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Series Review
Payback is a Bitch
A disgraced journalist, Mikael Blomkvist, and an anti-social waif, Lisbeth Salander, team up to fight the powers of darkness in this rip-roaring, three volume tale of payback and revenge. Salander, aka “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” is one of the all-time great underdogs. Set in Sweden
Sizzling international bestsellers. Pop storytelling at its absolute best.
This is pop storytelling at its absolute best. I rooted for Salander every step of the way and couldn't wait to see what she was going to do next. I felt personally vindicated by each and every one of her triumphs. Not for nothing did these thrillers rule the international bestseller lists for several years.
Series Guide
You must read these in order. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo ( #1) includes a traditional mystery, so mystery fans may want to stop there. Books #2 and #3 are straight-up thrillers.
Book Summaries
Below, the books in chronological order.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2008, Millennium Trilogy Thrillers #1)
One of Sweden's leading families is hiding dark, dark secrets.The Girl Who Played with Fire (2009, Millennium Trilogy Thrillers #2)
Salander is on the run, accused of murder.(2010, Millennium Trilogy Thrillers #3)
Salander's revenge is a sweet, sweet thing.Meet Lisbeth Salander
Salander has mad skills. She can hack, whack, track and stack the deck against the bad guys. She's also tough: she has survived some very bad things. And learned the importance of payback.
Salander is good with tools--computers, stun guns and motorcycles are three favorites although she can make good use of whatever is to hand--and has an astonishing ability to bear physical pain. Not for nothing is she called "a female Jason Bourne."
People underestimate her because she's small, female and dresses like she's been up for days at a punk rock slam jam. She is also demonstrably anti-social: she doesn't talk much, or even really make eye contact. And she had the world's worst childhood, which she refuses to talk about. But people who can overcome their prejudices and see her more clearly, quickly realize that she has a formidable intelligence, an indomitable spirit and a serious talent for revenge.
Book Reviews
The Millennium Trilogy
(From newest to oldest; Dates refer to publication in the US in English;
# refers to series order)
Above, from top to bottom:
Guard at Royal Palace, Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm street in snow; Reindeer and snowmobile
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2008, Millennium Trilogy Thrillers #1)
by Stieg Larsson
Translated into English by Reg Keeland
WINNER! 2009 Barry Award for Best British Crime Novel
GLOBAL BESTSELLER
Dark and daring. Not for nothing is this an international bestseller. Salander is a fabulously original character and the suspense is non-stop in this cold case investigation that takes us under the surface of the smiling Swedish state and into dark places ruled by well-protected and demonically depraved predators.
(Bestsellers. Noir aka Hardboiled. Private Investigators. Female Hero. Set in Sweden.)
(2009, Millennium Trilogy Thrillers #2)
by Stieg Larsson
Translated into English by Reg Keeland
WINNER! 2006 Best Swedish Crime Novel Award
GLOBAL BESTSELLER
Loved it. Pure high-octane thriller starring the inimitable, admirable, unstoppable Lisbeth Salander, now accused of murder and on the run, helped out by Blomkvist and the gang at Millennium magazine. (Those who appreciated the first book for its traditional mystery won't find the same here.)
(Bestsellers. Noir aka Hardboiled. Private Investigators. Female Hero. Set in Sweden.)
(2010, Millennium Trilogy Thrillers #3)
by Stieg Larsson
Translated into English by Reg Keeland
WINNER! 2006 Best Swedish Crime Novel Award
GLOBAL BESTSELLER
In this explosive conclusion to the trilogy, Salander turns the tables on her tormentors in a thrilling story that kept me reading long into the night.
(Bestsellers. Noir aka Hardboiled. Private Investigators. Female Hero. Set in Sweden.)
Video adaptations of this series:
- Movie: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (US, 2011)
- Movie: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Swedish with English subtitles, 2009)
- Movie: The Girl Who Played with Fire (Swedish with English subtitles, 2009)
- Movie: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (Swedish with English subtitles, 2009)
Other mystery book series set in Sweden:
- Chief Inspector Erik Winter Mysteries by Ake Edwardson
- Rebecka Martinsson Mystery Books by Åsa Larsson
- Kurt Wallander Mystery Books by Henning Mankell
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