The Murder Pool

by Stella Blómkvist, Quentin Bates (Translator)

Sometimes murder runs in the family. Or does it?

When a well-known artist is found in Snorri's Pool with an axe buried deep in his chest, Stella Blómkvist is immediately thrown in at the deep end, brought in to defend the apparently harmless young man the police have in their sights as the killer.

The man's mother had spent time prison, convicted of the killing of a personal trainer, despite her protestations of innocence. Stella can't help being drawn into both the cold case and this fresh murder, with a trail of guilt that stretches half-way around the world.

As if she doesn't have enough to keep her busy, Stella's pursuing a political high-flyer suspected of being a serial rapist, and defending a senior police officer on corruption charges that have all the hallmarks of a vendetta. But the toughest challenges Stella faces are among her own loved ones…

With a razor-sharp tongue and a moral compass all of her own, Stella Blómkvist has a talent for attracting trouble. Her trademark explosive mix of murder, intrigue and surprise has made this of Iceland's best-loved crime series.

'Stella is a force of nature' – Mark Sanderson, The Times

'I had never heard of Stella Blómkvist, but I guarantee I'll never forget her!' Christoffer Petersen

Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2026

About the author

Nobody knows who Stella Blómkvist is. More than ten years have passed since the publication of her (or his) first book, Morðið í stjórnarráðinu (The Murder in the Ministry), but nobody has ever uncovered the mystery of who is behind the pen name. Many possible names have been suggested as the identity of Stella, including Davíð Oddson, the former Prime Minister of Iceland. However, these theories are pure speculation.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series. Metafiction with a twist. Not only is the author, Stella Blómkvist, the star of her own series, but also Icelandic noir's best kept secret, their identity perhaps more speculated upon than that of The Secret Barrister. But whoever this most mysterious of authors is, they sure know how to spin a tale and how to keep their audience completely captivated. Tension, emotion, and perhaps the odd miscarriage of justice, The Murder Pool has it all and delivers it with the authors own razor sharp wit and wisdom.

In this latest instalment, we catch up with Stella just as a whole new raft of cases seem to land at her feet. First of all, there is there friend of her assistant, Lísa Björk, who is seeking help for a friend who claims to have been sexually assaulted by a senior political figure, an attack which the police have been quick to sweep under the carpet. Next there is a woman who claims to have been wrongly convicted of attempted murder, someone who Stella has been introduced to by her partner, Rannveig. It seems that history may be about to repeat itself as Stella soon finds herself being asked to represent the woman's son as he faces a possible charge of murder following the premature demise of a renowned local artist. Then there is the request for a favour from an old police contact who claims his friends and colleague is being set up on a case of corruption. A lot to be juggling, and enough to make anyone's head spin, without the bombshell that's about to drop into Stella's personal life.

As you can gather, it's a busy old story, but never in a way that feels confusing or cluttered. If anything, the various cases that Stella is working on allow her, and us readers, to take a few short breaks in what would otherwise be a breakneck kind of story. There is little let up for her on a professional front, with much of what she is investigating, or defending, leading back to various forms of corruption. Many of her old nemeses end up making an appearance in the story in one form or another, many names that I recognise from previous books who serve to either help or hinder her progress. And there are plenty of new faces to keep track of too, who we spend enough time with to get the measure of, and most of whom I never once felt could be trusted. It's that kind of book.

But the author makes them intriguing instead of just plain antagonistic, although some of what happens you would be forgiven for thinking had been ripped from the headlines of today, rather than a. number of years ago when this book would first have been set. It seems as though some themes, corruption, abuse of power, are eternal, and this release seems suspiciously timely at times. There are some dark themes in play here, but most if what we bear witness to is not unnecessarily gratuitous, with the exception of perhaps one scene in which the evidence of sexual assault is laid bear. It is not overly graphic, but there is no getting away from what happens, so bear this in mind if sensitive to such themes.

There is a real emotional heart to this story surrounding Stella, her partner Rannveig, and her daughter, Sóley Árdís. It is both touching, and heartbreaking to witness, but it allows a glimpse of Stella's softer side. She is a woman with a strong moral compass, sorely tested in a few cases this time around, but her family is important to her, and that connection, that love, is never more visible than in this book. I won't say too much, but these scenes are entirely relatable, and offer a few moments of quiet, albeit sad time, in amongst all of the madness of Stella's various cases.

The narrative in this story really flows and my thanks to Quentin Bates without whose translation we'd all be missing a real treat. With perfect pacing, a wonderful mix of characters, and tension which grips throughout, I powered through this book in just a single day. I'm fully invested in Stella's life, her various legal exploits, and appreciate her humour and sometimes cynical view on life. If you love a legal thriller with a twist, or are just a fan of great writing in translation, then give this series a go. You won't regret it.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a particularly gritty instalment of the Stella Blómkvist series, with some particularly unpleasant crimes for her to deal with. Matters are also complicated by some bad news at home, leaving Stella torn between her personal and professional responsibilities.

Fast-paced and quick-witted as always, this author brings us another great story, and I devoured it in just a few days! Credit must also go to the excellent translation by Quentin Bates.

Thanks to the author, Ewa Sherman, and Corylus Books for the eARC of this book.