Even in a world where magic exists, solving a murder mystery can still be quite a challenge. The Empire of Kanum is both threatened and supported by the leviathans, giant sea beasts who can cause vast devastation but whose corpses are a source of magical substances. An influential commander has been killed by one such substance, which caused treelike structures to grow out of his body. Ana Dolabra, a brilliant, eccentric, and agoraphobic detective, is assigned to investigate the case with the help of her new and anxious assistant, Dinios Kol. Din uses his magically enhanced powers of recall to create a perfect mental record of all the details of a crime scene and interviews with witnesses, while Ana uses her superlative analytic and intuitive skills to churn through the data. As they follow clues that lead toward a vast imperial conspiracy, Din hopes that Ana won’t turn her investigative powers on him and figure out that Din’s appointment to his new role was achieved under less than legitimate circumstances. While the book is a propulsive adventure story, complete with a delightfully quirky cast, sharp dialogue, and even a little romance, Bennett also weaves in perceptive commentary on environmentalism, bureaucracy, and corruption that will help you see your own world with new eyes.