The Girl Who Played with Fire [Kindle Edition]

Stieg Larsson gleaned a remarkable degree of success before his too-early death in 2004. He had delivered to his publisher three remarkable crime novels; the initial book in his ‘Millennium’ sequence, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, had enjoyed an unprecedented success in his native Sweden before the translation took the UK by storm. Larsson had made a considerable mark as a crusading journalist, with a speciality in tackling political extremist groups. But he offered assistance to many people and groups who he felt were vulnerable – something of a modern hero, in fact.

One of Larsson's key achievements as a writer was to create an innovative kind of heroine for the crime novel. His unconventional sleuth, the highly intelligent computer hacker Lisbeth Salander, is a confrontational young woman, whose Goth accoutrements sometimes alienate those around her (except the individuals she opts to have sexual relations with – strictly, that is, according to the rules she lays down). In the second book in the Millennium sequence, The Girl Who Played with Fire (as in its its predecessor), Lisbeth's closest ally is the older journalist Mikael Blomqvist, even though she has abruptly ended her emotional relationship with him. Lisbeth has left all she knows behinds her and has begun a relationship with a gauche young lover. But after a grim revenge run-in with a man who has abused her, she becomes a suspect in three murders, and is the subject of a nationwide search. Blomqvist, however, is convinced of her innocence (he has just been responsible for a blistering report on the sex trafficking industry in Sweden), and is determined to help her – whether she wants his help or not.

As with Larsson’s earlier book, this is highly compelling fare, with tautly orchestrated suspense; it's often grisly and uncompromising (not a problem for many readers), and the massive text may be longer than is good for it, but Larsson admirers won't begrudge the late author a word,and will be impatient for the third (and, regrettably, concluding) book in the sequence. --Barry Forshaw

As good as crime writing gets - Times Literary Supplement. A gripping novel, driven by a mixture of anger and warmth - Financial Times. Darkly wonderful adventure - Scotland on Sunday. Unmissable - London Lite. It's that rare thing; a thoughtful contemporary thriller with its heart and its head in the right place - Tribune. The huge pleasure of these books is Salander, a fascinating creation - Mark Lawson, Guardian. Even more gripping and astonishing than the first … this novel will leave readers on the edge of their seats - Joan Smith, Sunday Times. An absorbing, exciting and bloody multi-layered chase … the climax is a feast of gore … a riveting read - The Times. Stieg Larsson is, as we say, definitely having a moment … the writing is gripping, the plotting masterly - Rachel Johnson, Sunday Times.

The Girl Who Played with Fire is that rare thing - a sequel that is even better than the book that went before … it is to be read in great hungry chunks - Observer.

It is rare to find a thriller in which the female characters are allowed so much space to be. Lisbeth Salander really is a wonderful creation - Scotsman.

Astonishing novels … Larsson came up with an entirely new kind of heroine for the crime story … as with Larsson's first novel, this is wonderful stuff - Daily Express.

A year ago, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo won ecstatic praise from British critics and readers. Now its successor, The Girl who Played with Fire has outsold the likes of Patricia Cornwell and James Patterson … once more, another figure seizes the book by the scruff of its neck and binds the reader in fetters of fascination - Independent.

As with the first book, this complex novel is not just a thrilling read, but tackles head-on the kind of issues that Larsson himself railed against in society, such as endemic establishment corruption and the exploitation of women - Daily Mail.

Warning - addictive thriller. All who taste it get hooked!

When a writer delivers such a complex and fascinating portrayal like that of Lisbeth Salander all we can do is bow down in gratitude. It doesn't get much better than this

A gripping novel, driven by a mixture of anger and warmth.

The huge pleasure of these books is Salander, a fascinating creation.

Even more gripping and astonishing than the first ... this novel will leave readers on the edge of their seats.

An absorbing, exciting and bloody multi-layered chase ... the climax is a feast of gore ... a riveting read.

Stieg Larsson is, as we say, definitely having a moment ... the writing is gripping, the plotting masterly.

As good as crime writing gets.

Darkly wonderful adventure.

Unmissable.

Lisbeth Salander is a wanted woman. Two Millennium journalists about to expose the truth about sex trafficking in Sweden are murdered, and Salander’s prints are on the weapon. Her history of unpredictable and vengeful behaviour makes her an official danger to society - but no-one can find her. Mikael Blomkvist, editor-in-chief of Millennium, does not believe the police. Using all his magazine staff and resources to prove Salander’s innocence, Blomkvist also uncovers her terrible past, spent in criminally corrupt institutions. Yet Salander is more avenging angel than helpless victim. She may be an expert at staying out of sight - but she has ways of tracking down her most elusive enemies.

Lisbeth Salander, computer genius and woman of independent means, has learned to use every weapon in the book to achieve her ends. She does not forget and she does not forgive, and wherever she finds corruption or abuse - most especially of women - she is relentless. She decides to wage war on the elusive figures of the sex-trafficking industry, using her prodigious skills as a hacker to further an investigation launched by her one-time friend Mikael Blomkvist, the publisher of Millennium magazine. But hardly has she emerged from her hidden apartment than she is embroiled in a double murder, and sought by the police for a third. Not only does evidence point to her being mentally deranged, but her prints are on the murder weapon. The only way Salander can be reached is by computer. But she in turn can break into almost any network she chooses. For cunning, for resolve, for ruthlessness she cannot be matched. But now, hunted not only by Inspector Bublanski's team but also by every force in Sweden, she is beyond the reach of any protection. She is also the prey of terrifyingly violent men, who will stop at nothing to protect their criminal schemes. Salander must unearth and expose the truth before her pursuers find her. The Girl Who Played with Fire is the second volume of Stieg Larsson's magnificent Millennium Trilogy.

Millennium Magazine. Special Report: Mikael Blomkvist investigates. The Millennium publisher has launched the most explosive and far-reaching exposé of the multi-billion kronor sex-trafficking industry in Sweden, and its international links. Double killing in Stockholm apartment: Two found dead. Suspected murder weapon recovered close to the scene. Police are baffled by apparently professional killing in residential neighbourhood. Lisbeth Salander sought by every police force in Sweden: The chief suspect in three killings, former security analyst Salander eludes nationwide search. Inspector Bublanksi leads the Stockholm team. The sequel to the bestselling The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. “In spite of its dark unearthings Stieg Larsson has written a feat of a book, with central characters you will not forget” Michael Ondaatje. Crusading author and liberal journalist Stieg Larsson died after delivering to his Swedish publisher the novels that are the Millennium Trilogy. Tragically, he did not live to enjoy the phenomenon that his work has become.

Stieg Larsson was the editor-in-chief of the anti-racist magazine Expo. He was a leading expert on right-wing extremist organisations. He died in 2004, soon after delivering the text of the novels that make up the Millennium Trilogy.