The Draining Lake: An Inspector Erlendur Novel (An Inspector Erlendur Series) - Hardcover

Indridason, Arnaldur

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0312358733 ISBN 13: 9780312358730

Publisher: Minotaur Books, 2008

Synopsis

An international sensation, published in over twenty five countries around the world, Arnaldur Indridason attained instant fame in the English-speaking mystery world after winning the Gold Dagger Award for Silence of the Grave. His other crime novels in the series, Jar City and Voices, have also been published to highest acclaim—U.S. readers who have already discovered this extraordinary writer are eagerly anticipating this latest Inspector Erlendur Sveinsson thriller.

Following an earthquake, the water level of an Icelandic lake suddenly falls, revealing a skeleton that is weighed down by a heavy radio device bearing inscriptions in Russian. Inspectors Erlendur, Elinborg, and Sigurdur Oli’s investigation takes them back to the Cold War era, when bright, left-wing students in Iceland were sent to study in the “heavenly state” of Communist East Germany.

But one of the students went missing, and her friends suspected that her “heavenly state” was all too real. Erlendur follows a long cold trail that leads back to Iceland, international espionage, and murder.

Another astonishing Reykjavík thriller from one of crime fiction’s brightest stars, The Draining Lake is Arnaldur Indridason’s most gripping book yet.

About this title

About the Author

Arnaldur Indridason, author of the Reykjavík Thrillers, was born in 1961. He worked at an Icelandic newspaper, first as a journalist and then for many years as a film reviewer. He won the Glass Key Award for Best Nordic Crime Novel for both Jar City and Silence of the Grave, and in 2005 Silence of the Grave also won the Crime Writers Gold Dagger Award for best crime novel of the year. The film of Jar City (available on DVD) was Iceland’s entry for the 2008 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. Indridason lives in Reykjavík with his family.

Review

Unanimous Acclaim for Arnaldur Indridason and the Inspector Erlendur Sveinsson series

“The best new series I’ve read this year. Arnaldur Indridason is already an international literary phenom---and it's easy to see why. His novels are gripping, authentic, haunting and lyrical. I can't wait for the next.”
- Harlan Coben on Silence of the Grave

“Arnaldur Indridason is a writer of astonishing gravitas and talent.”
- John Lescroart on Jar City

"A book as subtle and moving as it is suspenseful."
- Wall Street Journal on The Draining Lake

“A commanding new voice . . . puts Iceland on the map as a major destination for enthusiasts of Nordic crime fiction.”
- Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review on Silence of the Grave

"Exceptional fiction that transcends its genre."
- Library Journal (starred review) on The Draining Lake

“No wonder Arnaldur Indridason won so many awards. He's a great storyteller, and American readers will overwhelmingly agree.”
- C.J. Box, Anthony Award winning author of Blue Heaven on Jar City

“Indridason keeps readers guessing until the very last pages.”
- Washington Post Book World on The Draining Lake

“Excellent . . . compelling . . . the denouement of this astonishingly vivid and subtle novel is unexpected and immensely satisfying.”
- Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Silence of the Grave

"A must-visit locale for mystery fans."
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch on The Draining Lake

“Classic mystery fiction, both compassionate and thrilling. Indridason is one of the brightest stars in the the genre's dark skies.”
- John Connolly on Jar City

“Remarkable . . . another top-notch story from Indridason, its lyrical melancholy matched by the depth of its characterizations.”
- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) on Voices

“Reminiscent of Simenon.”
- Reginald Hill on Jar City

“Every one of these writers is good [Hakan Nesser, Kjell Eriksson, Ake Edwardson, Helene Tursten, Karin Fossum], but in my book, Arnaldur Indridason is even better.”
- Joe Queenan, Los Angeles Times

“Dark, haunting . . . touched me in a way that few mystery novels do.”
- Hallie Ephron, The Boston Globe on Jar City

“A wonderfully storyteller. It's impossible to put the book down once you begin reading.”
- The Globe and Mail on Voices

"An undiluted pleasure. This series places Indridason at the center of the best of contemporary crime fiction. He is a master storyteller, and has a real gift for evoking complex humanity."
- The Guardian on The Draining Lake

“Fans of mystery in general and Henning Mankell and Karin Fossum can only exult.”
- Library Journal (starred review) on Jar City

“Indridason has definitely vaulted onto the A-list of Scandinavian crime authors.”
- Booklist on Silence of the Grave

Edition details

• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0312358733
• ISBN 13: 9780312358730
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320