The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo discussion

What do you think about another author wanting to write a fourth book off the Millenium trilogy?

In the beginning I was excited because I really loved these books, and read somewhere that before the author died he left a good draft for the fourth book. I thought this new author had access to that material, and was going to continue writing the story from there.

But apparently that's not the case, I don't have the link right now, but on the BBC website Larsson's girlfriend said they didn't have access to that draft, so they are starting the fourth story fresh. Basically, it's going to be fanfiction.

I see this as it is, an attempt to make more money off the success of the series. I don't like the idea of someone else writing fanfiction, and publishing it as a legit sequel, even if the new author uses some themes from previous books.

I won't buy the book on principle. I get so tired of the corporations trying to make money off series where the author has died. Let it be. If someone truly wants to be an author, come up with YOUR OWN ideas and write something original.

the original plan, from how I understand it, was that the authors GF/defacto wife - they were never married, but had been together for 10+ years - was going to write the sequels upon his death - he had something like 10 books outlined

however, because he died without a will, all of his stuff reverted to his father/brother upon his death, and they don't want to see anything else published. The GF has taken them to court etc - but AFAIK, the rulings have been made on the f/b side

I really liked the trilogy and would love to read more, but not by another author. Every author has a writing style and it's hard to capture someone's style, plus it just seems wrong. I think the book would be okay if the gf finished it, I believe she was involved with the other 3 books, but looking up the Millennium books I found this link by another author, it states it won't include any of Larsson's unfinished version.
Untitled David Lagercrantz

Yeah, I also read that he had planned to write 10 books, so I think if the girlfriend could write them, that would be more acceptable, as that would be the closest we could get of what Larsson intended.

I saw this on another forum a week or so ago and my opinion hasn't changed. The direction the publisher wants to take the series doesn't sound as interesting as what Larsson supposedly had planned. Another writer taking over the series doesn't bother me at all. I'll wait for reviews to decide if I'm going to pick it up or not, but based on what I've heard so far I'm not interested.

No, no and no-----I will not bother as I would not like to read written by someone else. Let those 3 be his legacy.

yes, it probably could continue because it ended with a few things up in the air but unless there was an actual rough draft manuscript that just has to be edited/ tweaked/ etc. i hope that no one else tries to continue writing the series. the original author of the vampire diaries and the secret circle wanted things to go in a different direction than the publishers so they had someone else continue writing for both series and there are such differences that there are times it feels like they were completely different series with characters with the same names. it never works out so there is a smooth transition where it isnt obvious so although i would love for there to have been more of this series i wouldnt want it to be written by someone else.

The last I heard, he had finished the 4th book before he died, and it's on a laptop in a safe deposit box in a bank while his longtime companion and his family fight over the royalties. I would love to know more about Salander's sister and other plot points.

I agree with Robin.They've tried to do a similar thing with left over manuscripts by Ian Flemming & Robert Parker, having well known authors take over the reins, but it's just not the same voice and smacks of a money grab.
As for his outline for book #4, I read on BBC that it is listed as missing with his family claiming his long time companion has it. And I hope to God she does. I couldn't get over the way she was treated by the legal system there. They were together for about 30 years, I think & she supported him before he was famous for his books (was a well known political columnist). She got nothing, it all went to the family he was estranged from for years. So I would not be adding to their pot.
She is also a writer & if she wrote it, I'd definitely read it as she'd have the best idea of what he was planning & be more familiar with his writing style.
Just as an aside, I loved the european film version, thought the actress was bang on as Lisbeth.

I don't know if the story will be good because the original author has kicked the bucket and so that means we'll really just get some fan fiction in this 'fourth book', but the ending of the third (movie, sorry I'm only on the second book) did seem like the story was not yet finished. In fact (based solely on the movies) I thought that the trilogy should in fact be a tetralogy.

Dee wrote: "the original plan, from how I understand it, was that the authors GF/defacto wife - they were never married, but had been together for 10+ years - was going to write the sequels upon his death - he..."

I read on line that the GF/defacto wife- had the outlines for a 4th book, along with the other outlines. A shame that Eva and the father/brother have fought the last six years over this and they just can't come to a agreement to make it happen.

It's none of my business if the man had a mistress or defacto wife or anything, but personally I think his family is being mean. They have cashed in on the first three books. The man left his mistress in charge of his manuscript, that means he wanted her to reap the benefits because he trusted her with his work. They need to back off and let her publish it and reap the rewards.

I would buy it, based on reviews and if I could pick the author to continue his books. It would be Camilla Lackberg, she'd breath new life into it after the 4th book, much like Ace Atkins has to RBP's Spencer series and mean that as a complement. Since in the Western genre, you have Ralph Compton and William W. Johnstone estates continuing their books, with multiple authors writing new ones, and both are hit or miss, based on who writes it. I will say with Compton's, it's just Marcus Galloway's that are bad.

Iris wrote: "It's none of my business if the man had a mistress or defacto wife or anything..."

A (long term) partner might be more accurate than "a mistress".

I still didn't understand the story behind all this stuff. It's said lot of stuff about the drafts, about the wife, the family etc, but honestly, another person writing the sequel? It's a double no for me. When I read that news I thought that it was only a scheme to make some more money and honestly, as for the writing it can be equally good, but it won't be the same. I would agree if they published the draft (I guess they can't) but don't add anyone or anything to it. The author died, the series is over with all he left behind. Not more not less.
That's a shame there's other interests behind that can ruin a good series.

Tytti wrote: "Iris wrote: "It's none of my business if the man had a mistress or defacto wife or anything..."

A (long term) partner might be more accurate than "a mistress"."

Is there a word for that? I said mistress but I meant no disrespect. Would paramour qualify?

Iris wrote: "Is there a word for that? I said mistress but I meant no disrespect. Would paramour qualify?"

Probably not, it means the same. There is one in Swedish and Finnish, I wouldn't know about English. A common-law wife, maybe.

I really don't like the sound of this. The trilogy was perfect the way it was and it does not need another writer coming in and sabotaging the story.

I can´t understand why the sequel is being made. The trilogy is complete now. I can´t see how another part would do any good, especially when written by another author. No, I don´t like the idea.

I think that I would buy it. Other authors have written for James Bond and Jason Bourne, why not with this series.
I have read that these books were part of a 10 part series. Very Excited

If it was someone like Michael Connelly, James Thompson, Jo Nesbo, etc who wrote it while adhering to Stieg Larsson's outlines for the remainder of the story AND w/ constant input from Larsson's GF/Wife, I could see this being a real treat for fans.

To never know what Larsson had planned for the remainder of the storyline is cruel and unusual!!! ;)

I would say, print it while trying to maintain the integrity of Larsson's work.

I personally sure have appreciated Christopher Tolkien's attempt to bring the rest of his father's work into the public realm for all to enjoy...even if in segmented parts. You just have to take it for what it is and enjoy what we otherwise may not have had.

Lisbeth Salander, while absolutely unique in the literary world, was defined sufficiently enough in the trilogy for a select author to carry her into a fourth (fifth, sixth..) novel. What would concern me and thus have a bearing on whether I would buy/read this novel is how closely it follows the late Mr. Larsson's outline.

As regards the greed/money factor, I believe that on Eva Gabrielsson's part that it is about much more than the money. I read somewhere that she turned down a $2.8 million offer from the father/brother. My heart goes out to Ms. Gabrielsson and I am pleased that in the U.S., we have Common-Law marriages to protect both parties.

Like most things it will depend on whether it is any good!
I believe the partner/gf has been badly treated by family.

I plan to read it. I really enjoyed/loved Lisbeth Salander. If she can be properly reanimated by a new author, brilliant; if not...oh well, it won't mean the end of the world. You can always just think of it as fan fiction if your brain has to conceptualize everything.

I wondered if he had even written the second and third books. They were so different from the first. I read that he identified strongly with the male lead in this series, but his part almost didn't exist in the second and third books, so much so that there was talk about dropping that character if a sequel to the US movie was ever made.

I was overjoyed to learn about this news of a 4th novel by this other Swedish author... Absolutely overjoyed... I will read the upcoming novel with great interest!!!

I even pondered in my own little fantasies writing the 4th novel myself because I love the books and the movies so much lol

I just wonder where they can take the characters.

literally anywhere. a whole new adventure!
i hope it involves Camilla somehow. more dealings with the Hacker Republic and Plague...

oh man... :) love it

I don't think it would be a really nice move, and i'm not gonna read it. Besides the whole commercial thing, and exploitation of the sudden fame of the trilogy, this fourth book would be the story of Mikael, Lisbeth and the other characters, but it wouldn't be what Stieg Larsson would've had in mind, so it wouldn't feel a good fit in the Millennium saga, it'd feel something different

Should another author be given the rights to a pre-written book i.e. rights to expand the book under the name of the original author? Is that philosophically right? Shouldn't the new author write a completely different book (which should be part of another series) and it should add a note that the story and characters have been inspired by the original author and some proceeds should go to the former?

Shubham wrote: "Should another author be given the rights to a pre-written book i.e. rights to expand the book under the name of the original author? Is that philosophically right? Shouldn't the new author write a..."
You already have several authors, in multiple genres who's series or books have been continued after their death. With publishers, the author estates and the writing authors working jointly together continuing to write new books. I've continued to read RBP's books, Ludlum's, Ralph Compton's in Westerns and these three I know the above mentioned happens with these three. Know with Compton's that parts of the books being released his outline for the books are used.

It's up to the reader, but I've stopped reading the William W. Johnstone books, the quality just isn't in them any more, and they are just milking readers, with two to three books a month.

i thoroghly enjoyed the trilogy and would certainly be interested to see where the story was going, but i have to agree with previous comments. The feeling in the book would inevitably change with a change in author and it might end up being a big mistake. I say leave it as it is, theres nothing wrong with leaving us wanting more.

Kay wrote: "i thoroghly enjoyed the trilogy and would certainly be interested to see where the story was going, but i have to agree with previous comments. The feeling in the book would inevitably change with ..."

but aren't you the least bit curious? maybe it'll be awesome! ;)

If they were writing it from a partial manuscript or drafts the author had written, I would be interested. Otherwise, leave it alone for now. Father/Brother may eventually change their minds if they find a author that will be true to his story line.

Lets all agree that If there is never another word of this series written, at the very least, it will still have been a very satisfying read.

I really liked the trilogy, I first was clued into the books, when the American version on The Girl with the dragon tatoo was realeased. I bought the first book and was captivated. They were very well written and I gobbled up the Three as soon as I could. Being somewhat clueless on things Swedish, I Googled Larson, hoping to find a plethora of other books and characters as colorful as those from Millenium. I was very disapointed to discover that he was dead. I, like someone else mentioned, have seen the European film and thought they were very well done and true to the story. I have not seen the American film.

To the issue at hand, I kinda want more, but am afraid that they would be so different than the personallity of the original that it would be more dissapointing than to leave it alone. Plus you would have to be a crazy person to pick up where Larson left off, knowing that every word would be scrutinized to the tenth degree. Having said that, if the GF/Wife got clearance to write a 4rth book, it would be difficult to resist. I would read all the reviews I could get my hands on, and probably re-read the others before picking up the New book.

Brian wrote: "Lets all agree that If there is never another word of this series written, at the very least, it will still have been a very satisfying read.

I really liked the trilogy, I first was clued into the..."


Watch the American version!
I am always surprised at how people believe that Larsson's girlfriend is somehow the most qualified to write the 4th book.

JO NESBO is who I would pick to continue the 'Dragon Tattoo' series - love his books and his Scandinavian sensibilities - he writes with great suspense, character development and plotting - I've read all his books (finally found 'Cockroaches' in english, his second Harry Hole novel)

sequel? sigh....

Yes, I loved the series too, and if his (common law) WIFE were to finish it up, I'd be okay with that. After all, like C Tolkien, she was surely immersed in the work!

Other writers? If the good ones have any integrity, they won't do it. That leaves us with those who may be okay but prob money driven. And no, I prob won't buy it/them. Though I would read the (honest) reviews.

Btw, there are many states in the U.S, where even long term "common law spouses" do NOT inherit, since it's the State and not the Federal Government that controls such things as estate inheritance.

READING THE COMMENTS/REVIEWS ON THIS SITE is always a pleasure - at least everybody seems to be well read, educated, writes with nearly perfect grammar PLUS President Obama's name isn't dragged into EVERY SINGLE DISCUSSION, as opposed to nearly every other discussion board (except I just did, for which I apologize, just making a point)

Thank You, Everybody!

Erika wrote: "What do you think about another author wanting to write a fourth book off the Millenium trilogy?

In the beginning I was excited because I really loved these books, and read somewhere that before t..."



I completely agree with what you said and also I don't want some random person writing about what truly belonged to Larsson and what he thought of the characters as he himself had created them and only he could do justice with them.

Anyways I wouldn't read it so the story ends here only.

I may have said this in the thread before but I'll risk repeating myself...

I'm surprised people automatically believe that Larsson's spouse is the best qualified person to write any sort of sequel (even if she DID have access to the last manuscript!).

Now to add something that I haven't mentioned in this thread yet, I think anyone refusing to even read the new offering by a new writer is very strange indeed. It's just perplexing to me as a sort of obsessive fan to ignore a new novel that continues the story. So maybe those of you who would refuse to read it are just not big enough fans.

I do believe that if someone truly "gets" the story, they can faithfully continue it on. Of course this is not a sure thing, it's a risky endeavour, but I'm hoping Mr. Lagercrantz (is also Swedish by the way, so I think that gives him credibility points) "gets" the story enough to do it justice.

Maybe I'm just easy to please! Who knows?!

Agostino wrote: "I may have said this in the thread before but I'll risk repeating myself...

I'm surprised people automatically believe that Larsson's spouse is the best qualified person to write any sort of seque..."

I have to agree with you as to why everyone seems to think that Larsson's girlfriend is the most qualified to write a sequel. Just because she was his girlfriend doesn't mean she will do a good job.

I am of the belief that this trilogy needs to stay a trilogy, so I will have to disagree with you about those of us who don't want a fourth (and I hate to think anyone would consider another six more sequels) not being big enough fans of Larsson's books. I feel we are just as big fans because we don't want anyone to mar what is already an incredible trilogy. How could anyone possibly attempt to be Larsson? I do understand though the need for some of his fans to continue the sequels, but I don't think this makes them bigger fans than those of us who would rather it end at the three that ARE Larsson's voice.

I don't want some random person continuing his work. If it only takes "to get the story and the characters" to carry on the saga then it means that every single fan can do it. And we all know that it's not how it works. Larsson had a vision, he was an unusual writer and we'll never really know what he had in his head for Mikael and Lisbeth. I am very content with what we have now.

The only person who may have a better clue as to where the story was going is his wife because she had the manuscript for the fourth book, and perhaps the outlines of the rest of the books. I don't know if she's the best qualified person to write it, but she has more tools to keep it close to what Larsson intended.If she can't write, but would share this with another writer that can, then that's different. As it is, it's just fanfiction and it shouldn't be considered a legitimate "sequel".

I would prefer reading any book that has anything to do with 'Lisbeth Salander'.

And being the closest person to Larsson, they'd have discussed the context of the story infinite times and It'd be amazing to read the story she'd write.

I would love to read it!

Bring it on and conclude the story.

Wow, how I love everyone's comments and how they made me think:
I agree that to capture Larsson's voice is impossible. But.... I have read other writers who have picked up the thread when the original author has died and they have done an admirable job.
I agree that I also would read almost anything to do w/ one of the great female characters in current fiction, Lisbeth Salander.
I agree that I "could" be content "with what we have now" IF.... Blomqvist hadn't been with his former lover when Lisbeth saw them when she was going to, finally, tell him of her true feelings (that she actually HAD feelings). That scene has haunted me, and I would love to know, and I'm sure that it must be in Larsson's notes, what he envisioned for Mikael and Lisbeth.

And to Agostino, Message #43: WHO is Mr. Lagercrantz? Would you please offer an explanation? Is he the one who has been tapped to "Bring it on and conclude the story?"

If I may do a comparable situation, well in a way but did not the James Bond franchise carry on after the Ian Fleming books were exhausted, even to the point of a film being made of one book?