Crusading journalist Mikael Blomkvist, with a prison sentence hanging over him, is contacted by Henrik Vanger to investigate the disappearance of his 16-year-old niece 40 years ago.

Mikael and Lisbeth uncover a link between the brutal murders of women all over Sweden, pointing to a serial killer whose last known victim died over 40 years ago.

Mikael Blomkvist is contacted by a freelancer, Dag Svensson, who wants Millennium to publish his exposé on the sex trade in Sweden, in particular, the trafficking of women from eastern Europe. When the journalist and his girlfriend are murdered, police become convinced that Lisbeth Salander is responsible.

Frustrated by the police's determination to prove that Lisbeth is guilty of all three murders, Mikael pursues his own line of enquiry.

Lisbeth Salander undergoes emergency surgery after being attacked by her father, who lies seriously ill in the same hospital. Mikael Blomkvist continues to investigate her case, knowing that she has been framed by the Swedish secret service.

Recovering from her surgery, Lisbeth goes on trial. Mikael races against time to gather information to acquit her, but `The Section' are one step ahead of him.