A Drop of Corruption

An Ana and Din Mystery (Shadow of the Leviathan, Book 2)

By: Robert Jackson Bennett

Narrated by: Andrew Fallaize

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The eccentric detective Ana Dolabra matches wits with a seemingly omniscient adversary in this brilliant fantasy-mystery from the author of The Tainted Cup.

“Wonderfully clever and compulsively readable . . . another winning blend of fantasy and classic detection.”—Publishers Weekly

In the canton of Yarrowdale, at the very edge of the Empire’s reach, a Treasury officer has disappeared into thin air—vanishing from a room within a heavily guarded tower, its door and windows locked from the inside.

To solve the case, the Empire calls on its most brilliant and mercurial detective, the great Ana Dolabra. At her side, as always, is her bemused assistant Dinios Kol.

Ana soon discovers that they are investigating not a disappearance but a murder—and one of surpassing cunning, carried out by an opponent who can pass through warded doors like a ghost.

Worse still, the killer may be targeting the high-security compound known as the Shroud, where the Empire harvests fallen titans for the volatile magic found in their blood. Should it fall, the Empire itself will grind to a halt, robbed of the magic that allows its wheels of power to turn.

Din has seen his superior solve impossible cases before. But as the death toll grows and their quarry predicts each of Ana’s moves with uncanny foresight, he fears that she has at last met an enemy she can’t defeat.

©2025 Robert Jackson Bennett (P)2025 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Utterly addictive . . . Great fantasy detective stories are too rare, but Bennett . . . more than delivers.”—The Washington Post

“A thoroughly satisfying delight from start to finish.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Superb . . . [Bennett] writes the kind of fun, propulsive work that kept my teenage self scouring the shelves for the next installment.”—Locus

Fabulous Fantasy and Intrigue

Love the characters and intricate plot! Can’t wait for another case to be solved. What a delight

Great Follow Up

An amazing follow up to the first book. slowly revealed so much about a fantasy system that has no comparison that I have found. A pertinent and well written afterword as well.

Damn that’s good

Another fantastic story, what more can I say. But this box says I must say more.

Incredible book with an even more incredible narrator

This series is so addicting with characters I wish were real and a mystery that keeps me on the edge of my seat and all narrated so well that this is the only audiobook I’ve read that feels immersive I will be listening to everything this narrators shoes from now on do yourself a favor and give this book a listen

Another plot twisting mystery!

Another hit in the Ana and Din series. A fascinating continued unfurling of this world of leviathans and mold and corruption and murder. Loved it!

Compelling story

It was a compelling mystery with wonderful characters. Ana and Din are a perfect sleuthing pair. The narration is enjoyable.

Phenomenal

The story is incredible and Robert Jackson Bennett is a poetic, thoughtful author. I could hardly put it down. My only note, and it is perhaps more a fault of mine: I hear "Arna" every time the narrator says "Ana"

Fantasy Sherlock Holmes

What a great story and structure! The fantasy Sherlock Holmes we didn’t know we needed.

Clever and twisting story

I really enjoyed this tale. The characters don't always make the best decisions, but they make sense for their portrayals. Ana and Din make excellent partners, and Din has become more confident in his role as investigator. His attempts to ride herd on his superior were amusing. I think the narrator was also very good and added to the story.

I love this series so much!!!

please write more. And very very soon. The narrator is so talented. I can't imagine the story without his masterful versions of Ana and Din.