'The Girl with Ice in Her Veins': A Whirlwind Thriller with Familiar Echoes

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This post contains affiliate links [*]. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Continuing a book series after the original author has passed away is a well-trodden path in the publishing world. While it’s nothing new, the topic ignites passionate debates among readers. Some devoted fans of the original author might bristle at the idea of a new voice stepping in, while others are curious enough to give the later stories a shot. Then there are the casual readers who may not even notice the shift in authorship. This brings us to "The Girl with Ice in Her Veins," the eighth installment in the Millennial saga, now available on Amazon[*] or at your favorite indie bookstore—if you’re lucky enough to have one nearby.

Here’s the rub: this book isn’t penned by the late Stieg Larsson, the brilliant Swedish author who crafted the original trilogy before his untimely death in 2004 at just 50. A second trilogy was later written by David Lagercrantz. Now, in 2022, we’ve got a third trilogy, led by the skilled Karin Smirnoff. "The Girl with Ice in Her Veins" is the second installment, translated from Swedish by the talented Sarah Death.

Now, let’s jump into the chilly depths of the plot: Set in Sweden’s far north, where the cold seems to creep in even during spring, the town of Gasskas finds itself buried under a relentless layer of snow. As the mercury dips, tensions escalate between a global corporation that’s mercilessly pillaging the local natural resources and the wary locals who have their own scores to settle. When a bomb obliterates a vital bridge and a young journalist turns up dead, it’s clear that something sinister is afoot.

Meanwhile, back in bustling Stockholm, Lisbeth Salander is grappling with the gaping void that her last lover left behind. Life throws her an unexpected curveball when she discovers that fellow hacker Plague has been kidnapped and dragged up north. To make matters more complicated, her niece, Svala—meaning "swallow" in Swedish—unexpectedly appears on her doorstep. Torn between her past and present, Lisbeth has no choice but to head back to Gasskas, with journalist Mikael Blomkvist by her side. Blomkvist takes the wheel at Gasskär’s newspaper, while Lisbeth races against time to locate Plague. Just when things couldn’t get more precarious, Svala goes missing, and Lisbeth’s worst nightmares come crashing down.

What follows is a harrowing journey into a lawless town teeming with predators masquerading as saviors, where friends can quickly become foes. As Lisbeth and Blomkvist confront their own troubled histories—alongside the haunting pasts of those they care about—they must navigate a tangled web of violence and betrayal before it’s too late.

As for my take on "The Girl with Ice in Her Veins," I find myself torn. In some ways, it’s a whirlwind thriller, packed with twists that could leave you dizzy. Yet, it teeters on the edge of cliché and predictability, echoing the many strong female protagonists that have crowded the mystery thriller genre in recent years. While Lisbeth still has some of the spunky edge we love, there’s a certain depth missing—the unique character we once knew feels slightly sanitized, almost franchise-ready, as if the formulas for success are so meticulously checked off that the story loses its soul. Maybe I’m just growing weary, longing for something with more substance than a reheated narrative.

That said, there’s nothing inherently wrong with Karin Smirnoff’s writing. She’s an undoubtedly talented author who shines in her own right; the dialogue flows as smoothly as a river in spring, the descriptions spring to life with vivid detail, and the pacing dances along like a leaf caught in a gentle breeze. The plot itself is serviceable, with twists that are, alas, almost too predictable for my taste; perhaps that comes with the territory of being an insatiable reader. While the narrative leans heavily on backstory, introducing a slew of characters that might overwhelm some, I find myself quibbling a bit too much. Overall, it’s an entertaining read, even if it is a tad formulaic. By the end, I found myself scratching my head—are the publishers secretly plotting a spinoff with Svala? Is she poised to take the reins of "The Girl..." series? Only time will tell..

So to all the thriller enthusiasts out there: grab your copy[*], settle in, and prepare for a wild ride. After all, who doesn’t love a good book that keeps you guessing—even if you might predict a little too much? ╌★★★½✩

⁓B.J. Burgess