔀 Genre mashups

This follow-up to The Tainted Cup pulls no punches it drops us right back into a world that is both bizarre and brilliant, full of alchemical body modifications, empire politics, and a detective duo that somehow works despite everything saying it shouldn’t.

Din and Ana return with a new case, this time investigating a disappearance that quickly spirals into something much bigger. The plot takes its time building momentum, but once the story shifts to the swampy, eerie region of Yarrowdale, everything begins to click into place. There is murder. There is conspiracy. There is a slow creep of dread under all the clever dialogue and labyrinthine clues.

This book is longer and more layered than the first, which works both for and against it. The pacing does lag in spots, but the payoff is worth it. The mystery is solid, the clues are buried just deep enough to keep you second-guessing, and the new setting adds a rich, unsettling atmosphere to the story.

Ana remains a force of nature strange, unpredictable, and oddly endearing. Din continues to be the emotional center, awkward and perceptive and more than just a sidekick. Their dynamic is the beating heart of this series, and a new character added to the mix brings a welcome contrast that keeps their energy fresh.

What sets this series apart is not just the mystery but the way Bennett builds his world. It is immersive, weird in the best way, and feels both ancient and oddly modern. The magic system feels like science with a layer of ritual, and the empire they serve is full of cracks that hint at deeper trouble ahead.

This is not a quick or easy read. It asks for attention, but it rewards it. If you are in the mood for a cerebral mystery wrapped in fantasy with a touch of body horror and a lot of charm, this one is absolutely worth your time.

A slow beginning that demands patience, as it lays out a world of bureaucracy, ranks, and conspiracies. The early chapters are dense with names, politics, and formalities that feel like wading through mud, but once the narrative reaches the Shroud, the story sharpens, and the intrigue truly begins to shine.

Throughout the book, echoes of the first book in the series, The Tainted Cup, linger, suggesting answers without quite delivering them. What seemed foretold in the first novel edges closer to revelation, yet full disclosure remains out of reach. I assume this is deliberate to keep the reader leaning forward and turning the pages, but you never quite know.

Ana’s past is threaded into the narrative, adding layers to investigations and hidden truths. By the time Bennett reaches the final chapters, he reiterates the Easter eggs, rewarding attentive readers with nods to his broader plans. And yet, even in these moments of revelation, he holds back, leaving some mysteries deliberately unresolved.

But beneath all the layered plot, Ana and Din’s relationship is the true pulse of the novel. Their banter is sharp, witty, and grounded, which keeps the story human amid the political and fantastical complexities. The humor they weave between each moment of tension makes the book feel alive, ensuring that no matter how complicated the world-building gets, it never overwhelms.

Previous mentions of this series being a trilogy now have whispers suggesting it may expand further. For now, readers are left with lingering threads and unanswered questions—proof that Bennett’s world still holds more secrets than it’s willing to give up just yet.

This was the sequel to The Tainted Cup. I will say I enjoyed the 1st book more than this one, but it was such a treat to get back into this world and see what the next mystery would be! Another good book from this author!

Ana Dolabra, a brilliant augmented detective matches wits with a equally brilliant adversary who always seems one step ahead. She is accompanied by her assistant and engraver, Dinios Kol as they work through the baffling clues of a disappearing Treasury Office in a backwater canton called Yarrowdale, that is supposed to be in process of being adopted into the Empire. Yarrowdale is important to the Empire because the Apoths are responsible for creating all kinds of reagents, fixes and cures for the people of the Empire. Their most important work takes place offshore in the Shroud, a mysterious place where dead leviathans are processed in hopes of harvesting the creature's blood which has magical potency and properties. Quickly this becomes not only a disappearance but a murder mystery and the plot snowballs into deadly occurrences and puzzling problems. Dolabra seems to almost magically untangle the continuing maze of clues and circumstances with her traditional blindfolded and odd augmentations. Kol is ever at her side or out doing the dangerous "leg" work to help.
This book is the second in the series and the plot moves faster than in the first book because the world-building is mostly done. It is probably necessary to read the first book to establish the characters and the fantastically strange world they exist in.
The books have been compared to Sherlock Holmes in their mystery sense But the world is so different from anything I have ever encountered that there is no comparison. I thoroughly enjoyed both books in this series and anxiously await the next book!