Preview
  • The Draining Lake

  • An Inspector Erlendur Novel, Book 4
  • By: Arnaldur Indridason
  • Narrated by: George Guidall
  • Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (430 ratings)

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The Draining Lake

By: Arnaldur Indridason
Narrated by: George Guidall
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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
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What listeners say about The Draining Lake

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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This Author's Writing Matures With Each Book

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

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    5 out of 5 stars
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excellent, engrossing read

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

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2 people found this helpful

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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!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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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.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great

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

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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.

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2 people found this helpful

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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.

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So many touches

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

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A delightfully dark and twisted story

This series is just fantastic. The characters are rich and the crimes are fascinating. I enjoyed every minute.

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4 people found this helpful