The Tainted Cup

Praise

“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

“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. I am in awe of Bennett’s creativity, the intricate plotting, and this immersive world filled with mushroom air conditioners, killer trees, and giant leviathans that stretch the imagination. I loved every second of it. This is a book that has planted roots in my head for the rest of my life.”—Wesley Chu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The War Arts Saga

“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 fantasy as much as I do, look no further than Robert Jackson Bennett.”—Fonda Lee, World Fantasy Award–winning author of the Green Bone Saga

“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

“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 world I’m dying to find out more about. Bring on the next one!”—Django Wexler, author of the Shadow Campaigns series

“A classic murder mystery set against dazzling world-building 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)

“Inspired by Nero Wolfe with a bit of Hannibal Lecter added to his prime investigator, Bennett . . . kicks off the Shadow of the Leviathan series, which will delight fans of fantasy-infused mysteries.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Introduces readers to a conspiracy of murder and skullduggery as seen through the eyes of a naive junior investigator . . . as his boss and mentor, the rather Sherlockian Ana, threads her way through a complex conspiracy of murders. . . . Highly recommended for lovers of fantasy and steampunk mystery and readers searching for magically engineered combinations of alchemy and corruption.”—Library Journal (starred review)