The Draining Lake

An Inspector Erlendur Novel, Book 4

By: Arnaldur Indridason

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Good book!

This was a good listen. Yes, like some of the reviews said it goes into some history, but stick with it it’s worth it. There was just one chapter which felt a bit dry with the history but it all makes sense as you read on. This is one of those books where more than the whodunnit we are interested in the whydunnit. Excellent narration by George Guidall as usual.

Great

Draining lake is one of those stories that can’t be anticipated. But trying is sure fun. Once again.

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!

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.

4

This kept me busy. The story is
so well worked out that if my mind wandered, I quickly rewound so I could be sure I'd not missed a vital clue. I enjoyed this.

Well written, well performed

I guess this is essentially a crime novel, but it is such a well written crime novel, and I would guess well translated, the texture and quality of the writing is so good that you can forget it’s a crime novel. So many in the genre are cringe worthy, and you only find yourself reading or listening to find out what happens, but in the book you can just sit back and enjoy the depth and quality of the prose. Also,, the performer has clearly prepped and understood the writing in advance of reading it. There is not one case of inaccurate cadence or emphasis.

Glad I stayed with it.

I agree with the others that said the unfamiliar names & the jumping back & forth in the past & present was difficult to follow, but I'm glad I stayed with it.
I also enjoyed the history lesson.

Just When You Thought . . . .

you had it all figured out, the final twist of fate is revealed.

I have very much enjoyed the Erlendur mysteries and this one did not disappoint in the least. My only problem is I am running out of books.