Finding Nouf by Zoe Ferraris

Finding Nouf was published way back in 2008 by Houghton Mifflin. So no, this is not a self-published/indie literary novel I'm reviewing though I'm extremely open to reviewing self-published/indie literary novels! However, Finding Nouf is literary and a mystery. Yes, it's a literary mystery. Well written too! (Literary, mystery, and well written don't go together all that often.) (And I've used the word literary in this paragraph six times.)


Finding Nouf takes place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the mystery is about a dead sixteen year old girl and her very much alive and wealthy family. The  big question: Was her death an accident or murder? The unlikely duo of Ms. Katya Hijazi, a lab technician in the coroner's office, and Mr. Nayir ash-Sharqi, a desert guide, solve the mystery.  This pair is unusual because they aren't married or related in any way but do solve this mystery together, and this is one of the most interesting elements of the novel given Saudi Arabia's strict rules about gender. I highly recommend Finding Nouf.