The Tainted Cup cover art

The Tainted Cup

Shadow of the Leviathan, Book 1

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The Tainted Cup

By: Robert Jackson Bennett
Narrated by: Andrew Fallaize
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About this listen

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

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.

©2024 Robert Jackson Bennett (P)2024 Penguin Random House Audio Crime Crime Fiction Dark Fantasy Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Mystery Magic Exciting Murder

Critic Reviews

'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
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The narration for this book was excellent, with the various voices and accents. The world building and characters made it a great story all around!

Wonderful narration

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Robert Jackson Bennett is perhaps the greatest author of the 21st century. Every word of his novels is magnificent, and The Tainted Cup certainly did not disappoint.

Like the finest wine

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Story was fun, a nice mystery was helped by not being in the POV of the uber clever one, as I wasn’t disappointed when I worked out plot points well before Din.
Loved the Sherlock lady, she was great. And enjoyed the world building, though had to let all the names, titles etc wash over me as it was way over my threshold. Though enough context info or short explanations were provided that I never felt lost.
The romance was sweet and I hope it continues later.
The narrator was great!

Enjoyable romp in a fantastical world

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I love a creative world, and a Murder mystery in the shadow of Leviathans that threaten apocalyptic destruction is such a good concept.

Ana makes a brilliant ecentric Sherlockian detective. And our protagonist Din, altered to remember everything he sees and experiences is a perfect Watson.

Sherlockian Fantasy

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10/10 for story, narrator, and characterisation. Great discovery and a fantastic way to keep my mind occupied while stuck in an unmoving traffic. Love love love!!

New favourite this year!!!

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Superb. Immediately searching out the second book. loved the world building. The narrator did a stellar job too - uncommonly good.

A great read

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I really enjoyed this story, gave me quirky Sherlock and Watson vibes. Engaging detective murder mystery set in a fantasy world. The narrator did an excellent job I found him very easy to listen to

Charming mystery

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I really enjoyed this as a holiday listen. There weren’t too many surprises in the big reveals at the end, but nor were they too obvious so overall a satisfying detective story.

Excellent narration and world building

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What an excellent book! Different genres blended beautifully and great characters, really original, highly recommend!

Genre bending gem

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Just smash two great genres together and do both very well and you have this

Complex and excellent but also SO fun

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