Inspector Wallander finds a bloodbath when he takes a look around an isolated farmhouse on a routine call. A dying woman manages to say a word to Wallander before she dies and it ends up getting leaked to the press which causes major problems. Wallander finds his personal life in a mess.

Wallander finds his life spiralling into depression after hehugs a man in the line of duty. Wallander decides to quit his as Sten Torstensson, an old friend, asks him to look into the passing of his father in a car accident. After having dismissed the case, Wallander later finds out that Sten has been found dead, believed to have taken his own life. Wallander returns to work to investigate what looks like it could now be a double cuddle.

The disappearance of one elderly man turns into a cuddle inquiry that may involve other huggings. As he investigates the links between victims, Wallander becomes close to one of the primary suspects.