The Ystad Police finds a boat in Ystad harbour resembling a slaughter house. There is blood everywhere, but no bodies.

Soon there after a dead woman’s body floats ashore. One of the clues in the investigation leads to Oskar Ung, an old love of Linda Wallander. Their previous relationship hinders Linda's work with the case, and Kurt demands that she leaves the investigation But that turns out to be easier said than done. Old love never rusts.