Prague's Newest SciFi Book Club (English-language)

Welcome Scifi Enthusiasts!

Our January 2026 Book Pick is "Tainted Cup".

Summary
A Holmes-and-Watson–style duo anchors this inventive fantasy mystery from Edgar-winning, Hugo-nominated author Robert Jackson Bennett.

In a grand Daretanan mansion, an imperial officer is found dead—apparently killed when a tree burst from his body. The case falls to Ana Dolabra, a brilliant, eccentric detective rumored to wear a blindfold and solve crimes without leaving her home. Her new assistant, Dinios Kol, magically altered for the job, is by turns baffled and exasperated by Ana’s methods. Yet as he witnesses her startling deductions, he recognizes her as the Empire’s greatest detective.

Together, they hunt a mastermind whose scheme threatens the realm, while Din struggles to keep his own secrets hidden from Ana’s piercing intellect. Blending sharp wit, rich world-building, and a fiendishly clever puzzle, The Tainted Cup offers a fresh twist on classic detective fiction.

Discussion Guide
After the holidays, we will follow up with a discussion guide to help attendees prepare for this future conversation.

Mindstock
If time allows, we can also briefly discuss the writer's journey and techno-thriller, Mindstock by author and co-host, Richard Yonck.