Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy is legendary. Following Larsson’s untimely passing in 2004, David Lagercrantz expanded the series with three more Girl with the Dragon Tattoo installments. Now, Karin Smirnoff kicks off a brand-new Millenium trilogy with THE GIRL IN THE EAGLE’S TALONS. She does an admirable job of not only keeping the series going but also showing why characters like Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist are necessary in a world still filled with danger and corruption wherever you look.

It is the end of an era for journalist Mikael Blomkvist as his Millennium magazine is shutting down physical publication and moving exclusively to blog and podcast production. This is a sign of the modern times in which we live and will cause Mikael to reevaluate his life. He heads north to the small Swedish town of Gasskas to see his estranged daughter, Pernille, get married. While there, he will find himself in the middle of a major controversy that will bring life-threatening danger to him and his loved ones.

"Karin Smirnoff succeeds at every turn in maintaining the spirit of this series while producing an incredibly satisfying story."

Lisbeth Salander and her journey to Gasskas is much different from Mikael’s. She is genuinely surprised to receive a call from child protective services about the daughter of her late brother, 13-year-old Svala, who recently has become an orphan. Lisbeth learns that she is the closest living relative they can locate and must become Svala’s guardian until they are able to place her with a foster family.

Meanwhile, Mikael has been spending time with Pernille and her young son, Lukas, as well as becoming acquainted with his soon-to-be son-in-law, Salo. He learns that Salo carries much weight up north and is presently embroiled in a battle over land and a lucrative source of natural energy with the Branco Group. Its leader, Marcus Branco, is a wheelchair-bound, legless villain who will do anything to get his way.

Lisbeth and Mikael’s stories become intertwined for two reasons. First, Svala’s absent mother may have been the victim of a kidnapping at the hands of Branco in a leverage move against Salo. Second, and more unexpected, armed hooligans invade Pernille and Salo’s wedding ceremony. During the skirmish, Mikael is shot and Lukas is taken. Upon waking up in the hospital, Mikael reconnects with his old colleague, Lisbeth, and they discuss a combined attack to get both missing parties home safely while also exposing Branco and his plans.

As with the previous six books in this series, there is so much more than mere corruption taking place here. Lisbeth and, to some extent, Mikael have become champions of exposing human monsters and exacting revenge upon them. If you have read any of the earlier works, you will recognize that Lisbeth’s brand of retribution can be particularly violent. She has a nice network of fellow hackers at her disposal to see that it is done effectively.

The most surprising part of the novel is how resilient Svala is. She is a force to be reckoned with and an expert safecracker at an early age. Incorporating her skills into this battle makes for some terrific reading. Karin Smirnoff succeeds at every turn in maintaining the spirit of this series while producing an incredibly satisfying story.