Twists and Turns in Swedish Thriller

I love mysteries, but lately they’ve been getting predictable. If I read even one more tale of a sadistic serial killer preying on defenseless children and young women, pursued by a successful but tormented female detective and her gruff but heroic male sidekick, I may throw the book in disgust. You know the ones — they fairly wallow in the angst, the carnage, the ever-increasing depravity — and is there actually some crime-solving or plot twist in there somewhere? Then, inevitably, the villain sets his sights on the poor female detective, until the sidekick sweeps in for a last-minute rescue.

Hello, writers: formula is for romance novels. Gratuitous violence is no substitute for genuine intrigue. And neurosis is not character development.

Thankfully, the latest book by Swedish author Steig Larsson is anything but predictable. The Girl Who Played With Fire, due out in July, follows the same characters as his 2008 bestseller The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is working with two other writers to break a major story about sex trafficking of teen girls, but on the eve of its publication his colleagues are found shot to death. No link is apparent between them and the brilliant but unpredictable super-hacker Lisbeth Salander — yet her fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. Blomkvist is convinced that Salander did not commit the murders (though “innocent” is not a word he would apply to her) but she has disappeared, and he is far from the only one searching for her.

This book is well-crafted and detailed. Usually when a person says, “I finished it all in one night!” it’s a sign of praise, of a can’t-put-down book. I’m a fast reader and finish almost every book in a night or two, but this one took me several days, by choice. It was long and detailed enough to savor. The details aren’t fluffy character descriptions, either, but complex bits of narrative that flesh out the story in unexpected ways. That thing about Fermat’s Theory? Not relevant to the plot but it gives the reader an example of how Salander’s mind works. In addition, Larsson’s writing style is descriptive, with a pace that builds throughout the novel. Scenes of violence or sex are not gratuitous but are described vividly.

My favorite part about this book is Lisbeth Salander. She has a photographic memory, probable Asperger’s syndrome, and a dark and twisted past. She is legally classified “non compos mentis” and under guardianship, yet she is the most efficient researcher Milton Security has ever hired. Her concept of justice has little to do with any recognized legal system. She is being hunted by the police, assorted villains, and Blomkvist himself, and manages to stay hidden. In contrast, I feel that Blomkvist is not quite as well developed in this book as Salander. His primary purpose as a character is to give Salander an ally, one who is not in hiding and who has access to the official murder investigation. To more clearly understand the relationship between the two characters, I recommend readers start with the first book, which fills in the gaps in their history.

The Girl Who Played With Fire is an excellent choice for mystery fans who like a more complex read. It’s more Lee Child or Jeffrey Deaver than Janet Evanovich. It will appeal to readers who like strong female characters or investigative journalists. Just remember: to get the most out of this book, read the other one first.

--Tiffany H.