Psychologist and ex-FBI profiler Inger Johanne Vik finds herself and her autistic daughter, Stina drawn into an investigation surrounding a series of disturbing and brutal deaths in Stockholm.
The realization that Stina has been through a terrible experience really starts to sink in for Inger Johanne. Ingvar goes to Uppsala to investigate the murder of Bishop Elisabeth Lindgren that took place on Christmas night. In Uppsala it becomes clear that the secrets are growing beneath the surface.
After a long hesitation, Inger Johanne agrees to join the investigation. At the same time she tries to make sense of the information from her daughters; is there a connection between the murders? Rolf suspects that his husband is cheating on him and devises a plan to find out the truth.
Ingvar uncovers a lead that seems to support Inger Johanne's theory about the motive behind the murders; the bishop's son goes to see Ingvar to share his suspicion.
Ingvar uncovers a lead that seems to support Inger Johanne's theory about the motive behind the murders. Inger Johanne remembers something from her time at the FBI that seems to be related to the case; can the FBI help her? The bishop's son goes to see Ingvar to share a suspicion he has.
The noose tightens around Marcus Ståhl, who has ended up in a very precarious situation. What is the ship owner hiding from those around him? In the middle of a briefing about the killer's MO, Inger Johanne discovers a chilling connection between the murderer's profile and her own daughter.
Inger Johanne is closing in on the murderer, but then receives a very unsettling message in her own home. She is convinced that the key to how everything fits together can be found underneath a layer of black paint. Marcus Ståhl reaches a point where he can't lie anymore.
Stina makes a decision that puts her and her sister in danger. Inger Johanne and Ingvar see eye to eye on the killer's motives, but disagree on how to proceed. There is one final intended victim; who is it and will they get there before the killer?
