The Draining Lake

An Inspector Erlendur Novel, Book 4

By: Arnaldur Indridason

Narrated by: George Guidall

In the wake of an earthquake, the water level of an Icelandic lake drops suddenly, revealing the skeleton of a man half-buried in its sandy bed. It is clear immediately that it has been there for many years. There is a large hole in the skull. Yet more mysteriously, a heavy communication device is attached to it, possibly some sort of radio transmitter, bearing inscriptions in Russian. The police are called in and Erlendur, Elinborg, and Sigurdur Olii begin their investigation, which gradually leads them back to the time of the Cold War when bright, left-wing students would be sent from Iceland to study in the "heavenly state" of communist East Germany.

©2004 Arnaldur Indridason (P)2013 Recorded Books

This Author's Writing Matures With Each Book

I am captivated by the complex themes, situations and characters this author creates so successfully.

excellent, engrossing read

Carefully crafted with subplots, excellent historical research, and character development. Thoroughly engrossing plot and resolution.

So many touches

The more I read his books, the more memories of my brief time in Iceland makes sense.

Espionage, murder and time

Interesting story that bounces between Cold War in E Germany and current times. Erlendur is his usual dogged detective who digs to find out about the skeleton that is found after some of a lake drains away and he ends up finding out the identity plus he gets an old Ford Falcon that is new to him, but still quite the relic, like he is.
Pace is a little slow, as most of the Erlendur stories.

This Series is excellent!

I have really enjoyed this Series! Every book so far has been excellent (this is Book #4)! Great characters, fantastic mysteries, a super fun setting in Iceland! I highly recommend this Series to you!