The Tainted Cup

A peculiar crime. A brilliant investigator. A mystery of epic proportions.

'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

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.

PRAISE FOR ROBERT JACKSON BENNETT

'Engrossing and fascinating' MUR LAFFERTY

'A masterstroke. I want Bennett to write a dozen of these, and send them to me yesterday' MAX GLADSTONE

'Original, imaginative, and suspenseful' MEG GARDINER

'Riveting' AMAL EL-MOHTAR

'If you love unique, genre-bending, boundary-pushing fantasy as much as I do, look no further than Robert Jackson Bennett' FONDA LEE

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)

Robert is the author of American Elsewhere, The Troupe, The Company Man, Mr. Shivers, as well as The Divine Cities trilogy and The Founders Trilogy. The final installment of The Founders Trilogy, LOCKLANDS, is in stores June of 2022.

His work has received the Edgar Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the Phillip K. Dick Citation of Excellence, and he has been shortlisted for the World Fantasy, British Fantasy, and Locus Awards.

He lives in Austin with his wife and two sons, one of whom is very large and one of whom is very loud.

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