Review of 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
1st book in the 'Millennium' series

The journalist Mikael Blomkvist co-owner of the Millennium magazine has had a tough year. Seemingly set-up by a old friend, he published an expose into a powerful industrialist…and has been found guilty of libel. Amongst this an eccentric industrialist, Henrik Vanger, head of the Vanger Corporation offers some work to Mikael: While ostensibly working on a biography of the millionaire he is to investigate the mysterious disappearance of member of the family, as a child, decades earlier. Mikael journeys to the small town of Hedestad escaping from the media circus of the big city to begin his investigations into the mystery…Thrown into the mix is the unusual Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant investigator and computer hacker who brings her unique skills in helping resolve the mystery. Things are not always as they seem as Mikael will find out…

The first in the three Millennium books we first meet Blomkvist and Salander who are not exactly the most obvious of heroes, or investigators but it does work. The book is full of twists and turns if not exactly an action-thriller. I have to say the ending was slightly predictable but getting there is certainly surprising. Though some of the names, being Swedish, are a bit difficult to remember (did not try pronouncing them…) but, thankfully, it was not all that taxing. The characters are quite sympathetic and very well defined. They are not exactly saints by any means which makes it all that more believable.

Quite enjoyable. I am looking forward to the next two in the series.

Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”

Review Date: 2010-01-09


Genre: Crime/Mystery

Publisher: Quercus

Publication Date: 2008


Other reviewed books in the 'Millennium' series:

Other reviewed books by Stieg Larsson: