LoveReading Says
I’m so so excited about this novel, it bonds my love of crime fiction and fantasy in the best possible way. Author Robert Jackson Bennett says that: “I actually really enjoyed writing this one, and plan to write more murder mysteries…”. Personally, I hope that a series will be born, as I just have to experience more of this world. Eccentric investigator Ana Dolabra and her magically altered assistant Dinios Kol are called to investigate a suspicious death, where a tree has erupted from the body of an Imperial officer. They discover murder, corruption, and greed as they attempt to solve the mystery of why anyone would put their lands in such horrific danger. The world building on display here is just superb, I was immediately invested in and felt a part of the vivid empire that slotted into place around me. I had no reservations in believing in this society that twisted itself into being around plants and fungi. Dinios recounts the tale, and as he has the ability of perfect recall, he makes for a fascinating narrator. There is a whisper of Holmes and Watson here in terms of the brilliance of the pairing, but Ana and Dinios resolutely stand in their own right as a crime-solving duo. The mystery itself is a wonderful but absolute bugger of a thing as it slinks and swerves and smirks its way through the story. I love this tale so much, I just had to include it as a Liz Pick of the Month, and of course it joins the ranks of our LoveReading Star Books. So brilliantly creative it actually almost hurts, this is one I am shouting from the rooftops about. Original and compelling, The Tainted Cup deserves to fly far and wide, it’s an absolute corker of a read!
Liz Robinson
Find This Book In
| Primary Genre |
Fantasy
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The Tainted Cup Synopsis
A peculiar crime. A brilliant investigator. A mystery of epic proportions.
In an opulent mansion at the borders of the Empire, an Imperial officer lies dead - killed when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even here, where contagions abound and the blood of the Leviathans works strange magical changes, it's a death at once terrifying and impossible.
Called in to solve the crime is Ana Dolabra, an investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricity. At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol, an engraver, magically altered to possess a perfect memory.
Soon, the mystery leads to a scheme that threatens the safety of the Empire itself. For Ana, all this makes for a deliciously thorny puzzle - at last, something to truly hold her attention. And Din? He'll just have to hold on for the ride.
An eccentric detective and her long-suffering assistant untangle a web of magic, deceit, and murder in this sparkling fantasy reimagining of the classic crime novel - from the bestselling author of The Founders Trilogy.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781399725354 |
| Publication date: |
6th February 2024 |
| Author: |
Robert Jackson Bennett |
| Publisher: |
Hodderscape an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| Pagination: |
432 pages |
| Series: |
The Tainted Cup |
| Primary Genre |
Fantasy
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Robert Jackson Bennett Press Reviews
PRAISE FOR ROBERT JACKSON BENNETT I loved this. A twisty detective story, a weird fantasy, a thrilling adventure-The Tainted Cup is a masterstroke. I want Bennett to write a dozen of these, and send them to me yesterday - Max Gladstone, New York Times bestselling co-author of This Is How You Lose the Time War
Original, imaginative, and suspenseful, The Tainted Cup superbly blends mystery and fantasy in this vivid, complex novel. I couldn't put it down. Give me more of this world and these characters ASAP! - Meg Gardiner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the UNSUB series
A riveting murder mystery wrapped in a twisty conspiracy, set in a vivid fantasy world terrorized by eldritch monsters. If you love unique, genre-bending, boundary-pushing fantasyas much as I do, look no further than Robert Jackson Bennett - Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga
The Tainted Cup is a true fantasy mystery, with a leading duo who stand with Holmes and Watson among the greats. And Bennett sets it all in a squishy, fascinating, biopunk worldI'm dying to find out more about. Bring on the next one! - Django Wexler, author of the Shadow Campaigns series
Part Sherlock Holmes murder mystery, part Through the Looking-Glass, The Tainted Cup is one of the wildest, most original stories I've ever had the privilege to explore - Wesley Chu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The War Arts Saga
Bennett's world is engrossing and fascinating - Mur Lafferty, Campbell Award winning author of Playing for Keeps
Robert Jackson Bennett deserves a huge audience - Brent Weeks, New York Times bestselling author of The Way of Shadows
Sherlock Holmes meets Game of Thrones . . . A rousing adventure for alt-fantasy fans - Kirkus Reviews
Absolutely riveting . . . I went to bed late reading it and woke up early to finish it - Amal El-Mohtar, New York Times Book Review
A classic murder mystery set against dazzling worldbuilding and sly social commentary. Robert Jackson Bennett doesn't miss - James L. Sutter, author of Darkhearts
Bennett brilliantly melds genres in this exceptional mystery-fantasy. The worldbuilding is immediately involving, Bennett's take on a classic detective duo dynamic feels fresh and exciting, and the mystery itself twists and turns delightfully. Readers will be wowed - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
