Aurelio Zen, police inspector in Rome, is an expert in tracking down criminals. But his marriage is on the rocks and his career seems to be at a dead end. In short, sadness trumps. Until a newcomer is added to Zen's team: the intelligent, ambitious and stunningly beautiful Tania. Her arrival makes Zen enjoy his work again, especially when he notices that she also finds him attractive. When Zen is then offered a high-profile murder case, he sees it as the ultimate opportunity to get his life and career back on track.