The Draining Lake - Couverture souple

Following an earthquake, the water level of an Icelandic lake suddenly falls to reveal a skeleton half-buried in its sandy bed. It has clearly been there many years. There is a large hole in the skull. Yet more mysteriously, it is weighted down by a heavy radio transmitter bearing inscriptions in Russian.

The police are called in and Erlendur, Elínborg and Sigurdur Óli begin their investigation. It takes them back to the Cold War era, when bright, left-wing students in Iceland would be sent to study in the 'heavenly state' of Communist East Germany. A trail begins to emerge, from the hopes of youth to international espionage and murder in Iceland. It will take some time, however, before this episode gives up its secrets, or its various betrayals are avenged.

The Draining Lake is another remarkable Reykjavík Murder Mystery. It describes passions and shattered dreams, the fate of the missing and the grief of those left behind. It is Arnaldur Indriðason's most gripping book yet.

A skeleton is found half-buried in a dried out lake. The bones have been weighed down with an old Russian radio transmitter: is this a clue to the victim, and the killer's, identity?

Detective Erlendur is called in to investigate and discovers that there may be a connection with a group of students who were sent to study in East Germany during the Cold War, and with a young man who walked out of his family house one day, never to return. As the mystery deepens Erlendur and his team must unravel a story of international espionage, murder and betrayal.

'Indridason manages to keep the reader guessing...right to the last' Sunday Express

'Beautifully written and translated...combining suspense with moving insights into the human condition' Sunday Times

'A haunting, compassionate work' Observer

'An absorbing story which confirms Indridason's place among the leading writers of Nordic crime fiction' Sunday Telegraph