A parish priest found shot outside a hostel in Ystad, after what looks like an attempt at cold-blooded execution. While the priest, who is believed to be able to identify the culprit, is fighting for his life in hospital, looking for Kurt Wallander and his colleagues for clues. Only when it goes up to the police that the priest had an extramarital affair, it is clear that this is a jealous crime. But where is the murder weapon - and which of the deceived parties have had the strongest motive?