The Tainted Cup

by Robert Jackson Bennett
The Tainted Cup cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Fantasy
Technical:
  • ID: 530
  • Added: 2025-09-13
  • Updated: 2025-09-13
  • ISBN: 9781399725378
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2024-02-06
  • Formats: 6
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99

Set in a richly imagined fantasy empire where magic and strange contagions abound, The Tainted Cup follows Ana Dolabra, a brilliant but eccentric investigator, and her assistant Dinios Kol, who has been magically altered to possess a perfect memory. Called to solve the impossible murder of an Imperial officer—killed when a tree spontaneously grew from his body—the duo navigates a complex web of magic, deceit, and political intrigue. As Ana and Dinios delve deeper, they uncover a plot that endangers the entire empire, blending the classic detective story with imaginative world-building and supernatural elements. Praised for its clever mystery structure and unique fantasy setting, the novel combines sharp intellect, suspense, and a touch of humor, making it a standout work by Robert Jackson Bennett that appeals to fans of both fantasy and detective fiction.

Reviews
Grimdark Magazine · 2025-08-18
stylish 4.00

The writing is smart and stylish, with a cast led by a weird, funny, and brilliant protagonist, making the story a very cool and enjoyable fantasy mystery.

This review emphasizes the novel’s cool factor and sharp writing style, which keeps the reader engaged throughout. The protagonist Ana is described as a standout character—eccentric and intelligent—supported well by her assistant Dinios Kol. The reviewer appreciates the smart narrative voice and the blend of humor and mystery, which elevates the story beyond typical genre fare. The book's world and plot are portrayed as fresh and original, delivering a satisfying and entertaining reading experience.

Quick quotes

    Everything in The Tainted Cup just bleeds cool, and it certainly helps that Bennett's writing is whip smart.

    Ana is weird, funny, and brilliant.

    The story is a very cool and enjoyable fantasy mystery.

Fantasy Hive · Nils Shukla · 2024-02-01
intriguing 4.50

The novel delivers a clever murder mystery intertwined with rich worldbuilding, balancing dark themes and body horror with humor and quirky characters, anchored by a Holmes-and-Watson style detective duo.

Nils Shukla praises the book for its unique and bizarre world that immerses readers in a foreboding atmosphere full of urgency and threat. The murder mystery is intricately crafted with grisly details and a touch of body horror, but the tone is lightened by witty banter and memorable characters. The dynamic between Ana and Din stands out as a highlight, with Din's first-person narration revealing emotional depth beneath his formal exterior. The review appreciates how the story moves from a small town to a chaotic metropolis, deepening the mystery and expanding the stakes with every new clue and crime, making it a gripping read for fans of fantasy and detective fiction.

Quick quotes

    Prepare to be swept away by a uniquely bizarre world and a case riddled with corruption.

    There is no holding back on the grisly details of all the murders that occur, bringing a touch of body horror to the narrative.

    At the head of the investigation is an absolute joy of a Sherlock Holmes and Watson-esque duo.

Novel Notions · 2023-11-30
engaging 4.25

The story is a compelling and rewarding murder mystery set in a high fantasy world, featuring a unique detective duo with complementary skills navigating a complex investigation involving magic and danger.

This review highlights the intriguing partnership between the eccentric and blindfolded detective Ana Dolabra and her assistant Dinios Kol, whose perfect memory aids their investigation. The novel's blend of fantastical elements such as magical contagions and Leviathan blood with a tightly woven murder mystery creates an engaging and atmospheric narrative. The reviewer appreciates the depth of worldbuilding and the balance between Ana's sharp intellect and Din's observational skills, making their dynamic central to the story's appeal. The investigation unfolds with a mix of magic, political intrigue, and personal stakes, keeping readers invested in the mystery and the fate of the Empire.

Quick quotes

    The Tainted Cup is a compelling and rewarding murder mystery in a high fantasy setting redolent of Attack on Titan and The Last of Us.

    Din’s skill for observation and perfect memory with Ana’s impeccable deductions and mind, the two of them must cooperate to untangle a web of magic, deceit, and murder that endangers the safety of the Empire.

    Oh, people love the Legion, with their swords and their walls and their bombards. But though they receive no worship, it’s the maintenance folk who keep the Empire going.

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