6 year old Albin Landberg disappears without a trace from his kindergarten, and all of Ystad get involved in

the family's and the police's ever more desperate search for the boy. The clues lead Kurt Wallander and his colleagues to a convicted paedophile, newly released from prison after finishing serving his jail term. But also towards a series of revelations that turn out to be more horrible and complicated than any of them could ever imagine.

A parish priest is found shot outside of a hostel in what apears to be a cold blooded execution. Wallander and his colleguaes are searching for clues while the priest, who is believed to be able to identify the perpetrator, is fighting for his life in hospital. The police pursues the crime as a crime of passion after discovering that he has had an extra marital affair. Bur where is the weapon, and which of the betrayed parties has the strongest motive?

A guest playing chorus of young women are successful at the premiere of a rural church outside Ystad. As a member, 18-year-old Miranda Dahno, disappear without trace from the school where the choir live in called the police soon. At first, suggesting that most of Miranda's absence voluntary - but soon found tracks that indicate the contrary. The exciting quest for both victim and perpetrator leads Kurt Wallander, police aspirant Isabell, and their colleagues against several persons who have been standing near Miranda

Corrupt businessman Filip Pasolic stands trial for bringing illegal workers into Sweden and using them as slave labour. Wallander is injured by a car bomb intended for Kristina,who is prosecuting Pasolic and she is given police protection. At the same time pressure on the illegal Lithuanian work force to re-build Ystad's recycling centre in time for it to get an E.U. grant results in two men being killed,one of whose little sister,Natalia,sees construction manager Zoran bury the corpses. She goes to the police and implicates Zoran but takes off again with Zoran in pursuit. Wallander can link Zoran to Pasilic and needs to find him before he gets to Natalia in order to strong-arm him into testifying against Passilic. He also has to dissuade Katarina from resigning as,due to witness intimidation,the case is going against her.