The Tainted Cup (Shadow of the Leviathan #1) by Robert Jackson Bennett

  

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Mystery, Fantasy
Content: Strong language

 

A Holmes and Watson-style detective duo take the stage in this fantasy with a mystery twist, from the Edgar-winning, multiple Hugo-nominated Robert Jackson Bennett

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.

I've never read anything else by this author so going into this I wasn't sure what to expect. I was happy to find that the story and the author's writing style pulled me in immediately. I love both fantasy and mystery so it's always wonderful when a book that combines the genres hits the right notes with me. I enjoyed getting to know the main character Din, and the very eccentric investigator, Ana, whom he works with.  There was an interesting combination of things in this book. Plant spores, body augmentation, and huge leviathan creatures, along with the Sherlock Holmes type characters. It all made for an intriguing world that was easy to immerse myself in, and I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series.

This is the first book in a series, but it stands on it's own just fine as the mystery is wrapped up nicely. If you like fantasy and mystery blended together then I recommend this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC of this book.