Hauke Jacobs has had enough of people and the big city. He moves to the Baltic coast, where he plans to live on a fishing boat and work as a country doctor. But he’s barely had time to move his stuff in before a car hurtles into the harbour waters. Policewoman Lona Vogt jumps in after it in a valiant attempt to save the driver, but is only able to recover a body. The dead man is the local vet. Suddenly Hauke’s career prospects look a lot rosier, but the contemplative life remains out of reach. The next day, the monosyllabic newcomer discovers two dead bodies on a boat adrift near the shore. The fishermen apparently had visitors on board before they were murdered. The only witness is the grey parrot Cap’n Hook, who has a lot to say; none of it, however, is particularly helpful. A lifesaver from the MS Ventspils floating between Travemünde and Latvia finally provides Lona Vogt with a lead.