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.

Three youngsters are shot dead whilst having a woodland picnic in fancy dress. The corpses are found, and a friend of the victims is also slain, having told Wallander that his workmate was really gay, and that he is a transvestite, and a wholly murderous one, who adds to his toll of dead by killing a further trio of innocents.