A review by etemp
A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett

3.75

it's difficult to put my finger on what changed from the first book to the second, but i think that part of the issue is how extremely high the first book set the bar. it's hard to write a sequel for a (imo) perfect novel because you either run the risk of writing a carbon-copy of what worked in the first book or the risk of changing too much about what people initially loved. in this case, obviously the holmes-and-watson vibes are still present with a new murder mystery plot, but subtle things have shifted since ana and din gained notoriety from the events of the first book: ana is getting inexplicably weirder and din is getting professionally handicapped by predatory debt collectors. 

it could also be that the b-plot focus in the first book on din's dyslexia made him and ana seem more vulnerable and human in ways that were lacking in this book. there was nothing comparable to replace that, so it felt like there was more distance between the narration and the audience than before. it was just all about the mystery this time.

it could also be that there was not enough continuity in the characters from book to book. like apparently now ana is
some sort of extra-human being
with cravings for gross food and odd hobbies? and din is constantly sleeping with strangers in his down time? okay?? but where was all that before?? just felt a little ret-con'd to me. in general, din does not spend a ton of narrative time on his own romantic or sexual relationships, so getting random details dropped in didn't really align much with his character. if there was a little bit more or a little bit less introspection, it would have made more sense.

and to end on a positive note, there were some really funny lines in this book, i just love RJB's style. it's the perfect mixture of haughty and accessible, murder mystery and comedy. i stilled loved it even though i didn't love it quite as much as the first one.
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