Monica Strömmerstedt

Inga, a 17 year-old, is sent to live with a scheming aunt who wants her to become mistress of her rich neighbour. She falls for a common young man instead.

The author Per Anders Fogelström walks around in Vita Bergen, the south part of Stockholm and tells us about Anna Charlotta's life at the turn of the century. She is taken care of at the Shelter in the old ore farm outside of Vita Bergen.

A dead and unknown woman is found in a canal. Police inspector Martin Beck becomes involved in the case. After several months the woman is identified. The police reconstruct the woman's last trip on the canal boat "Wilhelm Tham".

A 19-year-old boy, after his mother's death, starts a relationship with his father's mistress, although he is engaged. The relationship continues after the woman has become his stepmother.