A while ago I made a pact with myself that I would only read books that were uplifting or educational. I decided that there were enough stressful situations in my life and that I didn't need to add distressing novels to the list.

Like many people, my everyday life is influenced by the book that I'm reading. I get so involved with the story that it usually incites thoughts and feelings that stay with me all day.

So how I found myself reading The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson I'm not sure. The themes of this book are disturbing, particularly the opening chapter. The lead character feels very detached, cold and calculating. Many scenes are violent. But Larsson writes so well that I found myself continuing to turn the page. It nearly felt like a was watching a bloodied car crash; I knew I should have turned away but I just couldn't.

If you are looking for an absorbing thriller with dark themes I suggest you start with Larsson's first book The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo before you move on to the The Girl Who Played With Fire.

The books are part of a trilogy, known as the Millenium series. Larsson wrote the three novels before his sudden death from a heart attack in November 2004 (aged 50).

His first book, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, wasn't released until 2008, and it has since sold more than five million copies worldwide.

Larsson was a Swedish writer and journalist who ironically was involved in anti-violence projects. He only started writing the Millennium series in 2001. The third and final book in the series Castles in the Sky will be published in January 2010.