Book Review: A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett

 

Ana Dolabra and her assistant Dinios Kol are called in again to solve a seemingly impossible mystery. This time a man has disappeared from a locked room at the far edge of the empire. Ana and Din quickly discover there is more murder than missing about this crime. And discovering one mystery leads to another and things snowball fast. The number and complexity of mysteries puts Ana to work. The suspects and crimes seem impossible. And the perpetrators seem one step ahead of Ana which is nigh on to impossible. 

We see what's going on filtered through Din's eyes, much the same way Ana does. And we are privy to his worry that Ana may finally have met her match.

This is the sequel to The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett. It's the second book in the Shadow of the Leviathan series. It was released April 1, 2025 from Del Rey.

The setting for A Drop of Corruption is another well realized portion of the world we were introduced to in The Tainted Cup. This time we are at the edge of the Empire bumping hips with a more primitive autocracy. Some people are born into a life of nobility. Others are born as slaves. And still others are the ruling class of the autocracy. There is a busy port town which is primarily run by people from the Empire. More rural areas are home to the nobility and their slaves. And then there is the capital city where negotiations are taking place to give them a place in the Empire. The world is complex and fully realized.

I have read other reviews that compare the partnership of Din and Ana to Watson and Sherlock. This seems valid since both are told from the non  eccentric genius's point of view. And Ana and Sherlock are masters at deduction. My favorite other character is Malo who has enhanced vision, smell, and hearing. These things help Ana and Din to move towards solving the mysteries at hand.

The book gets your attention and keeps it. Every scene helps move the plot forward. There are very few slower scenes. And as I said, each mystery leads to another. They are not all solved until the big reveal scene, although we get many clues along the way. 

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. It's very well written and enjoyable as a fantasy mystery. If you read The Tainted Cup and enjoyed it, this book is not to be missed. It can be read as a standalone, but it's better read in order. I recommend this book to people who like their mysteries in new, fantastical, fully realized settings. It's also perfect for fans of locked room mysteries.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

Teaser Tuesday: The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

 No one else is in the room, so she allows herself the pleasure of running her hands across the spines, listening to the little voice in her head that chatters their contents to her. She's always been good at this language -- it's why Chiron had been so eager to put her to work so young. As a thief, it's been indispensable. (pp 66-67)

The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers was published November 2025 by Redhook.

What have you been reading? Have you got a teaser to share with us? Leave it in the comments. Happy reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #584:Gabby Greene Knows Whodunit by Sam Tschida

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: In this fast-paced and deliciously witty spy romcom, a single mom finds herself on a mission with the CIA as they attempt to uncover a cult—perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It.

Gabby Greene: Secret agent. Mother of two. Figuring it out as she goes along.

After her divorce, Gabby never expected that she’d be this close to having it all. Spying with a hot handler who’s an expert in after-hours under-the-covers work was not on her current bingo card. But balancing romance, espionage, and school lunches is a job for a magician, not a secret agent. Gabby will just have to keep dreamy Markus at arm's-length . . .

Easier said than done. Her next mission, should she choose to accept it: Pretend to be Markus’s fiancée so they can infiltrate a Power Couples Retreat to see whether the group is selling national security secrets (in addition to questionable beauty products).

To avert a national crisis, Gabby and Markus will need to look like they’re in love, planning their wedding—and enjoying the honeymoon cottage. Faking a relationship with the perfect man without actually falling for him? Piece of calorie-free cake, right?

Gabby Greene Knows Whodunit by Sam Tschida is expected out January 20, 2026 from a division of Grand Central Publishing named Forever.

Why am I waiting on this book? The blurb says it's perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. The Finlay Donovan series is fun to read. I'm up for an interesting, fun read involving espionage and a little romance.

What book are you waiting on? Leave a note about it in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing TBR lists. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

She pulled into Brine's Bait, Tackle, and Fine Wines to pick up a six-pack of the dark bitter beer Theo liked and some milk for the morning. The little store was a miracle of eclectic supply, one of the few places on the planet where you could buy a fine Sonoma Merlot, a wedge of ripened French Brie, a can of 10W-30, and a carton of night crawlers. (p.74) 

The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror by Christopher Moore was released November 1, 2005 by William Morrow. It is book three in the Pine Cove series. And it was an award winner - The Quill Award for Science Fiction/fantasy/Horror 2005. The other two books in the series are Practical Demonkeeping and The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove.

What have you been reading? Do you have favorite books that you reread this time of year? Do you have favorite holiday movies? Tell us in the comments. 

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #583: Killer Vibes by Jack Friday

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

A wild and wickedly funny series debut, introducing readers to the irresistible and irrepressible private investigator, Peter Key.

"Peter Key is my new favorite amateur sleuth."—Elle Cosimano

Meet Peter Key: self-proclaimed “laziest private investigator in Texas” (it’s harder than it looks), full-time bisexual, dedicated stoner, and the surprised recipient of a windfall inheritance from an uncle he barely knew. Peter’s life was a mess before he became the owner of a dilapidated house in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Austin, but now he has a mountain of debt to deal with—and pushy realtors popping up on every corner to convince him to sell the land while the market is hot.

But Peter doesn’t like to be pushed around. And when he discovers a bag full of cash and a suggestion that his uncle's death might not have been an accident, he starts asking questions. When they said “Keep Austin Weird,” they weren’t joking. Just about everyone Peter meets seems to have a hidden agenda, and he soon finds himself pulled into a lethal game where not everybody plays by the rules. Fortunately for Peter, he’s never been a rule follower anyway.

Sexy, suspenseful, and packed with Austin’s quirks, Killer Vibes is the start of an iconic new series with a singular, unforgettable cast of characters.

Killer Vibes by Jack Friday is expected to be released July 14, 2026 from Minotaur Books. This is the first book in a new series.

Why am I waiting on this book? Peter sounds like an interesting character let alone a private investigator. I want to see how he handles things and what happens to him. And to be fair, the quote from Elle Cosimano makes it more desirable as well since I love her books.

What book are you waiting on? Leave a note about it in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing TBR lists. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Shadow Show: A Ray Bradbury Tribute edited by Sam Weller and Mort Castle

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR! You can also just share what you are currently reading. We make it very easy to play along. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Ambrosia at the Purple Booker.

1: Grab your current read. 2: Open to a random page. 3: Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title and author so that other people can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

“No one is going to believe him. Would you believe him if he said we were guarding a dinosaur?”

From By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain by Joe Hill (p. 133)

Shadow Show was published July 10, 2012 by William Morrow.

The story reads very much in the style of Ray Bradbury. I enjoyed it. What are you reading? 

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #582: A Neighbor's Guide to Murder by Louise Candlish

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: From internationally bestselling author Louise Candlish, a witty psychological thriller where an older woman's suspicions about her charming new neighbor ignite a deadly spiral in their luxury apartment building

In Columbia Mansions, secrets don’t stay behind closed doors for long…
 
It's rare for a room to open up in London’s storied Columbia Mansions, and lonely Gwen is thrilled when an unexpected new subletter, Pixie, turns out to be a friendly breath of fresh air to its stuffy halls. Their unlikely cross-generational bond soon becomes the bright spot in Gwen’s quiet life.

But Gwen can’t help noticing cracks beneath Pixie's cheerful surface—especially when it comes to her questionable financial arrangement with her live-in landlord, Alec. As suspicions mount, Gwen’s protective instincts go into overdrive, triggering a dangerous chain of events no one is prepared for.

The last thing Columbia Mansions wants is a scandal on its hands...

Let alone a murder.

A Neighbor's Guide to Murder by Louise Candlish is expected out July 7, 2026 from Grand Central Publishing.

Why am I waiting on this book? It reminds me a little of Only Murders in the Building, but with fewer investigating characters. You've got a cross-generational friendship bond and a strong possibility of a murder. I like that the investigator is an older woman. And I am wondering about the dangerous chain of events that is triggered and no one is prepared for. It sounds like it will be an interesting novel.

What book are you waiting on? Share it in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our ever growing To Be Read lists. Thanks for coming by. Happy Reading!