Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Let me begin by assuring you that I have a chip on my shoulder. I am very passionate about incredibly good books and wonderful characters. When I am lucky enough to come across work as wonderful as Stieg Larsson's, I enjoy the memories of reading books that were totally enthralling and meeting characters who are unforgettable. I remember looking forward to the movies, both Swedish and American, to see the characters I loved brought to life before my very eyes. My wife and I (she a Harvard grad) talked about Stieg Larsson's characters long after the books were placed back on the shelf. We love them. When I learned that there would be a fourth novel written by an acclaimed author who was selected by the Larsson estate to continue the series I was both excited and skeptical at the same time. How could the story possibly be as good as the original series? I quickly turned to the reviews in esteemed newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. Both urged readers to buy the new "Salander novel" because if I was a Salander fan, I would really enjoy the book. I ordered the book instantly and it arrived a week later. How I wish I had a week to write a complete review. I have so much to say that my IPad is going to overheat. Is it possible to review this book in one word? If so, the word is FRAUD The cover of "The Girl In The Spider's Web" says . . . "A Lisbeth Salander Novel" If that is not deceptive advertising, I don't know what is. I have driven myself to finish the book before writing this review, but I failed. With about fifty pages to go I have given up. Have you ever been served a cup of coffee only to sip and discover there was no taste whatsoever? Yet, unbelieving, you continued to sip thinking it couldn't possibly be that bad? Welcome to the fraud that is called "The Girl In The Spider's Web." What is so bad? I wish I had a week. 1) Writing so bad you had to read the author's credentials 3 times and still end up shaking your head. 2) Dialogue so bad you want to scream. Want an example? OK. At one point in the story Erika (Editor of Millenium) tells Blomqvist that new minority owners of Millenium think he is finished as a reporter. Blomqvist's response? "Dear, oh dear." If it was not so pathetic, it would be laughable. 3) Illogical plot twists. Want an example? OK. An autistic child triggers a discussion of another autistic child who was a child savant with an incredible ability to draw. What does this author say? The child is three years old and the author says: "The child's contemporaries were amazed at her ability." The child's contemporaries? She is three years old. How old were her contemporaries? Four? I wanted to hurl the book through a window. 4) Lisbeth Salander novel? She doesn't appear until the book is half over. Are you serious? The star character doesn't appear until more than 50% of the book is gone? Give me a break. I could go on and on. I feel like I worked hard for a nice salary only to be told by the bank when I went to deposit my money that it was all counterfeit. One of the biggest disappointments in literature I have ever experienced. Buy the book if you're a fan and then read this review again. I dare you.