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Liked It4 of 6 members found this review helpful “This was a great mystery and reminded me of my favorite read from last year In The Woods by Tana French. Layered mystery with intriguing characters. Can't wait to read the other 2 in this series.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“After all the hype I found this a very disappointing read on many levels. Firstly, it seems to break all the commonly accepted rules for a crime thriller – far too much unnecessary detail, e.g. into Wannestrem deals, financial journalism in Sweden, computer programmes used, Swedish industry etc., along with a slow moving plot, e.g by page 224 it was still not a compelling story – there was no real “hook”, and too many characters (Vangers).
Rod Y wrote this review 33 minutes ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Secondly, I never really got excited about Harriet’s disappearance and the “locked room” scenario is rather contrived – major accident, children’s fete all on same day in a small town? If Harriet was murdered and if Hedsted was so small then the body and other clues would surely have been found, especially after such thorough searches, so murder is not a natural assumption.
In terms of characters, the only ones with any real depth are Blomkvist and Salander – natural enough I suppose, but surely Salander is just not a realistic character? With her personality disorder (aspergers?) how could she thrive and survive as a “super” agent and then get “emotional” about Blomkvist. Hacking is a nice option for but she also has to talk with and interview people and she doesn’t have the social skills to do this or win anyone’s confidence. But then I guess she is Larsson’s Jack Reacher (another contrived, exaggerated character who is much loved!).
I also found the prose rather staid in places, while often leading the reader by the nose – but maybe that is the translation, while there is definitely a personal crusade undertone where Larsson’s journalistic background is all too evident. Anyway, at the end of the day is a novel with so much detail about Sweden, a nice country but not first on the list for excitement, danger, etc., that interesting? Yes if the plot is tight and well written but frankly I don’t think this is the case. This book could be half as long and a much better read. A page turner it certainly isn’t. I can only assume its success is either due to people’s changing taste in crime thrillers and/or because of the author’s untimely death.
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“I loved this book after getting past the first part of details that lead up to the time where the story takes place. I'm dying to read the next book in the series.”
Juliet P wrote this review 12 hours ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This had a slow start and It was disorienting with the Swedish place names but turned out to be a great mystery story.”
Kay K wrote this review 16 hours ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Great book. Loved the story Larsson ablity to keep you hooked. It has all the elements of a mystery,thriller and love story all in one. Loved the setting in Sweden.”
asandh wrote this review 16 hours ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“a little slow at first but very gripping and surprising ending. I can't wait to read his next book! What fun”
Jean B wrote this review 19 hours ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I absolutely loved this book. It is a very intelligent, well written mystery. I ran out to buy the next book in the three series. I even paid the extra money for a hardback (which I never do). Wonderful, wonderful, book”
Teresa S wrote this review yesterday. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Loved it!”
Claudia S wrote this review yesterday. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Mystery set in Sweden. Took a while to get into but I enjoyed it.”
Marie B wrote this review yesterday. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“The book is a thriller on many levels: The story about the Vanger family itself, the journalist's crusade to redeem his reputation, Lisabeth's vendettas and development, and of course, the truth about what actually happened to the missing Vanger heiresss. This is a superb novel and impossible to put down.”
TERESA V wrote this review 2 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
