Murder at the Residence (2012)

Blomkvist’s writing is biting, hard-boiled noir in the Raymond Chandler tradition. Stella is author, narrator and guns-a-blazing leading femme fatale with the wry voice of Philip Marlowe and the same love for whiskey. Likewise, Stella would be at home in a Frank Miller graphic novel. She is every bit as bold and gutsy as a Sin City heroine, bar the gratuitous violence. Morally ambiguous, sexually adventurous, outspoken, cocky and undiplomatic, you’ll love this ‘foul-mouthed nymphomaniac who revels in the dregs of society’ and take pleasure in her ability to ruffle the feathers of those in power. ... Stella is the star – a breath of fresh air, albeit with a nippy bite. Also worth mentioning are the semi-philosophical one-liners attributed to Stella’s mother that often conclude chapters on a sardonic note; e.g.: ‘Feminine intuition is the smoke alarm of the soul, as Mother said.’ Let’s hope more chapters of Stella’s story are lined up for translation, and perhaps we’ll even meet the infamous ‘Mother’ one day.

The blend of political intrigue, seedy corruption and take-no-prisoners protagonist lead to a mix as potent as Blomkvist (the character)’s tipple of choice, Jack Daniels.