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Sign up todayThe Tainted Cup
Shadow of the Leviathan: Book #1
Narrator
Andrew Fallaize
This audiobook uses AI narration.
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Length
13 hours 50 minutes
Language
English
Bookseller recommendation
“Ever read a Sherlock Holmes story and thought, 'wow, this mystery could use more krakens?' This is the book for you! Granted, the krakens (titans or leviathans as they are called here) don’t make too much of a physical appearance, but what you’ll get instead are superpowered people augmented by pieces of leviathans, victims murdered by trees exploding out of them, and a strange, unsettling, jungle landscape where it all takes place. Coupled with excellent writing from Robert Jackson Bennett, and incredible narration from Andrew Fallaize, this audiobook is a must-listen!”
— Donna • Kepler's Books and Magazines
Bookseller recommendation
“A Sherlock and Watson style mystery with the futuristic enhancements of the Hunger Games and the walled city politics of Attack on Titan. Fiendishly clever and witty, this was a lot of fun. Andrew Fallaize did an incredible job creating the perfect voices for all the eclectic characters. Highly Recommended!”
— Kristine • Buttonwood Books and Toys
Bookseller recommendation
“Someone has been murdered! With poison! That made a tree..sprout from..his body? Clearly this is not your average murder mystery, but it is an excellent one. Din, an engraver who has been altered to have a perfect memory, must act as eyes and ears to investigator Ana, who wears a blindfold and prefers not to leave home. In a classic Holmes-and-Watson-style pairing with fascinating fantasy world-building, this one will keep you guessing. ”
— Amber • Quail Ridge Books
Summary
A Holmes and Watson–style detective duo take the stage in this fantasy with a mystery twist, from the Edgar-winning, multiple Hugo-nominated Robert Jackson Bennett
“Great fantasy detective stories are too rare, but Bennett—[a] rising star of fantasy—more than delivers.”—Charlie Jane Anders, The Washington Post
“A thoroughly satisfying delight from start to finish.”—Amal El-Mohtar, The New York Times Book Review
In Daretana’s greatest mansion, a high imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree 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, magically altered in ways that make him the perfect aide to Ana’s brilliance. Din is at turns scandalized, perplexed, and utterly infuriated by his new superior—but as the case unfolds and he watches Ana’s mind leap from one startling deduction to the next, he must 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 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.
By an “endlessly inventive” (Vulture) author with a “wicked sense of humor” (NPR), The Tainted Cup mixes the charms of detective fiction with brilliant world-building to deliver a fiendishly clever mystery that’s at once instantly recognizable and thrillingly new.
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Reviews
“This fantasy mystery novel introduces two dynamic detectives in a strange and frightening world, as if Nero Wolfe were solving mysteries in Area X. . . . The Tainted Cup is a thoroughly satisfying delight from start to finish.”—The New York Times Book Review“Great fantasy detective stories are too rare, but Bennett . . . more than delivers.”—The Washington Post
“Holmes and Watson get a new twist in this fantastical noir set in a mysterious empire . . . Perfect for those who loved China Mieville’s Perdito Street and Kraken but wished there was more camaraderie and crime-solving.”—CrimeReads
"A wonderful novel whose pull to keep turning pages comes from the great plot, inventive world, and fascinating characters. Highly recommended.”—SFF World
“Immediately grabbed my attention with a riveting mystery and quirky characters . . . I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.”—Mystery & Suspense
“Bennett is a master of world-building . . . This is just such a fun, compelling read! I was [so enthralled] by the writing and plot of this terrific and very human mystery.”—Criminal Element
“Bennett’s fantasy spin on Sherlock Holmes will dazzle readers with both its imaginative world building and perfect pacing.”—Bookpage (starred review)
“Inspired by Nero Wolfe with a bit of Hannibal Lecter added to his prime investigator.”—Booklist (starred review)
“Highly recommended for lovers of fantasy and steampunk mystery and readers searching for magically engineered combinations of alchemy and corruption.”—Library Journal (starred review)
“Original, imaginative, and suspenseful, The Tainted Cup superbly blends mystery and fantasy. 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
“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. This is a book that has planted roots in my head for the rest of my life.”—Wesley Chu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The War Arts Saga
“A riveting murder mystery wrapped in a twisty conspiracy, set in a vivid fantasy world terrorized by eldritch monsters . . .”—Fonda Lee, World Fantasy Award–winning author of the Green Bone Saga
“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
“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 world I’m dying to find out more about. Bring on the next one!”—Django Wexler, author of the Shadow Campaigns series
“A classic murder mystery set against dazzling world-building and sly social commentary. Robert Jackson Bennett doesn’t miss.”—James L. Sutter, author of Darkhearts Expand reviews
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