The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The Girl Who Played with Fire. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. In 2005, Lisbeth Salander exploded as a cultural icon, captivating fans around the world, first in the bestselling suspense novels and later in the film adaptations. But what of her creator? Stieg Larsson--the man behind the Millennium Trilogy phenomenon-- died tragically of a heart attack on the eve of the first book's publication, leaving a brilliant legacy soon shrouded in mystery and controversy.

Now, fellow journalist and activist Kurdo...