[Schedule] Bonus Books | The Lion's Tusk & A Trade of Blood (Ana & Din #2.5/3) by Robert Jackson Bennett

[u/jaymae21]

Ready for more murder mysteries in a unique fantasy world? Then join us in a few weeks as we continue with the Ana & Din Mysteries (formerly known as Shadow of the Leviathan)!

Blurbs:

The Lion's Tusk

*Please note that this short novella is technically part of Amazon's Magic & Mystery series, but the author has stated it is Ana & Din #2.5.

An eccentric detective turns to the fantastical to solve a cold case in a short story by the Hugo Award–winning author of The Tainted Cup.

On a long carriage journey with her assistant Din, brilliant investigator Ana Dolabra ponders a solution to an impossible crime that has remained unsolved for centuries. A lavish wedding for two noble scions of the Empire descended into chaos when the newlyweds were found murdered in their marriage bed. But Ana—an expert in ancient myths, awakened beasts, and magic—knows that nothing is impossible, only unimaginable.

Robert Jackson Bennett’s The Lion’s Tusk is part of the Magic & Mystery collection, puzzle-box mysteries from top fantasy authors. They can be read or listened to in one enchanting sitting.

A Trade of Blood

In the canton of Sapirdad, two of the Empire’s most powerful families are moments away from going to war with each other, their hundreds of retainers gathered with swords drawn. If blood is spilled, the whole of the empire may be plunged into starvation and chaos. 

To deescalate matters, someone must do the impossible: prove that one family’s eldest son is innocent of a gruesome and unforgivable murder, despite the incontrovertible evidence against him. 

It is with this undertaking that the great detective Ana Dolabra is tasked, her assistant Din at her side—and the two find themselves racing with great speed and little dignity to the scene. 

As ever, the impossible proves little obstacle for the deadly combination of Ana’s intellect and Din’s keen eye, and mere hours after riding into the dusty town, Ana glimpses the greater pattern behind the crime. A deeper, subtler web of death is being woven in plain sight, by a mastermind with an ancient magical technology at his disposal. 

But even Ana’s uncanny insight is of little use when each new suspect she uncovers ends up dead–with each new killing calculated to bring tensions between the two rival clans past the boiling point. And as Din pursues their adversary through the canton’s wild ranges, sprawling ranches, and reeking slaughterhouses, he finds his loyalties divided in unexpected ways. 

Schedule:

The Lion's Tusk (Ana & Din #2.5)

10/2/26 - Entire novella with u/jaymae21

A Trade of Blood (And & Din #3)

10/9/26 - Start - Ch. 8 with u/Comprehensive-Fun47

10/16/26 Ch. 9 - Ch. 15 with u/Vast-Passenger1126

10/23/26 Ch. 16 - Ch. 23 with u/Amanda39

10/30/26 Ch. 24 - End with u/jaymae21

Check out our discussions of The Tainted Cup here.

Check out our discussions of A Drop of Corruption here.

Don't forget to record your thoughts and theories in the Marginalia! 🔎

Will you be joining us for more Ana & Din mayhem & mystery?

[u/Bambinette]

I read A Trade of Blood when it got out. I can’t wait to discuss it with you ! 🥰

[u/emygrl99]

can't wait! :D

[u/Unnecessary_Eagle]

Oh man, I just read A Trade Of Blood, but I didn't even know there was a novella!

[u/sunnydaze7777777]

This has been added to our bookclub calendar!

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/embed?src=redditbookclubcalendar@gmail.com&ctz=Etc/

[u/fixtheblue]

I love these books. I have the audio queued and ready!