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Steig Larsson
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Book
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Publisher | Quercus | ||
ISBN | 9781906694180 | ||
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Reviewer
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Ann
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Synopsis
Lisbeth Salander is a wanted woman. Two Millennium journalists about to expose the truth about the sex trade in Sweden are brutally murdered, and Salander's prints are on the weapon. Her history of unpredictable and vengeful behaviour makes her an official danger to society - but no-one can find her anywhere. Meanwhile, Mikael Blomkvist, editor-in-chief of Millennium, will not believe what he hears on the news. Knowing Salander to be fierce when fearful, he is desperate to get to her before she is cornered and alone. As he fits the pieces of the puzzle together, he comes up against some hardened criminals, including the chainsaw-wielding 'blond giant' - a fearsomely huge thug who can feel no pain. Digging deeper, Blomkvist also unearths some heart-wrenching facts about Salander's past life. Committed to psychiatric care aged 12, declared legally incompetent at 18, this is a messed-up young woman who is the product of an unjust and corrupt system. Yet Lisbeth is more avenging angel than helpless victim - descending on those that have hurt her with a righteous anger terrifying in its intensity and truly wonderful in its outcome.
Review
This is really good - not being an ardent fan of crime fiction, I approached it with some trepidation but was pleasantly surprised to find it totally engrossing.
The central character Lisbeth Salander is no conventional heroine - she's socially inept and uncaring, very intelligent, moral, amoral, violent, complex and fascinating. The initial chapters concentrate solely on how she sets up her life which illustrates these facets of her character. The pace picks up when Lisbeth is accused of three murders, and the hunt is on to find her, by friends, foes and police.
There are plot twist and turns, many convincing minor characters, plenty of gore and a satisfying stunning finale. Excellent dialogue and description, thoughtful and exciting.
I do wish that I had read The girl with the dragon tattoo, the first in the trilogy first - does that explain the twin sister ? - now I'll have to go and get it, and wait for the publication of the final part !
Such a shame that there will be no more from this author, and a garland of tributes to the translator.
For more info on Steig Larsson click here.
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