Review of: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, By: Steig Larsson

*Warning! Adult Book Ahead*

Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Author: Steig Larsson

Publisher: First Vintage Crime/Black Lizard, Division of Random House Inc.

Released: 2005 (original), 2008 (translation by Reg Keeland)

Summary: Mikael Blomkvist has just been convicted of libel for an article he wrote in his magazine the Millenium against a business man named Wennerstrom. He is fined and sentenced to 3 months in prison. Lisbeth Salander a hacker and employee at Milton Security is hired to do an investigation into the life of Blomkvist. Blomkvist is suitably depressed about his conviction when he is offered a job by Henrik Vanger. Blomkvist is tasked with solving the 40 year old mystery of the disappearance of 16 year old Harriet Vanger. The Vanger family is dysfunctional and suspect in the possible crime. After months of dead ends, Blomkvist discovers shocking new evidence and teams up with Lisbeth Salander, who knows everything about him but is very secretive about herself, to discover what really happened to Harriet Vanger. Along the way they uncover a killer, corporate greed, and danger around every corner, but the mystery must be solved.

My Thoughts: First and foremost, this book was a beast of a read! It clocks in at 600+ pages, but it is worth the read. This book is dark and gritty, filled with action and suspense with a mystery that keeps the reader guessing. This book was compelling and enjoyable. It brought up severe family dysfunction, corporate greed, and the moral line between good and bad.

I really liked the characters. Mikael Blomkvist was a good guy and likable, but it was Lisbeth Salander who really stole the show. Salander is such an enigma, I didn't know what made her tick. She could be violent, kind, and her worldview was different from anyone else's. Trying to figure out Salander is a compelling part of the story.

The mystery was also very good. It was shocking to find out what really happened to Harriet Vanger. There were numerous twists and turns.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and will continue on with the series (#2) The Girl who Played with Fire and (#3) The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.

I also loved the Swedish backdrop and details. I highly recommend this book, but be warned it's very adult and disturbing in some parts. Not for younger readers. Also the Swedish movie based on the book is very good, the actress who plays Lisbeth is awesome.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Dark, Gritty, Swedish!