The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Author: Stieg Larsson

Publisher: Quercus

Reviewer: Nthabisang Moreosele

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the first in a trilogy, is wonderful. The book has an unusual heroine, Lisbeth Salander, a loner with a rigid moral code forged on the streets and institutions where she grew up. This book is a means to investigate a decades-old murder mystery without a body.

This is shown against the privileged but unhappy early life of the murder victim. Salander hooks up with disgraced journalist Blomkvist, who is fooled into writing an industrialist's family history in return for an exposé of his nemesis.

Salander uses her computer skills to track down her adversary. Blomkvist trawls through the family's business and private life to piece together the events behind the murder. He makes a breakthrough while examining old family photographs.

The investigation uncovers a serial killer who died over 40 years ago but who still adds to his score.

This is an action-packed thriller. The writing is a fresh and welcome addition to the genre of murder thrillers. Highly recommended.