One of the best thrillers I have read for a long time. It is a bit slow to start with but it inexorably draws you into a seedy and morally corrupt world. The writing is fluid and the pace just intensifies as the book develops. Lisbeth Salander is one of the most interesting characters invented in recent times. She is strong, street-wise, cyber-wise but you feel there is a vulnerability about her...until, of course, her revenge on the lawyer who is her state-appointed legal guardian.
Guaranteed if you read this one you will want to read book 2 in the series...and then there's always book 3.

In summary. The title character is not the main character, and this is not a murder mystery novel.

Like many others here I bought this book (and indeed the series) based upon the fantastic reviews it received. And whilst it is an enjoyable read, it does not deserve the littany of praises it has been receiving. It is a sound novel, written simply, which is engrosing enough to flick through the pages. The free flowing style and creative assembly of the main characters keeps you interested. But as a crime/detective/who-dun-it it fails miserably. With a cast of 20+ characters, only 3 are actually fleshed out. And as another reviewer pointed out, the first half is more a study in geneology rather than a crime drama. The title heroine is lacking in soul, feeling, ability, and is contradictory in actions and development. Nothing makes sense with her, but that still doesn't detract from her character, it just makes her not enjoyable as the main character. In fact she isn't.

Without giving anything away the solution to the crime is contrived and contrite, but at least the ending was worth a read, and that in itself does not a good murder mystery make.
This works better as a good drama, rather than a suspense thriller or crime story (as it is portrayed).

A thoroughly enjoyable and good read, but not the raving masterpiece that has had glowing reviews. Something to read when there is nothing else to read.

This is the thinking woman's crime thriller. The first 50 pages were a bit so-so, but then you're hooked in to the plot and the idiosyncracies of the characters. It was really difficult to put down. The twists and turns are never ending and keep you going right to the end, even though the main mystery is solved with 100 pages to go! I love a good whodunnit and this moves the genre up a notch or two. Scarpetta is banal compared to this. Such a shame there's only three to read.

Great story, lots of interesting characters and plots interwoven - excellent reading! I agree with other reviewers, it's too bad Stieg Larsson isn't here to receive the praise he richly deserves.

I got the second book for christmas, so it inspired me to by the first, as I always wanted to read this trilogy. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Loved the charectes, and the stories behind them, which continue to unravell in the second volume. Can't wait to get my hand on the hornets nest now!! Highly recommend if you like criminal stories.

I bought this series after reading all the amazing reviews it had received. I’ll be honest in saying that I think the reviews given were very generous.
This book is SO detailed that I honestly got a headache from trying to process it in several parts. The first half of the book is almost an introduction to what crime that the book follows. It wasn’t until about chapter 11 (180 pages in) that I became remotely interested in the story line and I will admit then I found the book difficult to put down.
The story goes into detail about rape and sexual abuse of the main character (the chick with the dragon tattoo) and I could not relate with all her actions. In several parts I found her contradicting herself and I though it very strange?

I appears that I am alone in my negative assessment of this book, which is fine. We all have different tastes, but I want to make it clear that in the end I did enjoy the book but I found it really hard to get into.
If I had not already bought the next two books in the Millennium series, I wouldn’t bother reading them – but alas I have....so I will sit down eventually and read them but I am certainly not in a hurry to do so.

LOVED it. I was worried after all the hype that I wouldn't enjoy this book but LOVED it! Can't wait for the second one! I loved the twisted relationships and characters. Fantastic. I shame the author wasn't alive to receive the well-deserved accolades!

Great trilogy - shame that the author did not get to enjoy the fruits of his literary labours. Articulate, highly imaginative and absorbing.

A brilliant trilogy, hard to put down. Author contrives to make even mundane interesting. Have to be in top 5 reads of 2009. Highly recommended.Authors death an absolute tragedy

One of the most amazing reads I've ever come across. It had perfect pace and tone. It was so well written it gave me nightmares. Definitely will be one of the rare books that are kept forever.