{"product_id":"the-tainted-cup-ana-and-din-mysteries","title":"The Tainted Cup (Ana and Din Mysteries)","description":"\n\u003ctable align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"productDetailSmallElements\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBiographical Note\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRobert Jackson Bennett\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of the bestselling Ana and Din series, the first book of which, \n\u003ci\u003eThe Tainted Cup, \u003c\/i\u003ewon the Hugo Award for Best Novel and the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel and was an Edgar Award finalist. Previously, his Founders Trilogy and his Divine Cities trilogy were both Hugo Award finalists in the Best Series category. His work has received the Edgar Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the Philip K. Dick Citation for Excellence, and has been shortlisted numerous times for the World Fantasy and Locus awards. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his family.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Like an endearing fantasy version of \n\u003ci\u003eKnives Out \u003c\/i\u003e. . . A great murder mystery is hard to pull off but Bennett structures his perfectly, and the fact that it's in a fantasy setting only makes it better. The best news? The sequel was just released.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--TJ Klune, \u003ci\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"This weird tale of murder combines the best of Lovecraft and Doyle and is one of those stories that stays with you for a long time.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Matt Dinniman, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eDungeon Crawler Carl\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Wow--this was fantastic, a total hit. I don't usually read fantasies, but this works brilliantly as a mystery novel as well. It's hard to fully capture in just a few words, but this is a masterpiece that deserves to be read. . . . Highly recommended.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Hideo Kojima, legendary video-game creator of the Metal Gear series\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"This fantasy mystery novel introduces two dynamic detectives in a strange and frightening world, as if Nero Wolfe were solving mysteries in Area X. . . . \n\u003ci\u003eThe Tainted Cup\u003c\/i\u003e is a thoroughly satisfying delight from start to finish.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eThe New York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Holmes and Watson get a new twist in this fantastical noir set in a mysterious empire . . . Perfect for those who loved China Mieville's \n\u003ci\u003ePerdito Street \u003c\/i\u003eand \n\u003ci\u003eKraken\u003c\/i\u003e but wished there was more camaraderie and crime-solving.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eCrimeReads\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"A wonderful novel whose pull to keep turning pages comes from the great plot, inventive world, and fascinating characters. Highly recommended.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eSFF World\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Immediately grabbed my attention with a riveting mystery and quirky characters . . . I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eMystery \u0026amp; Suspense\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Great fantasy detective stories are too rare, but Bennett . . . more than delivers.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eThe Washington Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Bennett is a master of world-building . . . This is just such a fun, compelling read! I was [so enthralled] by the writing and plot of this terrific and very human mystery.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eCriminal Element\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Bennett's fantasy spin on Sherlock Holmes will dazzle readers with both its imaginative world building and perfect pacing.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eBookpage, \u003c\/i\u003estarred review\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\"Inspired by Nero Wolfe with a bit of Hannibal Lecter added to his prime investigator.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eBooklist, \u003c\/i\u003estarred review\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Highly recommended for lovers of fantasy and steampunk mystery and readers searching for magically engineered combinations of alchemy and corruption.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal, \u003c\/i\u003estarred review\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Original, imaginative, and suspenseful, \n\u003ci\u003eThe Tainted Cup \u003c\/i\u003esuperbly blends mystery and fantasy. I couldn't put it down. Give me more of this world and these characters ASAP!\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Meg Gardiner, #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of the UNSUB series\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\"Part Sherlock Holmes murder mystery, part \n\u003ci\u003eThrough the Looking-Glass, The Tainted Cup\u003c\/i\u003e is one of the wildest, most original stories I've ever had the privilege to explore. This is a book that has planted roots in my head for the rest of my life.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Wesley Chu, #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of The War Arts Saga\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\"A riveting murder mystery wrapped in a twisty conspiracy, set in a vivid fantasy world terrorized by eldritch monsters . . .\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Fonda Lee, World Fantasy Award-winning author of the Green Bone Saga\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"I loved this. A twisty detective story, a weird fantasy, a thrilling adventure-- \n\u003ci\u003eThe Tainted Cup\u003c\/i\u003e is a masterstroke. I want Bennett to write a dozen of these, and send them to me yesterday.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Max Gladstone, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling co-author of \u003ci\u003eThis Is How You Lose the Time War\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\" \n\u003ci\u003eThe Tainted Cup\u003c\/i\u003e 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!\" \n\u003cb\u003e--Django Wexler, author of the Shadow Campaigns series\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\"A classic murder mystery set against dazzling world-building and sly social commentary. Robert Jackson Bennett doesn't miss.\" \n\u003cb\u003e--James L. Sutter, author of \u003ci\u003eDarkhearts\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher Marketing\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHUGO AWARD WINNER - WORLD FANTASY AWARD WINNER - NATIONAL BESTSELLER - A Holmes and Watson-style detective duo take the stage in this fantasy with a mystery twist, from acclaimed author Robert Jackson Bennett \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Like an endearing fantasy version of \u003ci\u003eKnives Out\u003c\/i\u003e . . . A great murder mystery is hard to pull off, but Bennett structures his perfectly.\"--T. J. Klune, \u003ci\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Combines the best of Lovecraft and Doyle.\"--Matt Dinniman, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eDungeon Crawler Carl\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"A masterpiece.\"--Hideo Kojima, legendary videogame creator of the Metal Gear series\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLOCUS AWARD FINALIST - EDGAR AWARD NOMINEE - A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: \u003ci\u003eThe New York Times Book Review, \u003c\/i\u003eNPR, \u003ci\u003eElle, BookPage\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eIn 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. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAssigned 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. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAt 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. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAs 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. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBy an \"endlessly inventive\" ( \n\u003ci\u003eVulture\u003c\/i\u003e) author with a \"wicked sense of humor\" (NPR), \n\u003ci\u003e The Tainted Cup\u003c\/i\u003e mixes the charms of detective fiction with brilliant world-building to deliver a fiendishly clever mystery that's at once instantly recognizable and thrillingly new.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/span\u003e 11\/01\/2023 pg. 45 (EAN 9781984820709, Hardcover) - *Starred Review\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/span\u003e 11\/20\/2023 (EAN 9781984820709, Hardcover) - *Starred Review\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003eBooklist\u003c\/span\u003e 12\/01\/2023 pg. 116 (EAN 9781984820709, Hardcover) - *Starred Review\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/span\u003e 02\/01\/2024 (EAN 9781984820709, Hardcover)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003eBooklist\u003c\/span\u003e 12\/01\/2023 pg. 116 (EAN 9781984820723, Other)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n","brand":"Del Rey Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51496149090582,"sku":"9781984820709","price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0857\/9910\/8886\/files\/9781984820709.jpg?v=1783054053","url":"https:\/\/lusper.myshopify.com\/products\/the-tainted-cup-ana-and-din-mysteries","provider":"Lusperbooks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}