Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this!

This book is a murder mystery, but set in a world with leviathans and people who are enhanced to have special abilities. The cast is interesting and I’m glad this will be a series because I’m excited to know more about the characters and see where they go next!

Tainted Cup

I give this 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️’s

So, if you like old style mysteries, you’re gonna like this.
The world And environment and don’t forget the plants Bring a different check up for the humans who live there! yes, I said plants. They provide a security health diagnosis for the planet and the humans.

So, like all murder mysteries murder by tree. This is no barking matter. But like all murders what you see, isn’t always what seems to be.

Enter Ana Dolabra, the eccentric detective!! ( reminded of Adrian Monk).

Yes, she has an assistant and yes, you’ll be trying to guess who did this the whole way through a lot of twists, and turns of ordinary and in ordinary.

But a great read. Overall, I want to thank NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy to read. For an honest review!!!

The Tainted Cup
by Robert Jackson Bennett
Pub Date: 06 Feb 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In Daretana’s greatest mansion, a high Imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even here at the Empire’s borders, where contagions abound and the blood of the Leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death both terrifying and impossible.

Assigned to investigate is Ana Dolabra, a detective whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities. Rumor has it that she wears a blindfold at all times—and that she can solve impossible cases without even stepping outside the walls of her home.

At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol. Din is an engraver, magically altered in ways that make him the perfect aide to Ana’s brilliance.

Din finds himself at turns scandalized, perplexed, and utterly infuriated by his new superior—but as the case unfolds and Ana’s mind leaps from one startling deduction to the next, he must grudgingly admit that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.

As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the safety of the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect.

Featuring an unforgettable Holmes-and-Watson style pairing, a gloriously labyrinthine plot, and a haunting and wholly original fantasy world, The Tainted Cup brilliantly reinvents the classic mystery tale.

The Tainted Cup is a story about a woman whose too smart for her own good, a man who forgets nothing, and a murder that turns over not just corruption that runs so deep it fouls the very land, but a complicated murder plot that twists and turns in ways that are both surprising, and make perfect sense.

This is a book filled with an absolutely breathtaking amount of worldbuilding. and a fantastic vibe that cannot be beat. though the world is beautiful, filled with wonders beyond imagining, there is danger lurking under the surface. dangerous and deadly, descriptions that match both the world they live in, the city they are working in, and the people they find themselves surrounded by. This is an extremely thrilling tale filled with secrets, surprises, and an ending that will leave you begging for more. (it's NOT a cliffhanger! no worries!) The characters are also amazing, each one filled with enough personality and interest to burst out of the pages! between the characters and the mystery unfolding before my eyes, I was at the edge of my seat the entire book!

Another fantastic effort from Bennett, who never fails to deliver the goods. It's a detective/crime/mystery/fantasy novel all rolled into one, and it's a good as it gets. I'm not a fan of fantasy but I make exceptions when Bennett writes them. An investigator and her fresh-faced apprentice assistant, reminiscent of Holmes and Watson, are tasked with looking into a mysterious death involving the possible poisoning of an important officer in the Empire. Conspiracies, lies, patronage, revenge, corruption and powerful families all factor into the story in some way. The story slowly unravels over time as more clues are deciphered and more people are killed. A complex resolution brings everything to a close for now, as this is part of another trilogy. Needless to say, I am awaiting the second installment with bated breath. Bennett is one of the most talented authors around, starting with his terrific Mr. Shivers. If you haven't read him yet, you really should start. Very highly recommended. Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“The Tainted Cup” combines murder-mystery and science fiction fantasy in the most unexpectedly witty and captivating way. I’ll admit, I was intimidated about the world-building before I started to read this book. But I am happy to report that I had no reason to be worried! This story does contain some complex world-building, but it is introduced gradually and understandably to the reader. At the very beginning, the reader is dropped right into the mystery. And from that point on, I was so intrigued by the progression of this story. The characters are so eclectic and charming; they are a huge reason I was so invested in this book.

Do you ever want to pick up a book without really knowing what you’re getting into because it doesn’t fit into any one genre? Pick this one! Trust me, you will enjoy it!

Thank you Random House Publishing Group Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I am new to this author and this book was offered to me by the publisher. It’s a murder mystery fantasy novel with terrific world building and great characters. I absolutely could not put it down. The imagery is very clear as is the terrain. Our protagonist is a new investigator for a very unorthodox boss. I love the easy way the author places female characters in non-traditional roles. The book is LBGTQ friendly. I found it very engaging and want more of this story and the author. The book does resolve its mystery so no cliff hanger here. Very pleased to have had the opportunity to read this. Delightful.

Okay this was a little hard for me to get into at first- diving into the world of as a little intimidating for me and it took me a minute for my brain to catch up. BUT, once I did, I was hooked. Fantasy Sherlock Holmes with a twisted mystery?? Yes please. Overall I loved this!! Such a cool and unique story that really pulls you in from the beginning.

Holy crap - I loved this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity read in advance of its publishing date. It was such a treat!

I tore through this book and couldn't get enough. Bennett crafted an immersive world that was A) fun and different and B) easy to follow and not overly complicated. His ability to weave in character building amongst world building is impressive.

I'm only mad that I can't buy this book and gift it to my friends today! I set a note in my calendar for its pub date next year so I can shout about it from the rooftops then.

If you love a good murder mystery set in a world with giant sea creatures, people with artificially enhanced abilities, and witty dialogue this is a good book for you.

When a murder takes place in a mansion in Daretana, Dinios Kol is sent on behalf of the region’s lead investigator, eccentric and brilliant Ana Dolabra, to inspect the scene and interview the household. As an engraver, Din is specially augmented to remember everything he sees and hears. Din’s memory and Ana’s genius combine to uncover a conspiracy that goes far beyond the initial crime.

When a contagion is revealed to be the cause of death in their investigation, Ana and Din head to the capital of the Empire. There, they consult with doctors and team up with soldiers as more bodies are discovered with the same infection. As the puzzle becomes more convoluted, Din and Ana will have to lean on each other’s skills to solve the case – and to keep themselves alive.

This book was so good! I can’t begin to tell you all the details I loved about it, so you’ll have to read it yourself! The world the author built was unique and fantastical. There were so many layers to this mystery, and the dynamic between Ana and Din was filled with humor, affection, and mutual respect. They had a Watson/Holmes-esque relationship that I really enjoyed. I don’t know if I liked the fantasy world or the mystery better, but both were so well done! I highly recommend this one!

Thank you NetGalley!

This book was not for me, I was so confused the whole time. I think I would of liked it better as an audiobook. I didn’t know who was who. It was just ok.

Seen people on TikTok talk about this book so much I had to try and get it. Sure enough NetGalley gave me a chance to read it and I’m so thankful, this book is was one of the best I’ve read so far. I literally read it in one day.

4.5 stars. I was so excited to find out that I had gotten approved for an ARC of this while currently still awaiting a weeks-long hold on Locklands, I didn't even read the blurb before I started reading -- I knew I would enjoy it. And I'm happy to report that I wholeheartedly did.

This book blended together two of my favorite concepts -- a detective duo mystery and biopunk fantasy -- in a way that genuinely surprised me. This book is so unique, I feel lucky that I got to be one of the early eyes on it. For mystery fans, the mystery aspect absolutely delivered. Ana and Din are such a fun, endearing pair, and although the mystery itself was on the more predictable side, I still enjoyed Ana's moments of revelation à la Knives Out. More than anything, though, I loved their dynamic, and I'm looking forward to reading more of it in future installments. And I absolutely will be reading the future installments, if only to learn more about the aforementioned biopunk fantasy world itself. The world of The Tainted Cup is a wholly unique one that seems inspired in equal parts by Japanese kaiju media/anime and ancient China in a way that scratched my brain so good. I've always been a sucker for worlds that blur the lines between sci-fi and fantasy, and I was pleasantly surprised (again, after having not read the blurb) to find such a rich and unique world in The Tainted Cup. I have certainly never read a book set in a world like this before, and I couldn't get enough of it.

I reserve the last 0.5 stars of my rating out of a desire for a bit more characterization of the characters besides Ana and Din, and the fact that I found the mystery just a bit predictable, but The Tainted Cup was a solid first installment in a new series from an author that is quickly becoming one of my favorites. My only regret is that, having read this book early, I'll have to wait even longer for the sequel.

This engaging and original story is the first in a new fantasy series by the author of The Founders trilogy.

Buckle in and prepare yourself for some hefty worldbuilding, but part of what was admirable about this book was the fresh and unique setting. The Empire of Khanum is arranged like a succession of spoked wheels, with the the wealthiest citizens living in the center, the farthest from the outer ring's sea walls. This is because every wet season, leviathans surface from the deep and try to breach the walls, destroying everything in their path. Branches of the military are dedicated to shoring up and defending the wall from the monstrous titans.

Some people who serve the empire are given grafts or suffusions, altering their abilities in specific ways. Our main character, Din, is an engraver; he has been cerebrally altered to have a perfect eidetic memory of everything he sees and hears. He carries little vials of different scents with him to use as cues to associate with particular memories. With this ability, he acts as the eyes and ears of the exceedingly eccentric, and brilliant, Ana, the investigator to whom he is apprenticed.

The bulk of this novel focuses on a murder investigation Ana and Din undertake, one that winds up with far-reaching political implications. But there's also a lot about the uncertainties of living in a world that is routinely under threat, not only by the titans of the sea, but also contagion, worms, and a host of other worries. It addresses the nature of civilization, and the question of whether people exist to serve their Empire, or vice versa.

One of the highlights of this book is the relationship and banter between Ana and Din (and a few other characters introduced during their investigative proceedings), which are charming and often downright hilarious. Ana is irreverent, Din is sincere. I really wish I could share some quotes here to show just how funny the dialogue is at times, but since this is an ARC, I'm not supposed to until I can check that nothing about them is changed for the final published version.

And as if all of that wasn't enough to secure a place for this book in my esteem, is also included great representation: of disability and neurodiversity, plus the minor romance included was queer.

I highly recommend this refreshing and entertaining tale of a murder mystery that unfolds in a new and interesting fantasy world, and I can't wait to read about what Ana and Din get mixed up in next.

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this advanced review copy. This review will be posted to my blog and Instagram account closer to the book's publication date.

Robert Jackson Bennett is, by far, one of the most unique fantasy authors of our time. The Tainted Cup only proves how versatile the man building worlds, magic systems and characters after such a wondrous series that is The Founders Trilogy. That series kicked ass, and now it’s time to rave about this new series, Shadow of the Leviathan.

Colossal Monsters, yes.
Classic Whodunit, yes.
Fast-paced Mystery, yes.

The strongest quality Bennett has is his the way he makes his characters believable in such a demanding and unique environment. He has a staple in his books that gives the reader comfort knowing they’ll have a fantastic story. The Tainted Cup is awesome in every regard. The setting, story and characters are great. We’ve got an eccentric female detective that is quick to love and exciting group of events that immediately get the story rolling. This is one of those stories that’ll be thinking about for a long time.

I’m pumped to read the sequel. Until then, I’ve gotta read Bennett’s first trilogy, The Divine Cities.

This one astounded me in the most magical and thought provoking ways! If you’d like something resembling Sherlock Holmes but in a twisted dystopian society where the plants are more than just plants… give this a try! The mystery of this story was laid upon us so beautifully woven it leaves you guessing up to the very lasting second. I thought I had it pegged quite a few times. Fantastical world building with political intrigue wrapped into one, this mystery might gobble you up!

This book was not on my radar at all until the publisher reached out to me for a review. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise. This fantasy mystery includes an interesting Sherlock Holmes/Dr. Watson type duo, detailed worldbuilding, and a whodunnit that kept me on my toes until the very end.

Ana Dolabra is a foul-mounted eccentric who refuses to leave her home and insists on wearing a blindfold. She uses Dinios Kol, her new assistant, augmented with the ability to remember everything he experiences all connected to a whiff of a certain scent, as her eyes and ears at crime scenes and during interrogations. When an official is found dead with a plant sprouting from his torso - the same plant that previously decimated an entire region of this world - the game is, as they say, afoot.

The set-up, despite heavy worldbuilding and fantasy terminology, immediately grabbed my attention and I read this in just a few days. I was intrigued by the characters, the world, and the intricately plotted mystery and could not put it down. I can’t remember ever reading a mystery set in a fantasy world and it was a fun treat. My only quibble is that I have some questions still about the leviathans that threaten this realm and hope there will be more answers in what I suspect will be a series. Also, and I may be an exception, but modern profanity always pulls me out of a fantasy story.

Well this is in my top three books I’ve read this year. The world building, the mystery, the humor just immaculate. Chef’s kiss. This book isn’t even released yet and I’m salivating for the sequel.
Our main character Din is trial assistant to an quirky, wickedly intelligent investigator in a fantasy world where giant beings called leviathans(think Atlantis Lost Empire underwater creature) break through sea walls, and plants can be purifiers, but also poisons, and keys. After beginning to investigate a death in a “spare” house of a wealthy family, Din and Ana must carefully maneuver their investigation around a (Roman inspired?) world where corruption runs deep in the Empire.
I just loved this book. I loved the mystery. I loved the humor, it reminded me of Sherlock Holmes had he cursed and ate lightly cooked meat. And the character dynamic- just fantastic. The world building is lush and I did struggle a few times, however everything was implied in the context if not explained, and I can’t wait to get more of it.

If Sir Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie were still with us, they would RAVE about this book.

A HUGE thank you to NetGalley and
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this outstanding ARC.

Is Robert Jackson Bennett’s The Tainted Cup a mysterious fantasy or a fantastical mystery? Either way, it’s a compelling read. In a fancy mansion in Daretana, an Imperial officer lies dead, killed when a tree seemingly erupted from his body. It’s a terrifying and impossible death, and one that calls for the talents of investigator Ana Dolabra. Accompanying her is her new assistant, Dinios Kol, who has been magically altered to possess a perfect memory. The two form a Holmes-and-Watson pair, with Kol serving as the hermit-like Dolabra’s eyes, and Dolabra providing the brilliant insights.

Their investigation takes them from abandoned ruins to the mansion of one of the Empire’s leading families, uncovering along the way a long-simmering plot for revenge that reaches into the highest echelons. Bennett does a superb job with world building, creating a land where the Empire and its magic are all that stands between the dreaded Leviathans and the downfall of civilization. Recommended for both fantasy and mystery fans.

(Per the publisher's request, I will not be releasing this review publicly on my blog or elsewhere until the official publication date.)

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. I am not being compensated for this review.

Characters « 9.0/10 »

Besides the crazy, hard to pronounce fantasy names, I adored our two main characters—Din and Ana. They were fleshed out well, had great complimentary personalities. I loved Ana’s attitude. She made me laugh on multiple occasions. And the comedic relief provided was much appreciated given the grim circumstances.

Atmosphere « 8.5/10 »

The world-building in this was superb. It’s rich with lore and unique fauna and flora. The settings were easy to envision with the help of great descriptions. The way the world is laid out and the circumstances that required it to be that way was very reminiscent of Attack on Titan and I was so here for it. I didn’t feel as connected to the emotions displayed, but I enjoyed everything nonetheless.

Writing « 9.5/10 »

The writing felt very spot-on with the fantasy feel. Not too modern where it felt like it was supposed to take place in our world, and not too medieval. A nice blend.

Plot « 9.5 »

Bennett does a fantastic job of slamming you with revelations after lulling you with a slow-going investigation where nothing feels like it’s helping progress or relevant pieces of lore or backstory.

Intrigue « 9 »

There were times inbetween the major revelations where I felt a tad bit bored with the world-building, but it never took too long after that to be hit with a whammy that had me keep turning the pages.

Logic « 8 »

For the most part, everything was easy to follow along. But all of the alterations and crafts had me a bit confused sometimes. Along with the similarity of names between the area where the majority of the story takes place and a race? (I’m not sure if that’s the right word for it) of people in the world.

Enjoyment « 9.5 »

Despite my hang-ups on some of the science and the names, I enjoyed this journey so much and I can’t wait for more of the series in the future!