The Crime of the Man Who Smiled begins with Detective Chief Inspector Kurt Wallander suffering a personal and professional crisis after killing a fugitive during a chase. He decides to leave the Ystad police force for good. Around this time, a friend who had asked Wallander to investigate the death of his father, whom he believes was murdered, is killed. Wallander returns to the force, and he is joined by Anne Brett, the department's first female detective, as they attempt to penetrate the "smiling" facade of the prime suspect, a wealthy multinational businessman. But just as he gets closer to uncovering the truth, Wallander faces the same mysterious threats responsible for the murders of his friend and father.
