A brutal murder takes place in the north of Denmark; the victims are a brother and a sister. A police investigation suggests that among the suspects is a group of pupils from a local boarding school attended by the children of the wealthiest Danes. Years later, one of the pupils actually learns about the crime, is convicted and the case seems to be solved. However, a few years pass and the file with the case lands on the desk of Commissioner Carl Morck from the Q department, which deals with deferred cases of special importance. At first he thinks it's some kind of mistake, but he soon realizes that something is very, very wrong. Together with his assistant Asad and the new member of the Q Department, the young maid Rose, they embark on a quest that takes them through all levels of society: from the biggest pauper at the main station to the man at the top. The hunt begins...