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Finding Nouf
Finding Nouf: A Novel | Zoë Ferraris
14 posts | 28 read | 16 to read
Zoë Ferraris’s electrifying debut of taut psychological suspense offers an unprecedented window into Saudi Arabia and the lives of men and women there. When sixteen-year-old Nouf goes missing, along with a truck and her favorite camel, her prominent family calls on Nayir al-Sharqi, a desert guide, to lead a search party. Ten days later, just as Nayir is about to give up in frustration, her body is discovered by anonymous desert travelers. But when the coroner’s office determines that Nouf died not of dehydration but from drowning, and her family seems suspiciously uninterested in getting at the truth, Nayir takes it upon himself to find out what really happened to her. This mission will push gentle, hulking, pious Nayir, a Palestinian orphan raised by his bachelor uncle, to delve into the secret life of a rich, protected teenage girl -- in one of the most rigidly gender-segregated of Middle Eastern societies. Initially horrified at the idea of a woman bold enough to bare her face and to work in public, Nayir soon realizes that if he wants to gain access to the hidden world of women, he will have to join forces with Katya Hijazi, a lab worker at the coroner’s office. Their partnership challenges Nayir, bringing him face to face with his desire for female companionship and the limitations imposed by his beliefs. It also ultimately leads them both to surprising revelations. Fast-paced and utterly transporting, Finding Nouf offers an intimate glimpse inside a closed society and a riveting literary mystery.
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The.Great.Catsby
Finding Nouf: A Novel | Zoë Ferraris
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Mehso-so

I started reading this in 2021. I only read a couple chapters, then lost interest. But because my MIL recommended it, I felt the need to give it another try. I recently got Audible and found the audiobook there.
It was pretty good, a solid 3 stars. I liked it enough to finish it, the reveals were unexpected. This is part of a series, but will not continue. ðŸªðŸ‘ 

05.02.2024

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vonnie862
Finding Nouf: A Novel | Zoë Ferraris
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Finding Nouf by Zoe Ferraris

This was a great mystery set in Saudi Arabia. I need to read the next book in the series.

#AlphabetGame
#LetterF
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing!! 2y
29 likes1 stack add1 comment
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TorieStorieS
Finding Nouf: A Novel | Zoë Ferraris
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Mehso-so

This wasn‘t my original choice for #SaudiArabia - this month‘s country for the #ReadAroundTheWorld challenge, but when I read @BookwormM ‘s review, I quickly switched to this one- a mystery set in a combination of coastal & desert city with a missing teenager seemed interesting! And this is- the setting feels hotly vibrant & the characters do feel realistic though frustrating at times. It‘s a series but I don‘t feel connected enough to continue!

BookwormM Shame you didn‘t enjoy it 4y
TorieStorieS @BookwormM I really enjoyed the setting, and thought the author handled explaining cultural details very well- but I had some issues with the pacing and the plot‘s plausibility. I think it would be a great book for a book club though - lots to discuss!! 4y
53 likes2 comments
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cajunsyd
Finding Nouf: A Novel | Zoë Ferraris
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I found this book set in Saudi Arabia in my local bookstore. No expectations, so far so good.

41 likes1 stack add
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Librarybelle
Finding Nouf: A Novel | Zoë Ferraris
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Pickpick

An amazing look into Saudi Arabian culture, this is the first in a mystery series featuring Nayir ash-Sharqi. When his friend‘s sister goes missing, and is later found dead, Nayir is asked to discreetly look into the case. What he discovers is a web of lies, and finding the truth isn‘t very easy.

I would eagerly read another by Ferraris. I loved the writing style, and Ferraris‘ knowledge is first hand - she at one point lived in Saudi Arabia.

68 likes3 stack adds
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Librarybelle
Finding Nouf: A Novel | Zoë Ferraris
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eanderson Love!!! 💕💕💕💕 7y
Cinfhen 😻😹😻 7y
BookishMe I enjoyed reading about Bedouins and the desert way of life. Need to read the sequel ;D 7y
See All 7 Comments
BookishMe The colour seems like a sandy base for the book and cat! ;p 7y
Librarybelle @BookishMe The color scheme does work...I didn‘t think of that! 😂 This book is so good! My knowledge base of this area is very limited, so I‘m learning a lot and am enjoying how she writes. 7y
EvieBee @BookishMe Yes! The second and third books raise the stakes. So good! 7y
EvieBee @Librarybelle So glad you‘re enjoying it. 7y
85 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Librarybelle
Finding Nouf: A Novel | Zoë Ferraris
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Taking a break from Oldest Living Confederate Widow to start this, this month‘s selection for my mystery group. I haven‘t had a lazy Saturday in awhile, so soaking up some reading time with #Zeke . #catsoflitsy

EvieBee This is one of my favorites series ever!!! So excited for you. They just get better and better. Fans have been begging for a new book and I am one of them. 🤓 7y
Librarybelle @EvieBee I love the writing style so far! 7y
83 likes2 comments
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Chessa
Finding Nouf: A Novel | Zoë Ferraris
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Not sure why my cat is laughing hysterically at my picks for #BooksSetInTheMiddleEast but here we are. #TheReadingWomen / Day 16.

vivastory I loved An Unnecessary Woman. Great picture! 8y
LeahBergen 😂 8y
Chessa @vivastory Thanks! Makes up for all the times the cats are uncooperative. 😹 8y
59 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Suzy200
The Night Of The Mi'raj | Zoë Ferraris
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Pickpick

Solid whodunnit albeit somewhat predictable. Well defined characters and interesting dynamics in this Saudi world of veiled woman & desert guides. A girl goes missing, the guide investigates and has his beliefs challenged by a woman in the coroner's office. Quick holiday read you'll have to wrestle from the cat.

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WhiteDayLilies
Finding Nouf: A Novel | Zoë Ferraris
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Pickpick

This book was great in more ways than one. I learned about a culture that I'm unfamiliar with while reading a thrilling mystery with amazing characters! Seriously, it was hard not to root for the two heroes in their search to discover what happened to Nouf! Scandals, family, a budding love story?â¤ï¸

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WhiteDayLilies
Finding Nouf: A Novel | Zoë Ferraris
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I'm so lucky I can read in the car :). End of the long weekend means a 4hr drive home and Finding Nouf just revealed some new clues!

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WhiteDayLilies
Finding Nouf: A Novel | Zoë Ferraris
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This book is part of my @bookriot Read Harder Challenge and at the risk of sounding kind of ignorant, it is opening my eyes to the Muslim culture. I'm finding it very interesting! I'm loving Nayir's character so much!