“Blood is thicker than water,” the saying goes, but perhaps in the case of feisty Reykjavík lawyer Stella Blómkvist it should read “blood is thicker than whisky.”
Murder Tide, the third English translation penned by Stella -a pseudonym whose true identity still remains the biggest unsolved case – sees her eponymous central character juggle multiple cases, all washed down with more than a fair share of her favourite Jack Daniels.
Stella is something of a complex character: on the surface brash, bombastic, and a borderline bully. Her methods stray far from the usual law books, but her tenacity is exactly what you’d want in a lawyer on your side.
In Murder Tide we see Stella in full furious flow, drawn into multiple cases: a famous politician is found murdered, drowned by being tied to a pierhead – an event foreseen by a medium; a paternity case involving an equally well-known church minister; and the murky world of international drug smuggling.
Stella’s narrative is as fast and furious as her temper. We shift from case to case, confrontation to confrontation, with breakneck speed, matched only by Stella’s sharp tongue and quick wit. There’s no gory, blood-soaked detail here, as in some other Nordic Noir, but don’t let that fool you into thinking this is a tame read – Stella’s world is one full of sex, drugs, and even some faded rock and roll.
Murder Tide isn’t an easy read. The multiple threads, cases, and characters overlap in a blur. Stella herself is far from passive, and likewise this isn’t a novel to passively dip into; the brain needs to be actively engaged to keep up with the tightly woven plot.
It’s an effort, though, that is rewarded. There are enough plot twists to keep readers guessing and, as usual with Stella, vividly drawn characters.
The first-person narrative – akin to peeking into a no-holds-barred diary – also allows for plenty of dark, gallows humour. Stella doesn’t hold back on her views of clients, friends, or the establishment, and frequent quotes attributed to her mother deliver some wry smiles.
Quentin Bates’ translation keeps the pace tight and taut, letting Stella speak for herself. It’s probably a wise move, as it would take a brave man to try to put Stella in a corner.
Definitely not a read for family bedtime, but Murder Tide proves there’s still plenty to explore in the enigma that is Stella Blómkvist. With its razor-sharp humour, knotty plotting, and unapologetically provocative heroine, this is a novel best suited for readers who don’t mind being challenged – and rewarded – by a story that refuses to play it safe.
Murder Tide by Stella Blómkvist, translated by Quentin Bates, is published by Corylus Books.
Written by: Glen Pearce, Content Creator at Nordic Watchlist
