Lauri Räihä and Sanna Tervo return to Varjakka when the village's ex-police chief is found murdered in the woods. They are assisted by Chief Inspector Jussi Ritola, who is burdened by a betrayal from twenty years ago.

After the second body, Lauri and Sanna follow the ex-police chief's investigation and meet Leena Niemitalo, who is in prison. A female theologian takes advantage of the Laestadians' confusion.

The arrival of a member of parliament in Varjakka puts pressure on all sides, and the problems in Sanna and Lauri's private lives do not make the investigation any easier. Leena secretly asks her daughter for help with a strange task.

Ritola is touched at the police chief's funeral, and Lauri hears about the bastard child of the deceased. The disappearance of Sanna brings Varjakka to the centre of the country's attention. The interrogation of the prime suspect makes surprising progress.

The DNA test result shuffles the deck again. The pressure is mounting on Lauri, and Ritola is no help. The MP, harassed by Aaro, begins a counter-attack. Meeri surprises Ritola, and emotions take over.

Lauri decides to manage alone. Aaro and Meeri work out their differences and decide to seek justice. Lauri is furious when he hears his childhood friend's confession. Sanna is faced with questions of life and death.