The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
Published by Knopf
Publication Date June 28, 2009
Source: Bought
Genres: Thriller
Goodreads
Mikael Blomkvist, crusading journalist and publisher of the magazine Millennium, has decided to run a story that will expose an extensive sex trafficking operation between Eastern Europe and Sweden, implicating well-known and highly placed members of Swedish society, business, and government.
But he has no idea just how explosive the story will be until, on the eve of publication, the two investigating reporters are murdered. And even more shocking for Blomkvist: the fingerprints found on the murder weapon belong to Lisbeth Salander—the troubled, wise-beyond-her-years genius hacker who came to his aid in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and who now becomes the focus and fierce heart of The Girl Who Played with Fire.
As Blomkvist, alone in his belief in Salander’s innocence, plunges into an investigation of the slayings, Salander herself is drawn into a murderous hunt in which she is the prey, and which compels her to revisit her dark past in an effort to settle with it once and for all.
I was still on the edge of my seat while reading The Girl Who Played With Fire I did find some of the plot to be rather tangled and the link between Bjurman and the sex trade to be rather poor and took me some time to completely understand it as it wasn’t written in black and white.
Lisbeth Salander really makes these novels for me. She is such a strong character and is what one might picture a grown-up Pippi Longstockings to be, a little cooky and plays by her own rules. Throughout the book we learn more of Salander’s past shaping her “talk to the hand” attitude and that she herself is a victim of circumstance and has a vulnerable side to her too.
I actually thought the ending had a Star Wars “Luke I am your Father” aura to it. Putting aside the Star Wars comparison I hardly moved for the last 150 pages of the book. I was sucked in, unable to do anything else until I learned of Lisbeth Salander’s fate. Amazing.
I never thought of the ending as having the "Star Wars" traits but you are absolutely right!! Spot on! Thanks for sharing that thought!
Thanks, I was reminded of Han Solo being frozen alive as well. I think that was in The Empire Strikes Back.
i have heard so much about these books but never a star wars element! i think i have to read them!
Wondering about Lisbeth's fate is what propels me onward.
Priya– I wouldn't expect the Millennium Falcon, but there's a relationship that is a little reminiscent of star war.
Bybee– Salander certainly makes the novels. Her odd past keeps it interesting.
One of these days I am going to read this series. I have the first book on my TBR pile, but just haven't got around to it yet.