The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest

I’ve noticed that Stieg Larsson’s novels are currently all the rage. Yet, I actually met someone yesterday who had never heard of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. If you also have never heard of the story of Lisbeth Salander, I urge you to give this series a chance.

I first read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in 2008, before the book was published in the U.S. I loved it. When The Girl Who Played with Fire was released, I immediately bought it and devoured it. And finally, when The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest was released this year, I bought it. But, I didn’t read it right away.

I decided the only way to do the series justice was to read all three consecutively. I admit, it took me over a month to read all three, due to spending time on other obligations. Yet, I’m very glad I gave the books a chance to read as a series.

Tattoo is an exciting read. It introduces the world to Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander, two very different characters who embark on a life-changing investigation together. They spend months searching for the truth behind a woman’s disappearance, only to find that the truth is worse than anyone could have imagined.

Fire brings the main characters to the forefront with a new mystery to solve. Yet, this mystery directly involves Salander. As her haunting past catches up to her, she attempts to expose the truth once and for all. This novel ends with a cliffhanger leading the reader directly to the next novel.

Hornet’s Nest brings a variety of characters together in the interest of one person—Lisbeth Salander. Unfortunately, not everyone has her best interests in mind. While some look for the truth, others risk their lives to cover it up. Halfway through the novel, the meaning of the title becomes very clear.

Throughout all three novels, the relationship between Blomkvist and Salander fluctuates between love and hate—at least in Salander’s view. Yet, what never changes is the loyalty they show each other. They each risk their lives for the other, and they keep each other’s secrets as though they were locked away in a vault.

I highly recommend this series as a whole to anyone who likes to read mystery, suspense, and crime novels. You will not be sorry.

My Ratings:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: A

The Girl Who Played with Fire: A

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest: A-