In a small town anonymous letters are delivered to five different families. The letters are signed "Veritas" (Truth). They tell of a series of events and conditions that the recipients thought was forgotten and buried long ago.
His grace, the Lord Chamberlain and Colonel Baron Roger Bernhusen de Sars of Rogershus, Klockeberga and Björkenäs, will celebrate his 70th birthday. He decides to write his will and publish it on the birthday.
Marine Bo Fredriksson is travelling home on a leave. He reminisce about an accident he caused as a 12-year old which killed a young girl, an event that has made him feel revulsion for death. Back home he meets Eva, a girl he fancies and they move together to Stockholm to start a life together.