03. One Step Behind

A clique of teenagers who wanted to be particularly cool celebrated the myth-enshrouded Midsummer in 18th century costumes. They have since disappeared, which is initially no cause for concern for Inspector Wallander. Half a dozen postcard greetings prove that the young people are apparently on a spontaneous trip through Europe. When their half-decomposed bodies are found in a nature reserve a few months later, the police are faced with a mystery. Wallander also finds the murder of his colleague Svedberg incomprehensible.

In his apartment, the detective discovers evidence that Svedberg had investigated the teenagers' case on his own. This leads Wallander to find young Isa, who was unable to take part in her friends' secret rococo ritual due to illness. After a suicide attempt, the girl recovers in her parents' remote vacation home on the archipelago. Wallander feels responsible for Isa and follows her. He actually succeeds in gaining her trust - but he cannot prevent the murderer from coming to the island unnoticed and shooting Isa. Wallander, already suffering from a diabetes diagnosis, is desperate, and the murder of a young wedding couple who wanted to be photographed on their secret love beach confronts the detective with the same question again: How does the murderer know only the most intimate secrets of his victims? When he sees a Postbus turning the corner outside the police station, lost in thought, he has a terrible suspicion.

Picture: ARD Degeto/Yellow Bird/Left Bank Pictures/Steffan Hill