The Tainted Cup (2024) by Robert Jackson Bennett is a fantasy mystery novel set in a unique world where bioengineered flora and fauna shape society. The story follows Ana Dolabra, a brilliant but eccentric investigator, and her assistant, Dinios Kol, as they unravel a strange murder involving a tree growing from a man’s body. As they dig deeper, they uncover conspiracies that threaten the foundations of their empire.

Robert Jackson Bennett combines detective fiction with high fantasy to create a richly imaginative narrative. In The Tainted Cup, the characters face bizarre technologies, political intrigue, and deadly secrets. Ana’s genius and Dinios’s steady observations drive a suspenseful investigation that explores power, loyalty, and the cost of knowledge¹.