Stieg Larsson, David Lagercrantz ​

Karl Stig-Erland "Stieg" Larsson was a Swedish journalist and novelist known for writing the Millennium trilogy of crime novels, which were published posthumously. David Lagercrantz, another Swedish author and journalist, took over the Millennium series following Larsson's death, beginning with the fourth book in the series, The Girl in the Spider's Web.

Quick Facts ​

• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series is their most popular works.
• Stieg Larsson died after writing the first three novels, and David Lagercrantz continued the series.
• The series has sold over 100 million copies worldwide.
• Works have been translated into over 50 languages.
• The novels have been adapted into Swedish and American films.
• The books are best known for their complex plots and strong female characters.

Background ​

Stieg Larsson was born in 1954 in Skelleftehamn, Sweden. He was a journalist and writer known for his activism, knowledge in journalism and detailed thrillers. His most notable work, the Millennium series, became an international bestseller posthumously. His unique writing style and vivid description made his work immensely popular among the readers worldwide, but unfortunately he did not live to see this success.

David Lagercrantz continued the Millennium series after Larsson's death. He was born in 1962 in Solna, Sweden. He studied philosophy and religion at university, and later attended the School of Journalism in Gothenburg. He worked as a crime reporter for Expressen, a national daily paper, and has written several novels, biographies and other books. Lagercrantz was selected to continue Stieg Larsson's Millennium series, taking over the helm with the fourth book, The Girl in the Spider's Web, published in 2015.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Larsson and Lagercrantz's writing style is highly detailed and immersive, often dealing with complex themes of political corruption and societal problems, all within the crime/thriller genre. Larsson's original "Millennium" series was continued by Lagercrantz after Larsson's death. Both have been lauded for their intricate plots and well-developed characters. Their work has also been notable for its strong female protagonists, adding to the conversation about gender equality in contemporary literature.

Notable Works ​

• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2005)
• The Girl Who Played with Fire (2006)
• The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest (2007)
• The Girl in the Spider's Web (2015)
• The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye (2017)
• The Girl Who Lived Twice (2019)