When a newspaper delivery boy finds a 68 year-old alcoholic lying dead in his apartmentbeaten with a saucepan lid and hammer, and then strangledeveryone expects an open-and-shut murder case, everyone that is but Hawaiian-shirt clad Detective Bäckström whos been assigned to lead the investigation team. Under strict orders from his doctor to improve his health as quickly as possible, Bäckström has begun stumbling to work on foot, and even eating vegetables. The police force isnt what it used to be though, and now that its crowded with women and foreigners resisting a drink is harder than ever before. But when the newspaper boy goes missing Bäckströms suspicions are proven correct, giving his irrepressible mix of luck and laziness a chance to save the day.

Detective Bäckström is Perssons persistently repulsive yet undeniably brilliant comic creationan unforgettable cop winding his way through the black comedy of a crime scene, and managing to upset nearly everyone in the process.