In the aftermath of another killing at the plant, Vikingur is found covered in blood, and with his fingerprints on the murder weapon. It is all Hjortur can do to keep the other workers from tearing him apart until the police arrive, and now he is in custody at the station for a murder he swears he did not commit.

The shock is felt by Vikingur's troubled family, and by Andri and Hinrika, who clearly must charge Vikingur. Ebo, alone and in danger without Vikingur to protect him, looks for sanctuary with Vikingur's friends. Meanwhile Asgeir has agreed to investigate the mystery of the dead animals Ketill has been finding up at the lake.

Thorhildur's confession to Asgeir brought a new sense of hope, but with everyone chasing down different leads and being too busy to speak to each other events take a catastrophic and disturbing turn. When everyone recovers from the shock, tracking down the killer has become not just a matter of public safety, but a personal vendetta. Meanwhile Andri has to contend with keeping Thorhildur safe. Now she has handed the police the lead they so desperately needed, he must get her out of town before the killer realises what has happened.