How did he die?

Hello

I just finished The Girl with th Dragon Tattoo and I am intriqued by the suthor . I found the book excellent. How did he die? What a waste of such a talented man?

Posted by Janice Keeler i Atlanta Georgia , 2 January 2009

He died of a massive heart attack in Stockholm on November 9, 2004.

Posted by Vincenzo in Vellano , 7 januari 2009

When I read that he died in of a heart attack at work, I was thinking about the story with Erika Berger's predecessor at her new job, Hakan Morrander - didn't he die of a heart attack at work?

Posted by Ina in Berlin , 13 januari 2009

Absolutely. It's very intruiging..especially considering the conspiritorial nature of his plot lines!

Posted by pea in England , 17 januari 2009

I have been reading Girl with Dragon tattoo from mid last week, got about half way through by Friday evening reading on my commute to and from London. Saturday I couldn`t put it down and finished it. What a great read. Just looked up the author and found out tragically he has died, what a waste. But what a legacy.

Posted by Stuart Eyers in Chatham , 18 januari 2009

I am right now finishing the third book of the Millennium trilogy. And now? Dear Stieg where are you writing for us? I think a lot of us is missing Lisbeth and Michael. Ciao Stieg.

Posted by Renata in Perugia , 11 mars 2009

It's been a while since I have read a book without being able to put it down. I'm now off to Dymocks to pick up the second book in the trilogy but unfortunately I am advised that I have to wait until close to Christmas for the third one.

Posted by Mena Kakakios in Sydney , 23 mars 2009

I don't normally read crime/detective novels,but bought the first book because of all the hype I had read about it. Wow! I was completey and utterly absorbed from the opening page. What a great read ,spent 3days totally immersed till I finished it and then was so sorry it was over. Will now read the 2nd book, but will have to find the right time to read it as I know it will totally take over my life till I finish it. So sad to think there will be no more books written by him, such a marvellous writer lost to us

Posted by M Spinak in sydney Australia , 24 mars 2009

Stieg Larsson developes his characters in such a convincing manner. Love the character Lisbeth. Plots, twists, turns, action. read both the first two books within a week. Amazing talent.

Posted by G Bryant in Gosford, Australia. , 26 mars 2009

I have also just finished this amazing book. Can't wait to read the next one...

Posted by Carol in Pretoria , 17 april 2009

Just finished second book.What a great talent,so so sad that he passed away at such a young age.I hope that the wealth that is created by him is used as he would have wanted,remember the Hendrix and Marley families behaviour.R.I.P Stieg.

Posted by Ciaran in Necastle,Ireland. , 10 juni 2009

Just finished the second book and am eagerly awaiting to start the third - although not available in my home town, I will have to order from the city. Lisbeth Salander rocks

Posted by Anne in Mooroopna, Australia , 11 juni 2009

Well it you haven't read the third book, watch out for the incredible number of times the author mentions drinking coffee. If you are planning to write the next global best-seller and want to be sure not to witness your baby's title shameful betrayal ("the girl with the dragon tattoo"? heavy sigh..... ), drink as many "latte"s and "triple-expresso"s as the characters in the whole trilogy!

Posted by Myriam in Paris , 15 juni 2009

I loved a novel, "Shadow of the Wind" and "The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo" was recommended to me by my local bookstore. I fought through the beginning of the book and then could not put it down. Sorry to hear Steig Larsson is no longer with us. Thanks for introducing me to your sordid cast of characters.

Posted by Steven in Aspen, CO , 18 juni 2009

Is there any possibility that he is still alive and that this is a way to get marketing buzz for the trilogy?

Posted by Trika in NYC , 30 juni 2009

Picked up "The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo" in my local library on a whim & couldn't put it down. I immediately bought the 2nd book on Amazon, which arrived this morning, & now can't wait to go to bed to start it! Looking forward to be as entertained as I was with the 1st. I'm truly sorry that Stieg Larsson died so prematurely.

Posted by Muchwezi in Staplehurst, Kent, UK , 11 juli 2009

I just gripped the first book in a bookstore, after reading the short description. I've never heard before of that writer and was fascinated by the characters and the plot. Later I realized that I've read the second book first, so I started again...I rarely got so much into a story like I got into those. hoping that one day the forth, unfinished one will be finished and published.

Posted by Mona in Bern, Switzerland , 11 juli 2009

is it just me or are all da greats either dead or dieing?

Shakespeare, McCourt, Larrson, who is next?

Posted by anoud al muhairi in dubai, uae , 21 juli 2009

I am in the midst of reading 'The girl who played with fire', as I really enjoyed 'The girl with the dragon tattoo'. I'll be looking out for his 3rd book, plus I will also try to read some of his other books. He definitely had a special gift writing mysteries. A great change from other writers. We are the losers!!!

Posted by Jan Brain in Tuncurry NSW AUST. , 22 juli 2009

I just finished the last book, I must say I loved each one of them, I couldn't put them down and I feel sad that there isn't a fourth. Does anyone know if he

has other books? any suggestions? thanks

Posted by encarna in London , 8 augusti 2009

i'm waiting for the third book - the first two are amazing, and yes, gutted there won't be anymore but despite what may or may not happen to the best female character ever - Lisbeth - she'll live on in my imagination, Thankyou Stieg

Posted by , 20 september 2009

My house is full of good literature, novels and biography mainly; I am a compulsive reader. I usually reject bestsellers, so I don't remember how I got hold of Larsson's first book, but once I read it I could not let go. I was so desperate to continue reading that I promised not to read the other two (I have a life, you know!) On the other hand, I read it in Spanish and the translation couldn't be worse. I was living with my decision when I read an article on the Millennium Trilogy by Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa on Spanish newspaper El País, which forced me to revert my decision. (I have to say I disagree with Vargas Llosa and blame the quality to translation and not to the original writing, too bad I don't know Swedish!) I just finished the second one some minutes ago and already bought the third one that just arrived to my country (Ecuador). The story is such "a drug" (as "Le Nouvel Observateur" says), that the terrible translation did not deter me from continuing. Never had such experience!!!!

Regarding how he died, it could have been a heart attack, but caused by what???? It gives me the shivers just to think of the options.

Posted by MGC in Quito , 20 september 2009

60 hand rolled cigarettes a day according to another commenter under the "work" tab - mystery solved people.

Posted by Joe in Ohio , 25 september 2009

are you all sure there was no conspiracy to have him killed?

Posted by zue in new delhi , 27 oktober 2009

How did Steig Larsson die? After reading both books one right after another, I'm still caught up in plot twists and thinking of ulterior motives. Did I just read that Steig smoked 60 cigarettes a day? Is this true?

Posted by Ingrid in Olympia, Washington USA , 26 november 2009

I have been reading Stieg Larrson's books non stop for 4 days! Finished The girl with the dragon tatoo. Finished The Girl who Played with fire and went straight into reading his third book The Girl who kicked the Hornests' Nest. What a great read! Such a shame I won't be able to look forwards to any more of his books. Such a great writer!

Posted by Brigitta Suba in Perth, WA Autralia , 6 december 2009

I finished reading Larrson's second book and went straight down to the bookshop to buy "The girl who kicked the hornet's nest", the third of the trilogy. A 100 or so pages into it now, it is as good as the first two. But it was only when I read the flyleaf of the third book that I realised he had died - what a loss! One can only imagine what excellent work he could still have produced! But his legacy lives on in his tales that force us to confront persecution of all sorts.

Posted by Theo Coggin in Johannesburg, South Africa , 21 december 2009

I have just this minute finished the last book of The millennium trilogy. I would put Stieg Larsson at the top of my list as my favorite author. I was totally shocked half way through the Hornets Nest, to be told that Stieg was dead. ( I don't like to read the back of the sleeve) ...then I read this dribble that he apparently did not write the book ( The Australian Newspaper-Jan 27 ) as he was incapable.......is this a conspiracy? I found the 3 books impossible to put down and the plot twists facinating. Apparently there were 7 more books he was planning to follow up with. I am at a loss a what to read next!

Posted by Emma B-K in Perth, Australia , 27 januari 2010

I have just finished reading the Millennium Triology. Like all the others quoted above I couldn't put the books down, bleary eyed and seeing double, finished all three books in four days! Incredible writing, tantalising plot, leaves one with wanting more - the last book left it open for much more that could have been plotted. Very sad that Stieg is no longer with us. Thank you Stieg for your wonderful trilogy.

Posted by Lee W in Stanley, Australia, 28 January 2010 , 28 januari 2010

... and what a wonderful and enigmatic character Salander is!!!

She is truly a "child" of this Millennium, with its uncontrolled and unabashed use of the internet, intrigue at all levels of government and the media, and wanton sexual exploitation, despite feminism and the women's right movement.

I just finished the last one, and am still floating somewhere between Stockholm and Gibraltar. I also could not put these books down - and I'm not usually a lover of crime fiction either!!!

Posted by Wendy Tanner in Sydney, Australia , 25 februari 2010

Has anyone seen the movie made from "The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo"? It's opening in New York this week and wonder if a visual of Lisbeth will disappoint us.

Posted by Joans in New York , 15 mars 2010

My local cinema has a poster saying It's Coming!! I also hope we all on't be disappointed. I have spent all weekend reading Tattoo and friend took it back on Sunday night and gave me The Girl who played with Fire. It's now Tuesday and have nearly finished. Impossible to do the housework! Bought the third book yesterday when I had to go out to buy some food!! Very sad Mr Larsson is unable to keep us entertained.

Posted by Leonie Dillon in Melbourne Australia , 16 mars 2010

Larsson entertains his readers, but sensitizes us also to the prevalence of hatred for women not just in Sweden but around the world. Years ago a woman friend of mine told me she knew of no woman who had not been or felt raped at some point in her life. It took me a long time to believe that this could be true. Larsson's work is quite an achievement.

Posted by Ken in Philadelphia , 6 juni 2010

I have found the trilogy to be excellent reading and could not out them down. Luckily I was able to read them non stop. I saw the first movie then read the book. I cana ssure you Salander is exquisitly well cast. I do wonder about the English translation of no one-why say Salander is a girl when she was definately a woman (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). Isn't this just continuing the old universal male view that women are really girls? I am sorry that Larsson used the term girl in nos 2 and 3, but that is all I am sorry about except of course Larsson's untimely death. I am grateful for his widening my horizons on what goes on behind the scenes in our so called democracies.

posted by Gaye Robertson, New Zealand. 29th july 2010

Posted by , 29 juni 2010

has anyone considerd how stieg made many rigt wing extremist and nazi type enemys there could have been many people who would have wanted him dead, is it strange that in the first book he eludes to perusic acid as a chemicle that can be easily made and induces somthing akin to a heart attack?

Posted by benwasheare , 11 July 2010

Thoroughly enjoyed all three books. I also felt though that the third book left a couple of questions unanswered, for example, whatever happened to Salander's twin sister.. maybe the answer was going to in a fourth book. I'm suspicious by nature so had wondered whether some of his characters were more alive than in black and white and whether his sudden death was by design....

Posted by Conspiracist in Brisbane , 8 september 2010

So sad that this author didn't enjoy the fruits of his success. I'm an certain that based on sales alone, he would have amassed a small fortune including big fees for paid speaking engagements, movie ticket sales, etc... Could have lived a little like Lisbeth when she splurged traveling in the second book. LOL!! The man would have enjoyed the finer things of life for a change. Hope he reaps his rewards where ever he may be right now.

Posted by Janet Vasquez in Bronx, NY , 22 September 2010

I thought the Australian Tim Winton was a great story teller but Stieg Larsson amazing. I have just finished the last of the triology and can now put my eyes back in there sockets and finally get on with some work. If you are out there Stig, thankyou.

Posted by Phyll Johnson in Bridport Dorset , 17 November 2010

You can't compare Tim Winton to this person! Tim Winton writes beautiful evocative thought provoking sensitive tales. These books by Stieg are page turner, marketer's dreams! No comparison!!!

Posted by , 29 November 2010

60 cigarettes, yeah and maybe a few full of poison.

Some motherf___er killed him

Posted by DJ Jablonski in Bratt , 1 December 2010

Has anybody made a connection between Stieg's knowledge, sudden death and this now business with Wikki leaks?????

Posted by Suspicious in London , 9 December 2010

funny you should say that, i just wondered the same thing myself last night after starting to read thethied book!

Posted by jules in manchester , 23 December 2010

...so onto it...will someone please be brave enough to expose the links...is their a Plague out there?

Posted by Carroll in Brisbane , 29 December 2010

I think the story that Stieg Larsson died has been fabricated for marketing purposes. I don't even think that a writer by this name ever existed. Someone else (who's still alive and kicking) penned the trilogy, and is sitting back, enjoying every moment of her/his success. And laughing all the way to the bank.

Posted by Dena Valguerra in Vigo, Spain , 5 January 2011

3-pack a day smoker....

drank loads of coffee...

Addicted to junk food....

One day, his appartment elevator broke. He had to walk upstairs... and he had a heart attack

I know I read this somewhere.

I am surprised he even lived to be 50!

Posted by exfat in Madrid, Spain , 3 February 2011

Gaye Robertson in New Zealand, your comment is old, but I will still respond. I believe Larsson used the word "girl" because Salander is a small woman and often mistaken for a girl or even a boy at times. I think he used the term deliberately to make the point that she was definitely not a girl - she was a strong woman - in spite of all the people who were searching for a "girl" when she was on the run. It was a form or irony to use that term.

Posted by Joanne in in British Columbia, Canada , 4 February 2011

Larsson IS Salander. He was assassinated through means of posion : this is typically a pattern of the "newer" types of silencing one who knows too much. Too many of his friends and colleages suggested and highly suspect the very same outcome. Stieg also warned others of this possibility to come before his death. Research his work and you find out generally who was the culprit of his demise. The answers are within his former work. Do your own work and see for yourself.

Posted by dragonlady in Smithsonian , 5 February 2011

I have just recently discovered a love for english lit and joined my local library a friend of mine reccommened that i read the girl with the dragon tattoo i could not put it down and was intrigued to know more about this author. The descriptions of people and places and activities was too detailed to be fake I believe in the bottom of my heart that stieg was both a mixture of bloomkvist and salander also and that 85%of the trilogy is true. He was murdered because like millenium he was going to expose them and i also believe he knew he would die as result and that was the ultimate sacrifice Stieg is a hero and one day the truth will come out because there are plenty more salanders and bloomkvists in the making.

Posted by zala in lapland in lapland , 12 november 2011

If the real truth about Stieg Larsson's death would be believed then, Stieg Larsson is truly the man who wielded his pen to expose the illegal/ immoral activities in his government. Case in point: As you read each character's description you could feel that he interspersed his personality traits and strength of character not just in one but many of his characters (basing alone the judgement from the back flap info about the author). He is Blomkvist in that he's into investigative and honesty in reporting; Lizbeth Salander' s in her unique devil-may -care , in your face,defiance against institutions where she got her abhorrent albeit understable state of mind, in Erica Berg for her open take on interpersonal relationship, in Bublanski and Armansky for their objectivity and reasonableness-- traits that don't come so stated but you could feel it surfacing when it comes to giving justice. They defied reasons, used their killer instinct mode in search for truth.. much more, rejected societal conventions so as to entrust Salander with the job using her hacking genius to break the codes of secrecy, events that are so highly on the current global internet piracy these days. As to Stieg Larsson's 60 cigarettes per day habit, I'd believe it if I'd seen it. To me he's a genius. He kept the reader so intrigued and enthralled which leads to the readers wantonly dropping everything that they're doing just to find out why and how the events unravel... so bad that after "The The Girl That Kicked The Hornet's Nest" , there won't be any more novel coming from him...He left us with a 'bang' which later may translate into a 'boom' in the box office once the first book comes alive on the screen!!!

Posted by Susan Cabrera in Santa Clarita, California , 9 December 2011

He died of a massive heart attack November,9 2004 it makes me cringe that such an amazing person with such amazing talent i am half way through Fire and the books have changed my life R.I.P Stieg Larsson god rest his soul

Posted by Dylan Paulk in Auburn , 2 Mars 2012