Winners never quit...

But I did quit reading The Brothers Karamzov. And I think by doing so, I won. Blech. I know people love this book. Just not for me.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, by Stieg Larsson

I read this book alarmingly fast. I couldn't put it down. I loved how each of the investigating good guys put together a piece of the conspiracy puzzle. I loved how the puzzle just kept coming steadily together throughout the entire book --- no over-dramatized setbacks. I loved all of the characters within the police, good and bad. I even wound up loving Berger's subplots with the job issue and the stalker (which at first I worried were going to be distracting). And I loved Annika's great cross examination. From a lawyer perspective, I thought it was interesting how the Swedish criminal trial proceeded, and it left me wondering how accurate it was. Lots of arguing by the attorneys amidst witness testimony.

What I didn't like about this book was the very end. I thought the introduction of Salander's accountant/lawyer character was unnecessary. And the wrap-up with the giant was a rushed afterthought. And I wanted more time spent, now that the characters were finally able to converge, reestablishing the relationships that had been severed for 2 whole novels.

A random thought about the translation: they kept calling Berger's cubicle a "glass cage." Characters used this term independently of each other, like it was some kind of expression or term of art. I think the translator should have used the word "fishbowl," which is an expression.

The Girl Who Played with Fire, by Stieg Larsson

SO much better than The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Less predictable, more exciting. The book jumps between the characters' story lines/perspectives a lot, which I liked. Larsson would get me really excited about what was going on with a character, but he would jump to a different character at the height of the excitement. Frustrating? No... because the new plot line would be just as exciting. So I found myself jumping between characters and stories that all held my interest perfectly. He unwound the mystery of Salander's family and Salander's actions at a perfect pace.

The only thing I did find frustrating about this book was it's publishing ploy. This is not a complete book. The end of the book is not even remotely an end. You HAVE to read the next book to continue the plot. Darn publishers, splitting the book into two to make an extra buck. Because nobody is going to finish this book and then not immediately purchase the finale.