Actes Sud, a French publisher, has transformed a Paris metro station into an "open library" by displaying 397 pages of "La Fille dans les griffes du lynx" (The Girl in the Lynx's Claws), the eighth volume in the popular "Millenium" detective novel series. This initiative, reported by Creapills, aims to promote the book's release. The rebellious hacker Lisbeth Salander, an icon of the series, inspired this idea, with the public display echoing her spirit of defying convention.

Passengers read "The Girl in the Lynx's Claws" at a Paris metro station. *Photo: Actes Sud*

This marks the first time a French publisher has put an entire novel into a public space. Previously, in 2010, Actes Sud experimented by hanging only the first few pages of a novel. This current campaign is larger in scope, drawing passersby who stop to read sections, take photos, and share them on social media.

The novel, written by Karin Smirnoff, is set in northern Sweden. The plot unfolds after an explosion kills a journalist and a child goes missing. Lisbeth Salander returns to assist the investigation and search for Plague, a hacker associate who vanished. The case becomes complicated in a town where mining groups vie for power, drawing in Blomkvist, the local newspaper's new editor-in-chief.

French cover of "The Girl in the Lynx's Claws". *Photo: Actes Sud*

The "Millenium" detective novel series was created by Swedish author Stieg Larsson, centering on hacker Lisbeth Salander and investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist. Together, they uncover dark secrets involving crime, corruption, and hidden powers. The series' appeal stems from its Nordic Noir style, which explores social themes such as violence against women, corruption, and dark conspiracies. Larsson originally planned for 10 volumes but completed only three before his death. David Lagercrantz and Karin Smirnoff have since continued the series. Globally, the books have sold over 100 million copies, becoming a phenomenon in modern detective fiction and inspiring numerous film and comic adaptations.

Karin Smirnoff, at age 61, started as a journalist before transitioning to managing a timber workshop and then becoming a writer. She gained recognition for her debut novel, "My Brother," which was nominated for the August Award, a major Swedish literary prize. In 2021, Smirnoff took over the "Millenium" series from David Lagercrantz, continuing to explore themes of violence and contemporary political issues.

Actes Sud is a French publishing house based in Arles, founded by author Hubert Nyssen in 1978. The company specializes in publishing French and international literature, comics, and culinary works.

Cat Tien (according to Creapills)