The Lion’s Tusk
Robert Jackson Bennett
Ana solves a cold case
If I didn't care about being fair to fictional characters, I would say that Robert Jackson Bennett's Ana and Din mysteries are the latest in a long line of series that pair a genius with a doofus. The most famous such pairing is Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. I would also include Jeeves and Bertie Wooster, and (most relevant) Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. I call this unfair to characters because neither Watson nor Bertie nor Archie deserves the title of doofus -- they're all clever and capable in their diverse ways. (Also, Holmes is not a genius -- he is merely a doofus who has the author on his side.)
Now, the genius tends to get frustrated with what he (always he, except in the case of our Ana) sees as the lack of discernment displayed by the doofus telling his story. Thus we get a couple stories told from the point of view of Holmes and one told from the point of view of Jeeves. Wolfe, I believe, never made this particular mistake.
Because it IS a mistake. Those stories just don't work. The Voice of the Doofus (that sounds like the title of a mystery -- "The Case of the Doofus Voice") is essential to the stories and to making them work. I'm not claiming that this is a universal law, but only that it is one to which I have not found an exception.
And, alas, The Lion’s Tusk is not it. On a carriage ride through the sticks, where she has no access to a library Ana is bored and entertains herself (and harasses Din) by reciting the details of a murder that took place long ago, and solving it. It's an OK murder mystery, not great. It IS a good fit to the Empire of Khanum.
I will also echo the complaint of CC, who writes in a very brief review "that's not Ana's voice". No, it's not. Well-spotted, @CC.
This is a short story, 38 pages in kindle. if you are an Ana and Din completist, you're gonna read it, anyway. I recommend it for that audience.