The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Stieg Larsson 1954-2004) - Vintage Books - 2008 - 590 pages

Am I the last person in the western world to read this book?  My copy of the paperback is part of the 53rd printing.  The book is still number one on the New York Times paperback bestseller list.  The second book of the series (The Girl Who Played With Fire) is #2 on the paperback list.  And, the final book (The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets' Nest) is currently #1or #2 on the hardback lists.  Unfortunately, author Larsson died before he could enjoy the success of his writings.  The lead character (Mikael Blomkvist) is a magazine editor and amateur detective who is apparently irresistible to women.  The title character (Lisbeth Salander) is an anti-social misfit whose talents are useful if she doesn't hate you.  Together they are a formidable detective team that pursues the mystery of the disappearance of Mikael's childhood babysitter (Harriet Vanger), and a few things on the side.  The characters are well-drawn and the plot is clever although some situations are contrived and coincidences are around every corner.  Personally, I had to just suspend belief and go with the fiction.  Mystery/detective fans have discovered the "Millennium Trilogy" and Mr. Larsson's heirs can live comfortably for many years. [JAM 10/9/2010]