What connects the shocking suicide of a young woman and the vicious murder of a government minister? Inspector Kurt Wallander's investigation uncovers wrongdoing and corruption that extends to the heart of the Swedish establishment.

A taxi driver is brutally murdered by two young girls who seem to have no real motive for their actions. Elsewhere, a man dies of a heart attack in the middle of Ystad's main square. When Wallander discovers that these two seemingly separate cases connect, they lead to one conspiracy that stretches far beyond the borders of Sweden.

Three teenagers in 18th century fancy dress are shot dead in a secluded wood on Midsummer’s Eve, and lie undiscovered for two months. As Wallander investigates, it becomes apparent that someone else has already been asking questions. When one of his colleagues is also found dead, it is clear that the cases are connected - but with a photograph of an unknown woman as his only clue, he always seems to be just one step behind.

Wallander investigates the brutal slaying of an elderly couple at an isolated farmhouse. A police leak of the wife's dying words leads to an outbreak of racist reprisals in Ystad. The fallout from the case leads Wallander to doubt everything, including his abilities as a police officer.

Kurt Wallander is contacted by an old friend who is certain his father has been murdered. Wallander refuses to get involved as he is suspended from the police, but subsequent events convince him that there is more to the case.

An elderly bird watcher falls to his death in a meticulously planned and brutal murder. In an apparently unconnected case a local man disappears and Wallander gets too close to one of the suspects. Wallander believes he is on the trail of a serial killer bent on revenge.