by alix zachow

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

The first book of a threebook series written by Swedish author Stieg Larsson during his battle with cancer, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” features two unlikely protagonists: the publicly humiliated financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist, and the enigmatic investigator Lisabeth Salander.

Blomkvist is hired by Henrik Vanger, one of the wealthiest businessmen in Sweden, to find out what really happened to his niece Harriet, who disappeared 40 years before.

Everyone else believes she is dead.

Lisabeth Salander, who investigated Blomkvist for Henrik before he hired him, soon ends up working with Blomkvist.

This unlikely duo soon discovers that there is something rotten in the state of Sweden.

While this book may not be the best choice for those who are picky about translated texts, and is not recommended for those who do not like dark stories, the story is strong enough to keep readers engaged throughout the course of the novel.

If you watch “Criminal Minds” or “Law and Order: SVU,” you should be able to read this book.

For those who tend to be paranoid about serial killers living among us, perhaps not.

Even if you are, however, it’s worth staying up a few nights to read this.

The next book of the series, “The Girl Who Played With Fire,” will be released July 28, 2009.