This is not how Henning Zapotek, a chief inspector from Hamburg, envisioned his sabbatical year: instead of sailing away towards the North Polar Sea to escape a looming midlife crisis, he finds himself back in his unloved hometown of Klokenzin near Stralsund, from which he fled to the West twenty-seven years ago. There, the tenant of his parents' house has been found hanged. Just on the second night after Zapotek's arrival, a break-in occurs at the old manor house. Nothing seems to be missing, but the tenant's bedroom has been ransacked. Before he knows it, Zapotek is investigating two deaths unofficially. When he also reunites with his first love, Ulrike, whom he hasn't seen since his escape, he finally gives up hope for a peaceful sabbatical year. A charismatic inspector, an intriguing case, fresh Baltic Sea air, authentic.