A girl disappears on her way to school, and suspicion falls on her father who has been fighting for her custody. Wallander's investigation is helped when he visits a woman whom he had arrested when her own daughter disappeared.
When a teenage girl is found dismembered, Wallander has to investigate the milieu of human trafficking. However, because of his memory loss, he is not in charge; Martinsson is, and the two do not agree on who the culprit is.
When an arsonist is released from prison, the villagers do not want him anywhere near them. Soon they take matters in their hands and Wallander has to investigate whether their fear is justified.