The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Stieg Larsson)

I just spent a weekend engrossed in this smart thriller. Once you start it's hard to put down. You'd never think a Scandinavian family saga in which you sometimes need to refer to family tree on the first page could be so entertaining, but that's what happens when you throw in a haunting decades-old mystery, open sexuality, and a good dose of leftist politics. Really fun and really sick at the same time. It's hard not to be interested in Larsson's characters, who are well rounded and interesting, the only exception being the mafioso billionaire in the background. Definitely check this one out.

IF YOU LIKE A MYSTERY BUY THIS BOOK If You Like Character Development Buy This Book. Mr. Stieg Larsson's debut novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is terrific. An intricate novel that combines a complex murder mystery with a dysfunctional family saga, a complicated person love story, intricate financial corporate intrigue, and an esoteric 50 year serial crime spree. Well written, Mr. Larsson's keeps the reader in absolute suspense from page one to the end of this amazing tale. In many ways this novel is a lot like an expanded and more complex Agatha Christie or Conan Doyle mystery. Mr. Larsson builds the mystery as he adds facet upon facet until a complex mosaic leaves the reader wondering where the author will go next? The good news is that Mr. Larsson does not disappoint as he weaves layer upon layer of suspense. The basic thesis involves a discredited reporter who is hired to investigate and find the strangely missing niece of a very rich Swedish businessman. From there ... Read more

I could not put this book down. It is well written and the twists and turns are abundant. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed every minute of this incredible book.

i read the reviews before i ordered the book . i couldnt wait to read it based on the high star ratings. i do not think the book was as good as everyone said it was. there was way to many people to keep track of and i found myself back tracking to see who was who . i liked the main characters , and found the relationship between the two of them interesting, but it was not a book that i looked forward to reading at the end of a day.

Eh, it was just okay. There are too many unrealistic thread and holes in the book. The book has two different storylines and only one of them is interesting, the disappearance of a character. I just could not get into the libel story-line - I just kept thinking, "So what? Get over yourself." I am amazed at the amount of publicity that this book has generated. As far as mysteries go, it's really just ho-hum.