Harriet Vanger, scion of one of Sweden's wealthiest families, disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption. -- back cover

Forty years ago, Harriet Vaner disappeared from the secluded island aowned by the Vanger family. No one saw her leave the island, and no body was ever found. Her Henrik, is convinced she was murdered by a member of her own dysfunctional family. Disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist is hired to investigate. But when Blomkvist uncovers new evidence, it becomes too dangerous to proceed alone. Enter Lisbeth Salander, a twenty-four year old pierced and tattooed genius hacker with the wisdom of someone twice her age - and a terrifying capacity for ruthlessness togo with it. She's unwilling to take orders, rides a motorbike like a Hells Angel, and handles makeshift weapons with a skill born of rage. Together this unlikely team unravels a dark and appalling family history. But the Vangers are a secretive clan, and Blomkvist and Salander are about to find out how far they're prepared to go to protect themselves.