[1][2][3] The story starts with Helga Joner's daughter Ida who leaves her home bound for the local shop riding a yellow bicycle and wearing a red cycle helmet.

The same day Inspector Sejer notices an envelope at Ida's home with a bird feather in it which ultimately proves to be a vital link in finding her murderer.

We learn that Ruth's son Tomme had an accident in his car at almost the same time Ida went missing.

Another important character in the novel is a man called Emil, who doesn't speak at all and answers only through gestures and the word NO.

Willy threatens him that he'll tell the secret to everyone, but Tomme still won't exchange bags.

This conversation takes place on the deck of the ship on which both of them are returning home, also there is a gale blowing and they can hardly stand erect, and both of them are drunk.

After hanging up the phone Tomme tells his mother how Willy asked him to swap bags and how he left him when he refused.

As one clue leads to another it turns out that Ida was struck by Tomme's car and was knocked unconscious.

Lastly, the reader is left wondering if Tomme killed Willy by throwing him off the deck on the night they were returning home on the ferry.