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The Tainted Cup (Paperback)
Robert Jackson Bennett
Book 1 In The Shadow of the Leviathan Series

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. 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.

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Awards

Nominated:

Edgar Award for Best Novel
Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel

Winner:

Hugo Award for Best Novel
World Fantasy Award for Best Novel

Media Reviews

'Part Sherlock Holmes murder mystery, part Through the Looking-Glass, The Tainted Cup is one of the wildest, most original stories' WESLEY CHUA

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A Bit More Info

The Author

Author: Robert Jackson Bennett
Nationality: American

The Book

Format: Paperback
Pages: 432
Published: 2025-02-06
First Published: 2024
ISBN: 9781399725392


The Sub-Genres

  • Detective Crime Fiction
  • Fantasy Crime

The Setting

  • Fictional world

The Themes

  • Justice
  • Corruption

The Writing Style

  • First person perspective
  • Fast paced