Book Review - THE TAINTED CUP by Robert Jackson Bennett

 

(Title: The Tainted Cup / Author: Robert Jackson Bennett / Publisher: Del Ray / Publication Date: February 6, 2024 / Total Pages: 413)

Back Cover Blurb

In Daretana's most opulent mansion, a high imperial officer lies dead - killed, to all appearances, when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even in this canton at the borders of the Empire, 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 investigate this mystery is Ana Dolabra, an investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities.

At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol. Din is an engraver, magically altered to possess a perfect memory. His job is to observe and report, and act as his superior's eyes and ears - quite literally. In this case, as among Ana's quirks are her insistence on wearing a blindfold at all times, and her refusal to step outside the walls of her home.

Din is most perplexed by Ana's ravenous appetite for information and her mind's frenzied leaps - not to mention her cheerful disregard for propriety and the apparent joy she takes in scandalizing her young counterpart. Yet as the case unfolds and Ana makes one startling deduction after the next, he finds it hard to deny 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.

Review

Robert Jackson Bennett has always been an author whose work I have admired. In fact, his Divine Cities trilogy is included in my 10 Favorite Fantasy Series of All-Time and is a dark fantasy masterpiece. His second series The Founders trilogy was very different in tone and setting but also garnered a ton of praise in fantasy circles. So obviously when I heard that he had a brand new book and series coming out I jumped at the chance to get a copy and read it. What I discovered is that Bennett has done it yet again in this his third unique world and has delivered one heck of a thoughtful and magical fantasy mystery story.

The first thing that I will say about THE TAINTED CUP is it is very much a procedural murder mystery at its heart and I found that part of the book to be utterly compelling. But there's also the bonus factor of this still being a Robert Jackson Bennett fantasy so we are treated to some awesome elements that only his mind can deliver like giant leviathans who have threatened the coastal cities so much over the years that they had to erect a huge sea wall to protect them from random attacks. This threat is still very much an active one and so picture this as a backdrop while also dealing with the main story of the murders that have taken place. Bennett's worldbuilding is truly second to none and it has only gotten better in this his third series.

Added to the mystery and incredible worldbuilding are characters who are somewhat complex and morally gray. Bennett also performs the little trick of having the main character and POV be the understudy of the legendary investigator. It's almost the same method that Richard Swan used so effectively in his Empire of the Wolf trilogy and I have to say I really like this technique as it allows for us to experience the words and actions of Ana filtered through the doubts and inner dialogue of Din, who is working very closely with her to solve the mysterious deaths. It's almost like having two main characters and it gave the story such wonderful depth.

I will say that the middle of the book slowed down a bit and there was a time when I feared that it would stall and my enjoyment would be lessened. I mainly attribute this to the necessary dialogues taking place with regard to the murder investigation interviews. The action and intensity slowed down considerably during this section. However, the last 75 pages or so kicked everything back up and the book finished in spectacular fashion to say the least, leaving me wanting that next book in my hands as soon as possible.

Ultimately I really enjoyed THE TAINTED CUP and found it to be an interesting murder mystery set in a super cool world filled with sea monsters and influential cabals who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets. If you enjoyed books like The Death of the Necromancer by Martha Wells and The City and the City by China Mieville, you should find much to like in this, Robert Jackson Bennett's latest offering.

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