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. he police are called in and Erlendur, El nborg and Sigurdur li begin their investigation, which 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. Slowly, a trail begins to emerge, leading 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 revenged. he Draining Lake is another remarkable Reykjav k Murder Mystery. It describes passions and shattered dreams, the fate of the missing and the grief of those left behind. It is Arnaldur Indri ason s most gripping book yet.