Welcome to Litsy!

Interesting fantasy murder premise, killed by tree erupting from a body! The first half is a little slow, but once I got invested in the mystery and characters I really enjoyed this. I loved Din's romance with Strovey but wished it had more page time. But I loved the plot and its twists, the unique world-building, and Ana and Din as a Sherlock and Holmes team. If you're looking for a smart queernormative fantasy mystery, this is a great choice!

It turns out one of my favourite crossover genres is mystery-fantasy. (Although maybe this is mystery-scifi? There is no magic but the tech is all plant based)
Anyhow! Everything i love in a mystery with a Holmes style detective plus a strange new world with unusual tech. Our protagonist is Kol, he‘s the level headed Watson to Ana, the temperamental investigator. Ana wears a blindfold and usually stays indoors, to better focus, ⬇️

My #aardvarkbookclub books are finally here!

Book 2 is out on the 1st of April, so I decided to do a re-read to have it all fresh in my head. Still holds up second time round. Absolute pure enjoyment.

THIS. WAS. AMAZING. I loved loved loved this fantasy mystery so much, and I‘m excited for the second in the series! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A masterwork in fantasy world building. This isn‘t my usual fare, and expected myself to be overwhelmed but it worked seamlessly and with an intertwining murder mystery. 5 ⭐️

2025 Reads started...
CBTB - Good Xmas read
TCJM - loved the eldery character and thought this was better than her previous novel
TTC- fantastic fantasy crime genre mash up. Interesting world, plot, and wonderful memorable characters
IAPOD - good black houmor crime novel. Just a little too long

This fantasy murder mystery gets the Rae stamp of approval!

Din and Ana are great characters and this book works as both a mystery and fantasy read.

Fungalpunk detective noir!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Billed as sci-fi Holmes & Watson & it hit that mark. That silly spellings & months were unnecessary, but it was an entertaining story, if not a big stand out for me. I‘ll try the next one because I think these characters do have potential.

Thank you, @Nazgul93 ! I‘m so looking forward to this book. And the Lindt bears look adorable and yummy. I‘m diving in to the cocoa right now! Happy reading and chocolate to all and to all a good night! #JolabokaflodSwap

Thank you @MaleficentBookDragon for organizing!

This is the murder mystery set in a fantasy world replete with magic, leviathans, contraptions, augmented humans, & dark secrets that you didn‘t know you needed. Fascinating world building & a new favorite character who is a cross between Sherlock Holmes/a foul mouthed sailer/& a grandmother. Seriously. Together with her assistant they stumble on a murder when an official dies after a tree erupts from his chest…great read. Can‘t wait for the next!

#Two4Tuesday

1. I‘m a morning person who loves waking up with the sun, if not earlier, so it‘s sunrises for me.

2. Murder, vegetation, leviathans

@TheSpineView

Sneaking in a little reading while dinner is in the oven…

Obsessed!! So freaking good. Sherlockian vibes, zero romance. 💯

This was a solid unique fantasy with a strong mystery plot. I enjoyed the world building especially. It was a little slow to start, but as the mystery unraveled it became more and more entertaining. I look forward to more of this new series! 4⭐️

Really good reinterpretation of Sherlock Holmes and Watson. The fantasy world was interesting and immersive and I look forward to the next adventure in the series. I particularly enjoyed that the Watson character is more active and interesting with powerful abilities and a keen intellect. I always disliked how slow and unhelpful the original Watson was in relation to Holmes.

OMG! thank you Aletheia for a party in a box! So much yumminess, self care, and great BOOKS! I love all of it and your card made me tear up! 😘😘😘😘😘😘

The first book by this author that I‘ve read and I enjoyed it thoroughly; I‘ve got to go back and read his earlier series! A great mystery set in an imperial wold that is exquisitely drawn. Gentry, officers, and 10 engineers have been killed by a terrible contagion, and just when they are needed most to defeat an encroaching Leviathan. Ana and her assistant, Dinios are tasked with finding who is responsible. A great fantasy and exciting read.

78/150 Its been awhile since I've enjoyed a fantasy mystery as much as this one. Din and Ana definitely have a Holmes & Watson vibe going, although Ana seems more annoying and prickly than Sherlock could ever be. Din was the character that kept me reading, his struggle with his abilities, discovering new abilities he didn't know about, and learning his place in the hierarchy of the Empire. I know a sequel is coming early next year,

A horrible murder is discovered and Din must go investigate and then report back to his superior, Ana. They discover it is only one of a series of violent deaths. It is a world with helpful and dangerous plants, peopled by individuals enhanced in ways to better do their work, protecting the empire from leviathans from the sea. Rushing to discover the truth, Ana and Din forge a strong partnership. Solid characters and an interesting world merit 3⭐️

⭐️⭐️⭐️

It took me a moment to wrap my head around this intricate high fantasy world. I certainly admire how creative and unique it is, and I did enjoy the Holmes and Watson dynamic between Din and Ana, but I think a lot of other readers will enjoy this more than I personally did. I didn‘t feel a strong emotional attachment; it feels like a story that feeds the brain more than it captures the heart. #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub

This was a good Sherlockian steampunk fantasy.
Din is an engraver magically altered to memorize everything in a crime scene so he can report back to Ana, a brilliant investigator who refuses to go outside and often wears a blindfold. The two are sent to a mansion in Daretana to solve the murder of a dead officer.
My main complaint is that you are tossed into a new world, and getting used to it can be jarring.
#Aardvark

Yup, give me all of these RJB can write. A fantasy-mystery, this combines two of my favourite genres. But it is way more about the fantasy world and the characters than it is about the mystery. The mystery chugs away doing it's job but the fantasy world is spectacular and the character unique and engaging. I would highly recommend it for fans of Martha Wells Raksura books and Katherine Addison Speaker for the Dead books. Easy 5 stars.

This fantasy mystery was absolutely fabulous. I loved everything about it - setting, characters, magic system, and the mystery itself. I especially loved the dynamic between our main character, Din, and his boss, Ana. Lots of lovely sarcasm with obvious respect. Can't wait for the next book!

At the beginning I wasn‘t convinced I‘d like this, but then for the last two thirds I was really captivated by the plot and stayed up late to find out what happened. I think that‘s mostly on account of liking detective mysteries, though - because I still don‘t feel sold on the fantasy elements of the world building and how they were integrated into the narrative. But an enjoyable read overall!

Starting this fantasy mystery today. #aardvarkbookclub

This is a great mix of fantasy and murder mystery. I'll definitely read the next book in the series.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Next up! #TheTaintedCup#RobertJackson#Bennett#BeautifulCoverArt

A Holmesian mystery set in a vivid fantasy world. I was more invested in the mystery than the characters, and still didn‘t guess whodunit.

#unpopularopinion

I was curious about the new trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett, but even though the basic idea of this world is fascinating, it didn't work for me. It all lacks depth and atmosphere. The characters as well as the world building. Most of the characters were solely names to me and I forgot about them as soon as they left the scene. I wasn't as invested in the case as I'd hoped I'd be. But I'll give it a second chance anyway.

I don't usually read fantasy, but did enjoy this one. I enjoyed the mystery in it. I liked Ana's Holmes to Kol's Watson.

#bookspinbingo #marvellousmarch Readathon #readaway2024

This was such an intriguing mix of murder mystery, eco terrorism and VanderMeer-esque ecological anomalies. Plus beasts! Basically I‘m here to say it had it all and I loved every minute. Hope there is a book 2 so we get to see how Ana and Dinios‘ partnership flourishes.
Book 9 of 2024. #Aardvark #ARC

3/5 ⭐
Uhh..I sat with this book for a few days before I reviewed it. Overall I liked it..it just wasn't my usual type of book. When I heard that there was a fantasy murder mystery with Sherlock vibes I was sold!
In my opinion this focuses a ton on politics and is more sci-fi than fantasy. Din and Ana, the two MCs held this together for me. I adored them both and would read another book in this weird world just for them.

Book no.12
It was fast, action-filled, and full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The dialogue is fast-paced, well-written, and witty. I was in love with the first-person POV of Din, the "Watson" to Ana, the "Holmes" if you will of this mystery thriller, they have such an interesting dynamic, which I loved as he's her apprentice. I can't get over how much I loved reading about her from his pov.

Making progress on the tagged book and my sweater! 🧶

This book was absolutely bloody brilliant. Thank you @AardvarkBookClub for picking a book from one of my favorite authors! ♥️
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Also, here‘s my #botm #bookofthemonth selection … and getting ready to read St Patty‘s Murder for #SeasonalCozies 🍀🔪🩸

Having an early night in with a wonderfully weird book that I cannot seem to put down!
😌
Where has this fantasy murder mystery been my whole life?
🌱🌱🌱

This is a murder mystery set in a fantasy world. The world building was interesting and complex. The plot moved quickly and had a Holmes and Watson vibe. The dialog was snarky and funny at times between the main characters and I found myself chuckling a couple of times. Looking forward to book 2.

#SeriesLove2024 @Andrew65
#LitsyLove #LitsyLoveReads @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Did I accidentally rejoin @AardvarkBookClub ?
Mayyyybbbeeee 😏

Was I tempted with the tagged book?
Possiblyyy 👀

whoops.
🙃

The Tainted Cup might be calling your name if...

🏆 you break escape room records on the regular
🪴 you are capable of actually keeping houseplants alive
📐 you value hierarchy, order and duty
🧠 you have a photographic memory
🕵️‍♀️ your dream party is a murder mystery dinner
⚖️ your favourite branch is judicial
📺 you were devastated when “Sherlock” ended

#aardvarkbookclub #bookbox #booksubscription #thetaintedcup #fantasy #mystery

Fantasy Holmes and Watson duo trying to solve the really weird, possible, murder of an engineer. Which doesn't only lead the duo of apprentice assistant Din and investigator Ana to the next big city over, but also closer to more murdered people and danger due to the closeness to the empire's walls. Behind the walls the sea and the deadly leviathans are waiting.

⬇️

#NetGalley #ARC #MountARC

Pub Day: 06 February 2024

Bennett kicks off a new, epic fantasy series with a murder mystery twist. Kol is assigned to assist head investigator Ana. The book kicks off with their first murder— a case that takes them from a small town to the edge of the Empire where huge monsters from the sea threaten the lives of everyone as the body count rises and the plot becomes more complex. Great characters and rich world building leaves me eager for the next installment! I loved it!

Now Available! 🥳🎉📚
The Tainted Cup- Robert Jackson Bennett

Book review- https://www.boleybooks.com//the-tainted-cup/

#boleybooks #thetaintedcup #robertjacksonbennett #bookbeast #NetGalley #bookbuds

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballentine Publishing for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
New release! This book is a mystery/fantasy combo. It took me a bit to get into it, but once I did, it was hard to put down.
The initial murder sets off a chain reaction with horrific unintended consequences. Even though the murders may be solved, what they set in motion may be impossible to stop. #NetGalley

I forgot to post which #aardvarkbookclub book I picked for February. But that's OK because it was already delivered and I can post the actual book! Love the Aardvark logo placement.

A Holmes and Watson–style detective duo take the stage in this fantasy with a mystery twist, from the Edgar-winning, multiple Hugo-nominated Robert Jackson Bennett.

#aardvarkbookclub #jointoday

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

Started the tagged eARC earlier. It has a very interesting first chapter with the weirdest dead body found I've read about in some time. But I have an easily distracted brain, so one teeny tiny visit to Litsy and then Audible/Library/my shelves and I'm reading a gazillion different books at the same time.

#ARC #MountARC #NetGalley

February is a 6 book month for #aardvark and #botm club boxes. Can‘t wait to read these! Aardvark continues to really impress me with their selections. If anyone is on the fence to join all I can say is I don‘t think you‘d be disappointed!

This is the first in a detective mystery/fantasy billed as having a Holmes/Watson feel. While I was not bowled over, it was a decent read for me. I was a bit overwhelmed getting into the world-building and keeping some of the terms straight, and there were definitely some slow spots, but I enjoyed the dynamic between the young investigator Kol and his seasoned but eccentric boss Ana. Lots of dry and tongue-in-cheek humor, but I could have 🔽

Tackle the TBR 🤓📚
What are you reading?
#boleybooks #thetaintedcup #robertjacksonbennett #bookbeast #netgalley #bookbuds #bookchat