The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Originally published as "Men Who Hate Women (Man som hatar kvinnor)." And rightly so, the bastards. This title is definitely more appropriate than GWTDT, and you will find out why once you read it. Once again, the first "scene" of the book is all Mikael Blomkvist, but the trilogy is all Lisbeth. And it really is more appealing than Men Who Hate Women, which is also why I think they changed it.

To summarize the book: Henrik Vanger receives yet another pressed and framed flower on the day of his presumably dead niece, Harriet Vanger. He has gotten one for the past 40 years since she disappeared at the age of 16. Meanwhile, Mikael "Kalle" Blomkvist is charged with libel and 90 days in prison, gaol. Little does he know, his background & underwear size is being looked into by Lisbeth Salander, an antisocial, withdrawn young woman who is cunning in her methods to acquire information. Who hires Lisbeth? Henrik, of course. Mikael must travel to Hedestad, from his Stockholm, to have one final investigation into Harriet's disappearance. Lisbeth finds herself aiding Mikael, but is she helpful or will she become a burden to Blomkvist, once she opens up and befriends him, in her own way?

This first book is absolutely crucial to go on to the next two books. You get to know each and every character, their quirks and just where they stand. You also get to travel to Stockholm, Sweden through Larsson's eyes and sense of humor. Coffee and pizza, anyone? I also have to say that this is not my favorite book out of the three. While I do love lenghtly descriptions of surroundings, sometimes it can drown you with too much information. Which goes to say that Stieg Larsson was a very good journalist with a knack at describing things. But there is far too much Blomkvist and not enough Salander and that is what broke the camel's back for me.

Overall: a very good read, keep going past the mind-numbing boredom that is Blomkvist, for Salander waits, yes she's waiting!, beyond the yuppy do-gooder douchebag. And believe me when I say she's worth the chase. ;]