Muhammed Ali Ali itibaren 386 93 Torslunda, İsveç itibaren 386 93 Torslunda, İsveç

Based on the Back Cover description, not the type of book I would normally pick up. It turns out, however, many years ago, I was friends with the Author. So I picked it up in support of her. It was a very enjoyable read. Not quite "I couldn't put it down," but I am definitely glad that I chose to take the risk.

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. It is the story of a journalist, convicted of libel, who is hired to write a family's story. Secretly, in addition to the written assignment, he is to investigate a missing girl who was 16 years old when she disappeared. Blomkist uncovers so much in his investigation, things he can never share. The journalist takes you on a ride, as he uncovers the truth, almost to his demmise. It is a mystery, and it unfolds a layer at a time. The characters are rich in attitude and appeal, and at the end of the story, you feel like you know Blomkist, the journalist; Salander (the girl with the Dragon Tatoo), Berger, and the whole Vanger family. I have already purchased the sequel.

I hadn't read anything by Gail Godwin for a long time, but I did remember she was a good storyteller and character creator. This book did not disappoint. I immediately liked the main character Emma who is just starting out as a journalist for a MIami newspaper. She is both naive and savvy when interacting with the other characters. I also liked the time period, just after Castro came to power in Cuba. The characters in the novel have no idea what will develop in Cuba and MIami while we the readers do. That always adds a bit of interest for me.