Three Books:
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Quick Video)
The Girl Who Played with Fire (Quick Video)
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest (to be released in the US on May 25, 2010)
Warning:
I am absolutely crazy about these books. I can’t even pretend to be even a little bit unbiased.
Type:
Swedish mystery, adventure
About:
In the first book, we meet Blomkvist, our main character. He’s a journalist who loses a court battle over libel. He winds up agreeing to help an old man on an island with the mysterious disappearance of his niece that happened 30 years prior. Salander (she, with the dragon tattoo) is a computer hacking tough chick who is forced to endure some horrible stuff. She does not get a lot of “page” time, but she is a key and memorable character nonetheless.
In the second book, Blomkvist is working on an expose of the sex trafficking trade in Sweden. Salander seems to be guilty of multiple murders. Old and new crimes weave together in a complex mystery.
In the third book, Salander needs Blomkvist's help again. She is being accused of crimes and needs to prove her innocence. There are so many conspiracies and characters, it gets a little muddled, but it is the conclusion of one hell of a compelling series.
Why did I read it:
My mom lent me "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and said that I would like it. Oh yeah, she was right. First one was so good, I bought the second en route to my honeymoon in Paris and London. The third book was not out yet in the US, but I was dying to read it so much that my husband bought it online and had it imported here for me as a Christmas present.
Read it if :
-You love action, adventure and cool characters.
-You need a compelling mystery that will surprise you.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THESE BOOKS!
Don’t read it if:
-You are easily annoyed when an author is clearly describing himself as the main character. (Yes, it is a little gratuitous that the characters mention multiple times that Blomkvist is good in bed.)
-Too many characters and 100% believability is needed for you to enjoy a book
Cool:
A character shops at an Ikea in Sweden! For Ikea fans like me that was a neat “shout out” to the real deal.
Number of busy bees:
4.5 out of 5
Better Reviews:
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
New York Times
Amazon
The Times Online (UK)
The Girl Who Played with Fire
Washington Post
New York Times
The Guardian (UK)
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest
The Guardian (UK)
The Times Online (UK)
Speaking as the aforementioned husband, I have to admit that part of the reason for that Christmas gift was so I could read it, too :) I read nearly as much as Jill, but primarily fantasy fiction and the like. A contemporary novel has to be really compelling to hold my attention like the Millenium trilogy did, as I was literally up until 4am one morning to finish the second book. The series is excellent, and Larsson's untimely death is a real loss for fans of great storytelling everywhere.
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