Lisa and Patrik have patched up their marriage after Patrik's infidelity, but everything turns upside down when they receive a letter from the district court about their divorce papers, which Lisa had forgotten she had filed.
A lifeboat floats ashore at the coast of Skåne. Inside are two dead men who who've been murdered. Policeman Kurt Wallander is assigned to the case. The men are identified with the help of the police in Latvia. One of their officers travel to Sweden to to help but when he returns to his home country he is mysteriously murdered. Kurt flies to Riga to find out why and is drawn into complex conspiracy.
Stig is a 15-year-old pupil of 37-year-old teacher Viola. He is attracted by her beauty and maturity while she is drawn to him by his youth and innocence, a godsent relief from her drunk and miserable husband.
Set in the world of the Swedish culture establishment, this is a psychotic thriller where morbid visions, depraved sexuality, and violence come together in perfect proportions.