Deceased Swedish novelist and anti-extremist expert, Stieg Larsson left a formidable legacy, having written the outstanding crime fiction novel, part of a trilogy, of modern times with a well plotted and paced
story line. A compelling crime fiction novel cleverly interweaving human stories and complex emotions as the vile secrets of the Swedish industrialist Vanger family and swindler Vennerstrom are finally exposed to the media.
Stockholm journalist Mikael Blomkvist quit Millenium magazine to serve three months imprisonment for libelling financial dealer Hans-Erik Vennerstrom. Blomkvist knows Vennerstrom is crooked. Erika Berger takes over Millenium. Henrik Vanger, retired CEO, Vanger Corporation, requested a timely meeting with Blomkvist which resulted in Blomkvist moving to Hedeby Island near Hedestad, central Sweden, for one year commencing January 2003 to research the disappearance of his niece, Harriet Vanger, in return for exposing Vennerstrom. Lisbeth Salander an exotic, inchoate, sociopath with a photographic memory accompanied Blomkvist as his quirky research assistant.
Swedes changed bed partners, with no emotional baggage, truly interweaving the story line in compelling complexities of plot and place. Blomkvist, the one steady and determined character, turned the taciturn Salander into an emotionally maturing character by the end of this fast moving thriller.
Harriet Vanger (16) disappeared in 1966 without a trace. Henrik Vanger her uncle provided the files and photographs required to find her. Salander scanned photographs and enhanced them with Photoshop, eventually determining who Harriet Vanger’s photographed image was looking at with such trepidation.
Blomkvist endured his ostracism by Hedeby residents with admirable stoicism while tactically avoiding target practice with a moose hunting rifle. A direct challenge to Martin Vanger found Blomkvist tied to a wall, in a hangman’s noose, in Martin Vanger’s basement. Martin admitted to killing two loose women per year since Harriet’s disappearance. Magda,32016; Sara,32109; RJ,30112; RL,32027 and Mari,32018 biblical Leviticus references described the cruel deaths of Vanger’s victims. Salander connected the biblical references and the incriminating photograph. Salander released a badly shaken Blomkvist.
Harriet was the target of her abusive brother and recruited her cousin, Cecilia, to spirit her away. A chance meeting with young Australian led to Harriet marrying into the Cochran enterprise of mining, farming and share trading. Salander hacked into Harriet’s cousin, Anita’s phone call to trace her location in Australia. Blomkvist completed his deal with Henrik Vanger when Harriet was reunited with Henrik. Martin Vanger’s murderous secret was not revealed.
Vennerstrom was fleeced by a disguised Salander who presented herself in Zurich replete with transfer fund codes and protocols to lift $260 million from his Cayman Islands accounts. Rough justice! Salander, saw patterns and understood abstract reasoning Blomkvist praised Salander highly.