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  • The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest

  • By: Stieg Larsson
  • Narrated by: Saul Reichlin
  • Length: 25 hrs and 6 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (6,206 ratings)

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The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest

By: Stieg Larsson
Narrated by: Saul Reichlin
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Summary

Salander is plotting her revenge - against the man who tried to kill her, and against the government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life. But it is not going to be a straightforward campaign. After taking a bullet to the head, Salander is under close supervision in Intensive Care, and is set to face trial for three murders and one attempted murder on her eventual release.

With the help of journalist Mikael Blomkvist and his researchers at Millennium magazine, Salander must not only prove her innocence, but identify and denounce the corrupt politicians that have allowed the vulnerable to become victims of abuse and violence. Once a victim herself, Salander is now ready to fight back.

©2007/ 2009 Norstedts Agency / Reg Keeland (P)2009 WF Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"With the spiky and sassy Lisbeth Salander - punkish wild child, traumatised survivor of the 'care' system, sexual adventurer and computer hacker of genius - Larsson created the most original heroine to emerge in crime fiction for many years." ( The Independent)
"Complex, satisfying, clever, moral...a grown-up novel for grown-up readers...this is why the Millennium Trilogy is rightly a publishing phenomenon all over the world." (Kate Mosse)

What listeners say about The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest

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Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An engrossing end to the trilogy

I was eager to listen to this final book in the Stieg Larsson trilogy as I'd greatly enjoyed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and then the Girl who Played with Fire. One word of advice: listen or read the two previous books before tackling The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest as the latter narrative flows seamlessly from the Girl who Played with Fire and I think a listener would be confused without knowing the back-story and having become familiar with the main characters who are present in all three books. All the books are complicated with lots of characters with Swedish names and places but all are riveting. The stories are of epic proportions combining spies and the security services; crime and its detection; high-level computer hacking; investigative journalism leavened by a fair bit of raunchy descriptions of bed-room scenes.

This final book opens with quite a lot of explanation about the Swedish security service and political system but then takes off with the resolution of
the many threads from the previous books. Much of the book revolves around Lisbeth Salander's trial for serious crimes and journalist Mikael Blomkvist's behind the scenes investigations. The trial scenes are particularly engrossing, and without giving anything away, the cross-examination of the psychiatrist, Dr Teleborian, is a high-light.

The enjoyment and comprehensibility of all the books are greatly enhanced by the superb narration by Saul Reichlin, who is probably the finest audio book reader. Narration is an understatement as he really dramatizes the books by his ability to create different voices for the characters.

Sadly, the author, Stieg Larsson, died prematurely before this trilogy was published and won't know how much pleasure he's given people round the world who've followed the exploits of his weirdly wonderful character, Lisbeth Salander, and the doughty investigative journalist, Mikael Blomkvist.

139 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • P
  • 03-11-09

More of the same??

Having listened to the previous 2 books in the series I was expecting more of the same excellent work and, for the most part, I have not been disappointed. The vast majority of the book is well-written and keeps the listener in suspense. However, there is more of the same descriptions of 'Super Salander' as I have named this slightly unbelievable anti-heroine and there is quite a lot of repetition of content from the last book, which, granted is useful for new listeners but can be quite boring to listen to again.

18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

gripping

Thoroughly gripping thoughout. The storyline kept me listening and enthralled all the way through. I was actually missing other programs etc because I wanted to know what was coming next.

16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Really good book. I have throughly enjoyed listening to it. Tried to read the paperback version but could not get in to it. Listening to the story brings it alive.

15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

What more can be said

Having hit the charts world wide, what more can be said about these books. A recommended audible book to anyone. Don't skip the first two books and read this one first otherwise you will be lost, and don't go for the bridged edition, it's just too good to miss a single word.

11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent listen

I was wary of the length of this when I first downloaded but I had enjoyed the previous 2 books in the trilogy so had to finish it off. I can honestly say that the length was never an issue as, right from the start, I found the story gripping. It definitely helps to have read the first 2 simply to understand the relationship between the characters but even with that I still found myself struggling to remember certain events described. It doesn't matter in the least as it doesn't interupt the flow of the story and I was thoroughly entertained throughout. In the end I was disppointed there wasn't more! I would highly recommend this book.

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

This is a great read I am disappointed it's over I shall miss Salander and her friends!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Great story, not so great narration

After listening to the previous two books in the Millenium trilogy in quick succession I was eager to get this one. But I had nearly a month to go until my next credit. So ... I dropped hints that it would be the perfect Christmas present. Success! Unfortunately, my friend chose this unabridged version, and I had previously listened to the other versions with a different narrator. What a difference! My enjoyment of this instalment was marred by the stilted narration that didn't suit the style of Larsson's storytelling. The worst thing for me, was the breathy, hesitant, slightly suggestive voice that the narrator adopted for the female characters - including the indomitable Salander. Considering Larsson's female characters are all strong, independent women, the submissive tone of voice jarred badly. The male characters didn't do much better, with a selection of stuffy, old-style voices better suited to Dickens. In dialogue exchanges it was often difficult to distinguish between characters. That said, I'm glad I stuck with it because this book fills out the mystery of Salander and caps off the trilogy. If you enjoyed the other two books in the series then you really must listen to this one, but I'd suggest listening to other narrator's sample before making a choice because this is a very, very long book with lots of detail, many new characters, and a pace that switches back and forth from break-neck speed to ponderous as the plot unravels. Sadly, I don't think this narrator with his plodding style and limited range of voices did the book justice.

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Exciting Listen

This is good holiday listening. It is well read and enjoyable. I have not read the two earlier books in this trilogy but was still able to enjoy this as a standalone story, the plot of the previous two unfold as you go through. I would recommend this and suspect the other two are also worth a listen.

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Another cracking yarn

The Millennium Trilogy is like Marmite; you either love it or hate it. I love it and thoroughly enjoyed this the 3rd and final part of the Trilogy. Narration and characterisations were brilliant, and like the first two books there are plenty of plot twists and turns. Was quite sad to complete the Trilogy, felt that I was leaving a group of friends behind, and wanted to know what happened next! Will have to watch all the films now, and will certainly look out other stories narrated by Saul Reichlin.

4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • pfitz
  • 03-12-09

Good story let down by a sloppy audiobook

This is no reflection on the story but my enjoyment of this audiobook was hampered by the fact the audio track is clearly taken from a set of audiotapes as the instruction to turn your tape over still remain. Also and this is purely personal preference but I miss Simon Vance as the narrator. I had purchased the editions of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire that feature Vance but unfortunately such an edition of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest is currently unavailable on Audible. However I would advise anyone new to the series to purchase the copies of first two books that are narated by Simon Vance

16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Olga
  • 04-12-09

A Fabulous Finale

It is rare that a series gets stronger as it goes along, but Hornets' Nest is a terrific finale. When I got to the last part of the book, I sat for five hours straight so that I could find out what happened. It is a great feminist novel, though many readers might not notice...

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Lia
  • 12-08-10

25 fabulous hours

It is rare that a series gets stronger as it goes along, but Hornets' Nest is a terrific finale. When I got to the last part of the book, I sat for five hours straight so that I could find out what happened. It is a great feminist novel, though many readers might not notice...

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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  • Dr Firoze Manji
  • 25-02-10

Problems with recording

Some of this recording has clearly been taken from recordings for tape, so it's irritating to be asked to turn the tape over while listening on a digital device! To make matters worse, there is a whole section missing between part 2 and part 3. Sure Audible (oops, Amazon) can do better than that. Frankly, I want my money back.

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Joseph
  • 28-03-10

Saul brings Sweden to life

You've read all the rave reviews; believe them! These books (The Trilogy) are fabulous.
But let me praise the narrator, Saul Reichlin. He brought the books to life in a wonderful way. He made it easy to distinguish between the characters, despite a variety of accents (Swedish, Irish, Australian, Russian, etc.) and he did it without making them into caricatures.
As I discussed the books with friends, I would mention a name and they would often say "is that how you pronounce it?". Mr. Reichlin not only made these books a pleasure to listen to, he made me confident pronouncing more-than-difficult Swedish names and places!
Buy the book, and enjoy.

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Marius
  • 04-12-09

A great conclusion to a thrilling trilogy

Another really good thriller from the late Stieg Larsson. What a pity that he's lost to us! This one is the third in the wonderful Millenium trilogy, and neatly ties up most of the loose ends. It's well-written, a mix of fast and slow pace, intelligent and tense ... what more could one want? Well, there is something more ... Larsson's left leanings tend to influence this trilogy too strongly, in that pretty much every villain is a rabid capitalist, while every liberal or leftist is totally squeaky clean. Life is never that simple, and some shades of gray would have elevated the writing. But, in the end, I'm not complaining - all in all you did a great job Stieg! The narration by Saul Reichlin is excellent.

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Phillip Igoe
  • 09-07-10

Fanatstic

Great final book that wraps up the series well.
The narrator adds to the story with a great effort.
In a way it was disappointing for the book to end because it was so good.
Highly recommend all in the series even though they take a while to listen to. However you soon become involved and wanting more.
Worth every cent

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Joanne
  • 23-01-10

Fabulous - I couldn't stop listening

A fantastic conclusion to a great series, I couldn't stop listening. Larsson ably knits many strands together, creating a very satisfying conclusion to a story that looks deeply at what happens when society fails its most vulnerable. The series is set in Sweden so the reader gets the added benefit of learning more about Swedish life and history. A great listen..

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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  • W
  • 11-12-09

PAINFULL

This book suffers from a lack of a strong editing - it drifts on and on and on, getting bogged down in irrelevant detail of little interest to any reader who wants to know 'what happens next?'

Not nearly in the same league as the previous books in the series.

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Amelia
  • 13-04-12

THE BEST SERIES EVER

I just loved the twisted tales and characters. The beautiful descriptions of the country side, that made my immagination ran wild. The way the narrator Saul Reichlin keeps you on edge all the time. He is amazing.

1 person found this helpful