The Draining Lake is a 2004 crime novel by Icelandic author Arnaldur Indriðason

Arnaldur Indriðason

Arnaldur Indriðason is an Icelandic writer of crime fiction. He has repeatedly proved to be the most popular writer in Iceland in recent years — topping bestseller lists year after year...

, another entry in the multi award-winning Detective Erlendur series.

The title is based on a real Icelandic lake Kleifarvatn

Kleifarvatn

Kleifarvatn is the largest lake on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland, situated in the southern part of the peninsula on the fissure zone of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The lake can be reached via a track, and there are two areas with high temperature that can be found not far from it: Seltún/Krýsuvík...

, which began draining away in 2000 following an earthquake. In the novel, the dropping water level reveals a body long hidden in the lake.