Four stories and a novel - from the beginnings of Inspector Wallander. A must for fans.

When Wallander solves his first case, he is in his early twenties, a young police recruit, and head over heels in love with Mona. In a time when the police are using batons against demonstrators, his career choice is criticized not only by his father. One evening, he finds his neighbor Halén shot dead on the kitchen floor. The criminal police suspect suicide, but Wallander doubts this explanation, especially when Halén's apartment goes up in flames and another body is discovered shortly thereafter.

By the end of this investigation, Wallander has made many mistakes and recklessly risked his life, but his extraordinary detective talent is considered proven. The range of these stories spans from Wallander's first case to a full-fledged crime novel, all set before January 8, 1990, the beginning of the Wallander novels.