The Tainted Cup

By: Robert Jackson Bennett

Narrated by: Andrew Fallaize

HUGO AWARD WINNER • WORLD FANTASY AWARD WINNER • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A Holmes and Watson–style detective duo take the stage in this fantasy with a mystery twist, from acclaimed author Robert Jackson Bennett

“Like an endearing fantasy version of Knives Out . . . A great murder mystery is hard to pull off but Bennett structures his perfectly, and the fact that it’s in a fantasy setting only makes it better.”—T. J. Klune, The New York Times

LOCUS AWARD FINALIST • EDGAR AWARD NOMINEE

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, Elle, BookPage

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.

Really fun fantasy whodunnit

Reads a bit like Agatha Christie meets Sanderson. Interesting characters, and the reader clearly had a good time doing it. Only angry I have to wait for the next in the series!

Overcoming challenges even if you’re a little bit different

Great book, loved the story and how it was written… never got to a boring spot where I had to skips a few pages. Loved it!

Thrilling adventure full of twists and turns

I can’t wait to learn more about this bizarre world whenever the next book comes out!

Original and hypnotic

The story was unlike anything I had read in this genre. The characters were eccentric in an amusing and likable way. Very well crafted and difficult to stop listening to. I look forward to other books by this author.

Loved this

What a great story teller and loved the voices. This is definitely a must and I hope more books to come!

Highly enjoyable story

I immensely enjoyed this story, plot and characters. I am looking forward to the next book!

a great new story and a wonderful mystery.

An amazing start to a wonderful new series. I am intrigued to see how the leviathans that they keep out are actually tied into the society and empire as a whole.

great pace and plot

I was interested from the start and if held my interest throughout. very much looking forward to the next one.

Unique and thoughtful!

Loved the narrator and how they really conveyed the personalities of each character with their voices. It truly made this story come alive. I love the unique character building and the fantasy universe that this author created. I want more!!

Absolutely terrific!

This story! What a fascinating world, I was entranced the entire time and didn't want the book to end. Superb characterization and a perfect narration made this a joy to listen to. Bennett is among my absolute favorite writers.
I'm so glad the producer chose this narrator, Andrew managed all the voices with great ease and was always easy to understand, he avoided several pitfalls: Reducing volume at the endings of sentences and falling into a rhythmic pattern. (I do wish that better narrators were chosen for Bennett's other books.)
I've already placed a pre-order for the second book in this series and happily anticipate its arrival.