566 pages
English language
Published Sept. 10, 2010 by Alfred A. Knopf.
Lisbeth Salander—the heart of Larsson’s two previous novels—lies in critical condition, a bullet wound to her head, in the intensive care unit of a Swedish city hospital. She’s fighting for her life in more ways than one: if and when she recovers, she’ll be taken back to Stockholm to stand trial for three murders. With the help of her friend, journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she will not only have to prove her innocence, but also identify and denounce those in authority who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse and violence. And, on her own, she will plot revenge—against the man who tried to kill her, and the corrupt government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life.
Once upon a time, she was a victim. Now Salander is fighting back.
Great ending. Everything is finally tied up. It is a shame that the writer died after delivering the manuscripts. It was a great story with great characters I would have liked to know what else he would have written.
It felt like Larsson really hit his stride with this final volume, and what a pity we won't see any more from him. I enjoyed the first two books but this one took the whole thing up a notch with multiple characters, Byzantine shenanigans, and a chance for Larsson to display his deeply intimate knowledge of the more shadowy goings on of Swedish society.
Finishing off the Millennium series, the third volume, the Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest was a really enjoyable read. Larsson picks right up where he left off in book 2, and now the reader becomes aware of the wider plot for which the first two books have been setting up the furniture. The action is fast paced, and Larsson continues to provide sharp social commentary alongside a plot filled with creative characters. A very enjoyable read!
