The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

by: Stieg Larsson

Published by: Vintage Books (Random House)

Reviewed by Heather Durow

Mikael Blomkvist, journalist and co-owner of the magazine “Millennium,” has found himself in
a tight spot. He is on trial for libel against a big financier and, unfortunately, he has no defense. Granted, what he printed was the truth but he has no way of proving that fact so he quietly sits and accepts his punishment: three months in jail and a hefty fine. His best friend, sometime lover and, for all intents and purposes, boss, Erika Berger, is beside herself with what to do next to save the magazine and help Mikael at the same time.

Meanwhile, young private investigator and hacker, Lisbeth Salander, is hired to look into the background of one Mikael Blomkvist. The head of the Vanger Corporation has his sights set on hiring Mr. Blomkvist and wants to make sure he can be trusted. Henrik Vanger is nearing the end of his life and believes Mikael can help him solve a decades-old mystery that has consumed him, along with getting Mikael away from his less-than-agreeable situation for a while.

Blomkvist eventually agrees to Henrik’s terms and moves out to Hedeby Island, the home of most of the Vanger family, on the pretense that he is to ghostwrite Henrik’s autobiography. However, Vanger has a much more important mission for Mikael–find the killer of Harriet Vanger, Henrik’s great-niece, who disappeared without a trace in 1966 when she was just 16.

Mikael, with the eventual help of Lisbeth Salander, will be sucked into the strange and twisted lives of the Vanger family. With every step that brings him closer to solving the mystery, Mikael Blomkvist brings himself closer to being the next victim.

Although initially slow going, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is riveting with great depth of characters and thrilling suspense. A great mystery with a totally unexpected ending that had me gasping out loud. Not for anyone with a weak stomach, Larsson spins a fascinating tale that for a change doesn’t wrap everything up in a nice, little package.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a 5-star book and author to watch.

Author’s Web site: http://www.StiegLarsson.com