canada_matt 's review for:

The Girl Who Lived Twice by David Lagercrantz
3.0
adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
Since David Lagercrantz took over the Millennium series, I have had a tepid sentiment about things. This series was so impactful for me at the start and I have had issues with the transition in a post-Stieg Larsson world. This piece was a decent addition to the series, in which Lagercrantz redeems himself to some degree. With a strong story and utilising the two key protagonists throughout, series fans will have some enjoyment with what is taking place. Building up to a strong climax, the story keeps the reader hooked until the final pages. A decent recovery by Lagercrantz, but nothing spectacular.

While Lisbeth Salander has long been the adoring protagonist of this series and  a hero to those who knew her, things have changed. Lisbeth has left the grid and seems to have disappeared. Gone from her Stockholm apartment, with no digital crumbs to point to her direction, Lisbeth seems to have chosen some nomadic life. Little does anyone know, she is outside the country, targeting her evil twin sister, Camilla, on the streets of Russia. The hunt is on and the end result could get messy.

Mikael Blomkvist, the anchor that kept Lisbeth sane and grounded, has been looking for her. Not only has he been worried, but he needs her tech skills to identify a man who died on the streets of Stockholm. His only possession is Blomskvist’s phone number in his pocket. While there is no record of the man, his last known words were rants about bringing down some of Sweden’s most powerful politicians. Was this simply the ravings of a mad man or could there be some substance?

Each with a problem the other can solve, Lisbeth and Blomkvist come together to help. The truth will be substantially more troubling than it appears at first glance, but these two have a way of making things right. When self-sacrifice is required, they are both willing to stand up to the truth, but the end results are sure to be devastating. As the story reaches its climax, the truth will leave the reader gasping and David Lagercrantz in complete control of both the protagonists’ lives.

While the series has come a long way, I have lost my burning interest in things of late, which is why I am so late to the party with this piece. While the narrative style seems solid, I find myself having a harder time connecting with characters and plots that Lagercrantz presents. I do not think it is the translation, but rather the style and narrative presentation. Still, there were some kernels of goodness in there, which helped me make my way through the book.

Character development was tepid at times, though I am always happy to see Lisbeth Salander and Michael Blomkvist back in fine form. These two are so connected and yet independent that I cannot help but want to know more about them. I used to thoroughly enjoy the development of these two in the early novels, complex and yet so highly relatable. While they have both settled in, I had hoped for something more, but will have to deal with what was provided to me. I am eager to see what comes of them as Lagercrantz left them in quite the state at the end of this book.

Plot development is key and I have always relied on its greatness to help me through Scandinavian noir novels. Lagercrantz appears not to have it in surplus to present a superior piece, but still limped along with someone passable. I am eager to o see what will come of the series once it is handed over to another author, as I like twists and turns that keep the series strong. I suppose I will have to reach for the next book to see if I really want to keep going one toss in the towel once and for all. Not sure Stieg Larsson would be as happy with how things have been going, but I cannot speak for him.

Kudos,. Mr. Lagercrantz, for keeping the series moving.

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