Stieg Larsson’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Millennium Series

Stieg Larsson’s books, which were published after we passed away would be the point of this post. Sadly, he wasn’t able to see the books sold to its success. At the end of this article, I give my insight into the books and how it changed my view about crime fiction novels.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Published: 2005

Synopsis:

Harriet Vanger, a scion of one of Sweden’s wealthiest families, disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap in a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.

The Girl who Played with Fire

Published: 2006
Synopsis:
Crusading publisher Mikael Blomkvist has decided to run an explosive expose of a wide-ranging sex trafficking operation. Just before the piece is published, two people are murdered. The fingerprints on the murder weapon belong to his friend, the troubled hacker genius Lisbeth Salander. Blomkvist, convinced of Salander’s innocence, plunges into an investigation. Meanwhile, Lisbeth herself is drawn into a murderous game of cat and mouse and is forced to face her dark past.

The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest

Published: 2007
Synopsis:
Once upon a time, she was a victim. Now Lisbeth Salander is fighting back. As she lies in critical condition in a Swedish hospital, Lisbeth is fighting for her life in more ways than one. If and when she recovers, she’ll stand trial for three murders. With the help of Mikael Blomkvist, she’ll need to identify those in authority who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse and violence. And, on her own, she’ll seek revenge – against the man who tried to kill her and against the corrupt government institution that nearly destroyed her life.

The Author

Stieg Larsson, who lived in Sweden, was the editor in chief of the magazine Expo and a leading expert on antidemocratic, right-wing extremist, and Nazi organizations. He died in 2004, shortly after delivering the manuscripts for The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo, The Girl who Played with Fire, and The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest.

Praises for Stieg Larsson’s Trilogy

“Exceptional ….. Meticulously plotted, beautifully paced.” – The Boston Globe

“Compelling … Combine the chilly Swedish backdrop and moody psychodrama of a Bergman movie with the grisly pyrotechnics of a serial killer thriller, then add angry punk heroine and down-on-his-luck investigative journalist, and you have the ingredients of Stieg Larsson’s first novel.” – Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

“Lisbeth Salander [is] one of the most startling, engaging heroines in recent memory.” – USA Today

“Lisbeth Salander could be the female Jason Bourne…It’s an intelligent, fascinating story that draws readers in, and keeps them turning the page.” – Associated Press

“Fully lives up to the excellence of the previous two and…bring the saga to a satisfactory conclusion…A modern masterpiece.” – The Washington Post Book World

“Satisfying .. [Lisbeth Salander] bursts off the page, a vibrant, forcefully ‘real’ character.” – The Plain Dealer

jenamaen’s Insight

This Trilogy had been the first crime fiction that I have read for a long time. Since I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while, having seen it done in a movie and such, I decided to give it a go. And boy, how these books literally took my breath and time away!

I was initially intrigued by the author’s story. I don’t know what it must be like for him and his family. But losing your life before seeing your book actually published and make it to a bestseller list, is just so sad and disheartening.

But what gripped me the most was the synopsis. JUST READ!

The reason why I posted these three books at the same time is the fact that I actually sat and spent most of my hours trying to finish them in one seating. Well, it actually took days, but you know what I mean. I couldn’t put them down! I had to finish them to get to the end of the story. This is one of those trilogies that have no boring parts whatsoever, in my humble opinion.

Let’s just say, Lisbeth Salander used to be my dream girl. A hacker with exceptional intelligence that, even though socially and psychologically different, thrives and functions logically under pressure. Everything might be going wrong around her, but she’s secure in her own world and perfectly satisfied and confident with who she is. Yes – the nerdy type. Connected uncannily with a writer, what else can this girl ask for?

Originally, published in Swedish, this series was translated by Reg Keeland into English and since then has reached number one on the New York Times Bestseller List. The synopsis itself will get you hooked, and once you start reading it, you will never want to put it down until the end.

Aside from the fact that the plot and story of these books are gripping and exciting as they are, the Swedish government and Nazi organizations piqued my interest too. This trilogy sparked my interest in the modern crime fiction genre.

I may be a little too late at the craze, but I think these are definitely worth the time and effort. I totally agree with the praises authors and publishers gave about this trilogy.

jenamaen’s Rating: 10/10

Do you know of any other crime fiction that would come on par with this book? Share it in the comment section below so I could read them too!