You’re best plan is to read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, then The Girl Who Played With Fire and then The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest. I suppose they could be mostly enjoyed in any order, but everything makes more sense if you go in order.

Posted by Sara in Denver, CO USA ,

What are you saying? in any order?

Larsson always makes some kind of hidden re-cap divided amongst the initial chapters of the book. If you don’t go in the right order you will ruin all the suspance in the previous books.

Posted by Thai in Shanghai/Perugia ,

Oh must be read in correct order, I totally agree with Thai.

Posted by AD in Wellington, NZ ,

In order, it’s the only way. Dragon Tatto – Fire – Hornets Nest

Posted by DouglasJ in Scotland ,

I got my copies from the library, so could not get them in order, owing to very long waiting lists. I read them as Fire – Hornet’s Nest – Dragon Tattoo. The second book gave away only a little of the first, but the second book definitely must be read before the third.

Posted by Vicki in Louisville, KY, USA ,

Who would want to read a trilogy in anything but the written order anyway.

I gradually sourced second-hand copies of the “Wallander” series as and when I could get them but read them in the time-line order of the writing.

By the way, I’d never buy one of these fancy gadget-fashion electronic readers. It’s so nice to be able to pass-on, and to receive, great books from friends. Can you do this with a battery-powered book reader?

Posted by Paul in Devon ,

Can anyone list the proper order?

Posted by Bill59 in Wauwatosa ,

Bill,

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl Who Played with Fire

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest

Posted by GingerLea in New York City ,

i’ve read the first one, almost done with the 2nd one, can’t wait to read to last one. has to be read in order.

Posted by sandy in taswell, in ,

Definitely, read the books in order. The suspense would be non-existent if you tried it any other way. Great series, such a shame there won’t be any more.

Posted by Sara in Oregon ,

I like to read the books in order, but I read them from the end to the front.

Posted by Stinky McGee in Hometown ,

You have to read them in order, or at least make sure you read the 2nd before the 3rd. The 3rd wouldnt make sense otherwise.

Posted by Jessica in Florida ,

I am getting ready to read the second book and am wondering if it has so much detail to sort out in the beginning. I almost gave up on the first one, but was so glad I didn’t.

Posted by Micke in Salinas ,

the second and third books are basically one continuing story. The first book is a completely different storyline with different characters except for Lisbeth and Mikael a few others. Definitely read the first first.

Posted by John S. in Minneapolis ,

read in order,as you read along it will make more sense…….am awaiting book three when it appears in paper back..

Posted by gw hoeffel in green bay wi ,

I am ALSO waiting for paperback of Hornet’s Nest. Impatiently, but it’s worth it. Don’t be retarded and read them out of order. … Seriously… Don’t do it.

Posted by RxFae in Vancouver BC ,

Yes, in order…..the only way really

Read in order or you’ll be sorry. the first one was the hardest to get into, but once you get past a certain point you can’t put it down.

Posted by Jane in warwick, ri ,

Who really asks a question like this? Read them “in order” is self explanatory. If you know there IS indeed an “order”-why would you do it any other way? It aint a beatles record you spin backwards to hear satanic voices! The American movies will suck and be a waste of time. But it will draw more attention to the series, maybe push his partner to finish the 4th

Posted by B-RI in Philly ,

I agree, who asks a question like this? The author made that clear. Tattoo, Fire and Hornet’s Nest. Reading the last one first or reading them backwards makes no sense! This past summer, I too was waiting for the Hornet’s Nest paperback and couldn’t wait..so I got the hardcover; well worth the money, glad I did. I could not put these books down…Sadly Stieg won’t be writing any more, great loss. I have seen both movies 1 and 2, waiting on Hornet’s Nest, showing end of January on Cable. Had no problem following it, even with subtitles, I am used to foreign movies. You get used to it! Lastly, I will be looking forward to #4, if there’s one.

Posted by Stieg fan in Boston ,

By accident I read #2 (Fire) and #3 (Hornets) before reading or even knowing Tattoo (#1) was first. I was halfway through Hornet’s Nest when I realized I was in the wrong order, and almost stopped and went back to read #1. In hindsight, I am glad it worked out this way. The experience was not lessened at all. In fact reading the fist novel knowing the characters so deeply already but not the complete background was great!

Regardless read #2 before #3 though!

Posted by RL in Houston ,

Am just getting ready to read the trilogy. Was able to get all three on my Kindle for a very good price! Have heard nothing but GREAT things about this series of books – am really looking forward to reading it!!

Posted by KDurb in Roscommon, MI ,

I imagine it’s best to read them in the order in which they were intended. I am currently reading The Girl Who Played With Fire. I started on the first, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, but was utterly bored with it and so it took me a long time to read. Normally, when a book catches my interest, I’m finished within 2 days. In 2 days I had only reached page 100 or so, and then someone took the book from me. So, I started on the second book while I waited to get the first one back. So far, the second book hasn’t ruined much about the first, but I’m only on part 2. I don’t know exactly how much of it is ruined, but I’m hoping not too much. So, now I have a question… to those of you who have read all 3, or at least the first 2, am I ruining the fun by reading the second book first? Should I stop reading it and wait to get the first book back? I’m just wondering how much am I actually ruining by reading the second book first.

Posted by Cortney in Bear, DE ,

Dragon Tattoo, as others have said, is a story unto itself, and so could theoretically be read first or last, though it does introduce you to all of the characters. I found the first hundred pages not too interesting ~ seemed to skip all over the place, but had such a great recommendation to read it that it was worth plugging on. Once it “gets going” you cannot stop. Fire and Hornet’s Nest really is one story in two parts. I am jealous of those reading them first the first time.

Posted by sparrow in Los Angeles ,

thank’s for all the comments, I bought all 3 books today, will make sure to read them in order, so excitet.

Posted by Caro4Running in WPG, Manitoba ,

I am desolate that there will be no more, I have read the first two, cant wait for Hornets.

Posted by Anglaise in Soubes France ,