A Drop of Corruption, by Robert Jackson Bennett, is not quite like any other book I’ve read: “cosy fantasy horror crime” is the closest I can come to describing the genre. If I hadn’t been reading for the Hugo awards, I would not have picked it up, but I’m very glad I did.
The novel begins as a whodunnit, with our protagonist Din investigating a murder on behalf of his outrageously talented (and sometimes just outrageous) boss Ana. The story takes place in Yarrow, a kingdom which is semi-independent from the empire for which the investigators work, and it gradually broadens out to make the social and political background one of the main themes, without losing track of the central plot.
The world-building is outstanding: this is the second in the series, but a new reader starting here learns enough about the empire and the characters to want to read the other instalments, without ever feeling lost.
Din’s local contact Malo is a particularly enjoyable companion, set between the two worlds of empire and Yarrow, and acting as an unobtrusive guide for both Din and the reader. The perils are exciting enough to involve, while mild enough not to be disturbing, and the touches of humour are well-judged.
I’ve already bought the first book in the series, and will be filling in the backstory of Din and Ana soon!
Thank you Del Rey Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.