ABANDONED. Book series that is sort of fantasy/sort of a crime story with a female spy protagonist in a world where certain gods/religion is banned

[Ams]

Looking for details on a book series someone described to me. I tried several resources and haven't had any luck!

It sounds like a fantasy/crime solving story involving what was formerly Russia or a territory that is a fantasy representation of Russia (possibly called "The Continent" in this series?).

That Russian territory was defeated and their gods and religion were banned. Then India (or a fantasy territory like India) takes over.

In the midst of this, [SPOILERS AHEAD] a female main character from the India territory who is an undercover spy finds a friend is dead, and knows based on the circumstances that some kind of spy business is involved.

I know one of the other main characters is this spy's secretary (who is a Thor-like guy).

I'm so sorry if these details are sloppy -- someone who I don't personally know was talking about this and I overheard and I really wanna know what it is. Thank you!

[Kris]

City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett matches your description. This is the first book in the Divine Cities series.

Some reviewers say, "Set in an early industrial world where the two major nations are Bulikov (modeled loosely on Russia) and Saypur (modeled loosely on India), this story starts as a murder mystery and develops into a high fantasy of world-changing magic." | "The Continent was once protected by mighty gods..." | "...invented a way to kill the gods..."

[Christine]

This definitely sounds like City of Stairs.

[Kris]

No response, moving to Abandoned folder.

Ams (OP) was last active on the site in December 2019.