Readers left Lisbeth in a state of pure disillusionment as she discovered she had misinterpreted Mikail's affection, so she cut her ties with everyone, and in the interim spent almost a year traveling and studying mathematics. Through her computer skills, she had acquired all the profits from a criminal's business and has absolutely no need to ever work again. Lisbeth in her teens had been adjudicated incompetent, and matured under the aegis of a guardian. For various reasons she had permitted the relationship to continue but had arranged a way to require the guardian to file monthly reports of her good standing and progress. Lisbeth is perhaps one of the most fascinating and least predictable characters in present day fiction and the hold she has over this particular guardian is arguably the most memorable chapter in the prior novel.

Lisbeth returns to Stockholm, buys a new apartment in the name of one of her corporations, and assumes one of her newly procured identities. Dag is busy interviewing the johns from Mia's thesis, and collaborating all the facts for the publication of his book; of course this draws attention to him from many of the powerful people in law enforcement who will suffer when their names are revealed as part of this profitable sex trade. Lisbeth keeps current with Mikail's life since she has hacked into his computer and knows what is going on. She is alarmed when she finds the name Zala bandied about as a mysterious figure in this trade.

It is clear that Lisbeth knows something about this man, and she visits Dag. Mikail had earlier arranged with Dag to drop something off at his apartment around 11:00 that night. Mikail arrives shortly after gunshots are heard in the building to find both Dag and Mia killed by single shots.

Forensic evidence reveals that Lisbeth's fingerprints are on the gun. The next day the remains of her present guardian are discovered, killed as well by the weapon that was used on Dag and Mia. Mikail and her former boss are alone in believing Lisbeth is not the killer as the media goes crazy splashing her picture and sordid background in copy after copy.

This begins a complex story of self interested, dishonest, and honest police officials, and for some mysterious reason, members of the sex trade organization and their flunkies who are members of a motorcycle club all looking to hang these crimes around Lisbeth's neck. She is not easily found, and continues to elude them as she does her own investigating.

Larsson did everything right in this book: his principal characters are remarkably imaginative and multi faceted, growing in depth with each chapter. His action is fast and well paced maintaining a heightening suspense while utilizing  the locale of Sweden to the best advantage. The plot is clever, complicated, and tangentially it unravels and reveals much about Lisbeth and her time of "All The Evil."

Perhaps the most unexpected of all is the basis for the book's title.

--Thea Davis