The Girl Who Played with Fire

by Stieg Larsson

CRIME

MACLEHOSE PRESS

08/01/09

Eagerly awaited, this second volume in Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy opens with Lisbeth Salander – hacker of genius and a dangerous loner – enjoying the fruits of her previous grand scam in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, in Stockholm, Blomkvist and two journalist friends are about to stir up trouble with the publication of a book exposing bigwigs involved in sex trafficking.

Suddenly, back home, Salander is implicated in a violent scenario and accused of a triple murder. She finds herself hunted overnight by the police, the media and some bizarre thugs. Only Blomkvist can help her, but to do so will require painstaking work to uncover some shocking revelations from her tormented past. Only then will they understand her present ordeal.

This superb thriller exceeds all expectations, with a clever, complex plot so utterly addictive that it should come with a warning about sleep deprivation and loss of interest in anything else. Salander was introduced in a tantalising way in the first volume; this time she takes centre-stage and proves to be an excellent heroine, unparalleled at dealing with all the surprises the plot unleashes.

With characters so finely drawn that they simply feel real, and fresh developments on every page, this well-translated second instalment will leave you begging for the third instantly!

Patti Huisse, Waterstone's Kensington

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