"The Draining Lake" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In "The Draining Lake" by Arnaldur Indriðason, Erlendur, Sigurdur Oli, and Elinborg are detectives working on a cold case. Marion Briem is the victim whose body is discovered in a drained lake. Elías is Marion's husband, Haraldur is her son, and Sigríður is her best friend. Karlsson is the forensic pathologist, Bergthora is the lab technician, Valgerður is a witness, Valgerður's son is a suspect, and Bjarni is Marion's ex-boyfriend.

Character Descriptions

• Erlendur: Erlendur is the main protagonist and a seasoned detective. He is described as a loner, haunted by his past, and dedicated to solving crimes. He is known for his intuitive nature and determination.
• Sigurdur Oli: Sigurdur Oli is Erlendur's colleague and a detective with a more conventional approach. He is ambitious, confident, and often clashes with Erlendur's methods.
• Elinborg: Elinborg is another detective in the team. She is hardworking, meticulous, and compassionate. She often serves as the mediator between Erlendur and Sigurdur Oli.
• Marion Briem: Marion Briem is the victim whose body is found in the drained lake. She was a young woman who disappeared under mysterious circumstances during the Cold War era.
• Elías: Elías is Marion's husband and a potential suspect in her disappearance. He is described as a reserved and enigmatic person.
• Haraldur: Haraldur is Marion's son, who was just a child when she disappeared. He is now an adult and still affected by the trauma of losing his mother.
• Sigríður: Sigríður is Marion's best friend. She provides insights into Marion's life and personality, adding depth to the investigation.
• Karlsson: Karlsson is the forensic pathologist who examines the body and provides crucial evidence for the case.
• Bergthora: Bergthora is the lab technician who assists the detectives in analyzing forensic evidence.
• Valgerður: Valgerður is a witness who claims to have seen Marion on the night of her disappearance.
• Valgerður's Son: Valgerður's son becomes a suspect in the case due to his connection to Marion.
• Bjarni: Bjarni is Marion's ex-boyfriend, and his past relationship with her becomes a point of interest in the investigation.

Character Traits

• Erlendur: Intuitive, determined, haunted, loner.
• Sigurdur Oli: Ambitious, confident, conventional.
• Elinborg: Hardworking, meticulous, compassionate.
• Marion Briem: Mysterious, victimized, young.
• Elías: Reserved, enigmatic.
• Haraldur: Traumatized, affected, adult.
• Sigríður: Loyal, insightful, friend.
• Karlsson: Analytical, knowledgeable, forensic expert.
• Bergthora: Assisting, analytical, lab technician.
• Valgerður: Witness, potentially crucial.
• Valgerður's Son: Suspect, connection to Marion.
• Bjarni: Ex-boyfriend, potential relevance to the case.

Character Background

Erlendur, Sigurdur Oli, and Elinborg are detectives in the Reykjavik police force. Erlendur is known for his dedication to solving cold cases, often driven by personal experiences and unresolved issues from his past. Sigurdur Oli, on the other hand, is more focused on advancing his career and adheres to traditional investigative methods. Elinborg brings her meticulousness and empathy to the team, forming a strong trio.

Marion Briem, the victim, disappeared during the Cold War era, leaving behind a mystery that has haunted her family and friends for decades. Her husband, Elías, remains a figure of suspicion due to his reserved and enigmatic nature. Marion's son, Haraldur, grew up with the trauma of losing his mother and has carried it into adulthood.

Sigríður, Marion's best friend, provides valuable insights into Marion's life and personality. Her loyalty and friendship become crucial in unraveling the secrets surrounding Marion's disappearance. Karlsson, the forensic pathologist, and Bergthora, the lab technician, contribute their expertise in analyzing the evidence, which becomes instrumental in solving the case.

Valgerður, a witness, claims to have seen Marion on the night of her disappearance, adding a potential breakthrough to the investigation. Valgerður's son, however, becomes a suspect due to his connection to Marion. Bjarni, Marion's ex-boyfriend, also becomes a person of interest, as his past relationship with her may hold key information.

Character Arcs

Erlendur's character arc revolves around his personal demons and unresolved traumas from his past. Through the investigation into Marion's disappearance, he confronts his own demons and finds closure, allowing him to grow as a person and detective. Sigurdur Oli's character arc involves a shift in perspective as he learns the value of intuition and unconventional methods through working with Erlendur. He becomes more open-minded and gains a deeper understanding of his colleague's approach. Elinborg's character arc focuses on her development as a mediator between Erlendur and Sigurdur Oli, refining her skills as a detective and becoming more confident in her own abilities.

Marion's character arc is revealed through the investigation, uncovering her secrets, motivations, and the circumstances leading to her disappearance. Elías, Haraldur, Sigríður, and other supporting characters also experience their own emotional journeys as they come to terms with Marion's fate and the impact it has had on their lives.

Relationships

The relationship between Erlendur, Sigurdur Oli, and Elinborg is one of camaraderie mixed with occasional tension. While Erlendur and Sigurdur Oli often clash due to their differing investigative styles, Elinborg serves as the bridge, maintaining a harmonious dynamic within the team.

Marion's relationship with Elías is marked by mystery and suspicion. Elías becomes a person of interest due to his reserved and enigmatic nature, leading the detectives to question his involvement in Marion's disappearance. Haraldur's relationship with his mother is explored through his emotional journey as he grapples with the trauma of losing her and the impact it has had on his life.

Sigríður's friendship with Marion is portrayed as loyal and insightful, providing valuable information to the investigation. The relationship between Karlsson and Bergthora showcases their professional collaboration, with Karlsson relying on Bergthora's expertise as a lab technician to analyze the evidence. Valgerður's relationship with her son becomes strained as he becomes a suspect in Marion's disappearance, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation. Bjarni's past relationship with Marion raises questions about his potential involvement in her disappearance.

In "The Draining Lake," Arnaldur Indriðason masterfully weaves these character dynamics together to create a captivating and suspenseful narrative. The characters' backgrounds, traits, and relationships add depth to the story, showcasing the complexities of human nature and the impact of a long-unsolved mystery.