My Reads

This is the fifth book in the Millennium Series which I found to be rather mundane and tedious in the way the author focuses at length on plotlines outside the main character of the story Lisbeth Salander, which to me is disappointing.  The book begins with the famous Lisbeth Salander being in prison for her part in the August Balder case, even though all she did was save his life, so to me it is unclear why she went to prison. Throughout the series she maintains the same principles and her character never changes which is a positive thing, she rights wrongs, is against any man who harms women. We see this played out in this book when she takes it upon herself to save and protect in a way a character in the book, Faria Kazi a victim of abuse by her repressive family, mainly her brothers, she ends up in the same prison as Salander for pushing one of her brothers through a window. This is the only plot line where Salander is really involved, other than avenging the death of her forme...

The Rome Affair The story centers around former lawyer (Cesca) Francesca Hackett from London, England who starts a new life in Rome , Italy to escape from a bad decision resulting in tragedy; then by a strange coincidence loses her tour guide job and immediately is offered a position to write a biography of famous socialite Elena Valentine. Cesca has many meetings with Elena that opens a world of intrigue, deception and power. It also reveals  that money can only bring a person so much in life. The chapters alternate between past and present as Elena's life unfurls. We learn about the challenges she faced growing up, the world she was raised in and the many events that shaped her. The myriad of events surrounding Elena's life from the failed and multiple marriages, the wild parties, the many obstacles she endured are well depicted through Cesca herself as she is drawn into the mystery surrounding Elena. As well, Cesca's surprise romantic involvement with a man she least...