I’ve read all the Lisbeth Salander novels. Steig Larsson, for all his flaws, created an astonishing charter in the genius hacker. David Lagercrantz has continued the series after Larsson’s death, but there’s a fall-off in quality.
The Girl Who Lived Twice is my least favorite novel in the Millennium Series. Lisbeth Salander goes Rambo at the conclusion, but that isn’t enough to save a dull book. The mystery of the strange, deranged homeless man that holds many secrets didn’t engage me. Salander’s evil sister, Kira, and her gang of thugs cause a lot of havoc, but to little purpose. The sub-plot of a botched climb of Mount Everest didn’t generate much suspense. Unless you’re a big Lisbeth Salander fan, skip The Girl Who Lived Twice. GRADE: C
THE MILLENNIUM SERIES:
Steig Larsson:
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2005)
The Girl Who Played with Fire (2006)
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest (2007)
David Lagercrantz:
The Girl in the Spider’s Web (2015)
The Girl Who Takes an Eye For an Eye (2017)
The Girl Who Lived Twice (2019)
I’m a big fan of the series but put off reading this one because of the poor reviews. I’ve read this is to be the last one. I’ll skip it. Already disappointed this year by the terrible Thomas Harris novel.
Steve, CARI MORA by Thomas Harris is 10 times better than THE GIRL WHO LIVED TWICE!
I quit after book two of the original series.
Jeff, Lisbeth Salander is a compelling character. But she needs a better writer to bring her to life.
I read, or tried to read, the first one and found the writing to be so awful I gave up after about 50 pages. Really liked the movie though, both versions, but I never read another of the books. For the most part I’ve stayed away from Scandinavian noir, but recommendations from friends are tempting me to try Jo Nesbo.
Michael, I don’t know if it’s the translations or the sloppy writing that mar THE GIRL WHO series. Stieg Larsson died and his books were published even though they seemed more like First Drafts to me. I’ve heard good things about Jo Nesbo, too.
Barbara read the first couple of the series, and enjoyed them, but that was it. I didn’t try any. I’ve found that continuations rarely work.
Rick, I tend to agree with you. Ghost writers rarely capture the innovation and intensity of the original writer.
Ace Atkins and Reed Farrell Colman have continued Robert Parker’s series and in my opinion write better books than Parker. But this rarely happens.
Steve, Bill Crider loved Robert Parker’s books–private eye and westerns–and he liked the Ace Atkins and Reed Farrell Colman continuations, too.
I’ve read and enjoyed the first two Jo Nesbo books about Harry Hole, THE BAT (set in Sydney) and COCKROACHES (set mostly in Thailand).
Jeff, I’m tempted by Jo Nesbo’s retelling of MACBETH.
Macbeth in his weakest book.
Steve, good to know.
Barbara has read every Nesbo and liked them all.