A dead, seven-year-old girl is found in a fisherman's net.

Shortly after police discovers the murder of three friends, police inspector Wallander finds his friend and colleague Svedberg dead. First, it is believed that Svedberg killed himself but Wallander soon discovers links between Svedberg, the three friends and a fourth person, a young woman in a mental hospital.

Johan Falk hasn't been working for over a year since he resigned from the police. Most of all he wants to move out to the countryside, but fate has a different thought.

A criminal in relapse is once again in prison. He wants to be reintegrated in society and build a future with his girlfriend. Bu first he wants revenge on the person who betrayed him - the rat rooster.

It's the early 1950s and Sparvöga's father has lost his job and is suffering from tuberculosis. The whole family is forced to move back in with his parents but for Sparvöga this is the beginning of a great adventure.