There are many actual details in the books making it rather easy (and fun to date them. E.g. what comes to Lisbeth Salander’s rather pompous flat at Fiskar(e)gatan 9 introduced in the second tome I wouldn’t be too surprised if the idea of it was conceived sometimes around August 2002. See: http://www.affarsvarlden.se/hem/nyheter/article253178.ece

Posted by Jussi Tuovinen in Helsinki ,

There are many actual details in the books making it rather easy (and fun to date them. E.g. what comes to Lisbeth Salander’s rather pompous flat at Fiskar(e)gatan 9 introduced in the second tome I wouldn’t be too surprised if the idea of it was conceived sometimes around August 2002. See: affarsvarlden.se/hem/nyheter/article253178.ece

Posted by Jussi Tuovinen in Helsinki ,

Your article is in Swedish. Is there an English version?

Posted by Andrew Situ in Fremantle ,

I am very sure SL would have something to say about the new Moderate government in his books had he lived to see the 2006 elections take place. When he wrote about Mick voting for Olof Palme, he must havebeen referring to his own political preferences.

You have to remember that Micke voted for Palme only, because in his opinion, there were no better options, not because he had any political prefences. (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.)

Yes, but Mick represents SL’s voice of reason throughout the series.

What about the storm over the West Indies when Lizzie was there? Any records of it actually happening? I put it as circa 12/04, the same year the Boxing Day Tsunami struck in Asia.

The hurricane in book 2 was probably ficticious. The associated tornado was described as impossible in a hurricane. Here in the Southeastern United States tornadoes are common during a hurricane. Any comments?

Posted by Buck in Montgomery ,

Andrew Situ in reply to posting dated Jan 13 (is this Fremantle, Australia, by the way? Just loved “Little Creatures” when I was Down Under.)

The newspaper link Jussi sent is, in a nutshell about, the Swedish business leader Percy Barnevik who sold (or rather: had to sell) a luxury apartment in Stockholm. The address, the price, even the way the estate agent advertised it makes clear that this is the place Lisbeth acquired when returning to Sweden. I think that Mikael actually refers to Barnevik when he discovers the place.

Hope this adds some clarity.

Posted by Martin in Frankfurt ,

What happened to Barnevik that made him sell his apartment? Who owns it in real life?

Assume the Barnevik question came from Andrew again (signature missing).

Well,

1. as there was a legal dispute I hope I am not skating on thin ice here: There was a big media debate in Sweden when it became public that during his time as CEO at ABB he had more than advantageous retirement scheme whilst the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. They came to some kind of settlement in 2002 in which he agreed to pay back some SEK 500m (then roughly USD 50m). That may have been the reason why he had to cash in some assets.

2. I have no idea. Maybe the locals know?

Posted by Martin in Frankfurt, Germany ,

Did HW Franke exist in real life? After all PG Wing was real-life director of Sapo. SL seems well-versed in Sapo’s history and said that Franke decided to set up the Section following Stig Wennerstrom’s exposure as a traitor.