A novel from the series about the policeman Wallander, who investigates many brutal murders taking place in a Swedish city. The series has been translated into 26 languages. In 1999, the novel received three awards in Germany: “Bestseller No. 1” at the German Spring ’99 festival; “Book of the Year” and “Best Crime Novel.” Books about the Swedish policeman Wallander enjoy enormous success in the West, invariably become bestsellers, are filmed... The secret of such popularity is quite simple. In the detective's arsenal, in addition to classic investigative techniques, there are non-standard moves in the intricacies of plot puzzles, heightened intuition and a little luck, which invariably accompanies the work of a true professional. The ability to understand the psychology of the enemy helps him achieve success. All this allows us to put Wallander on a par with such classic characters as Poirot, Maigret, Peri Mason. Wallander's investigations, in addition to entertaining criminal intrigue, will give readers interesting details from the life of today's Sweden.