Finding Nouf

By: Zoe Ferraris

Narrated by: Pete Bradbury

Zoe Ferraris' debut novel is hailed as a startling, richly textured work. With Finding Nouf, Ferraris delivers an electrifying page-turner that is at once a murder mystery and an intriguing glimpse into the culture of Saudi Arabia.

Nayir al-Sharqi, known by his friends for religious piety and his Bedouin-like knowledge of the desert, lends his assistance to a wealthy family when their soon to-be-married daughter Nouf goes missing. After a short search, the girl is found dead, apparently drowned in the desert during a freak deluge. Something about her death doesn't sit well with Nayir, however, and he makes an uncomfortable alliance with a female coroner's technician to determine what really happened.

The riveting mystery in Finding Nouf is complemented by the novel's engaging protagonist, whose romantic awakening will linger long in readers' thoughts.

©2008 Zoe Ferraris (P)2008 Recorded Books, LLC

Not as Good as City of Veils

If you could sum up Finding Nouf in three words, what would they be?

Interesting story but it drags in spot. At times character introspection makes the story lag way too much.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

This is not a story to keep you hanging on the edge of your seat. The solution is pretty obvious early on. Consequently it has moments where the story really drags. It is less of a mystery than an exploration of chraacters. I got really fed up with Nair and his thoughts. I am not a reader who like to spend too much time with characters whose thoughts fill too many pages.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

At first I didn't like the narration but I guess it suited the story which was very male oriented. However, the narrator is not good with female voices. Simon Prebble he is not. The narrator was OK but not great.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It took me several days to listen to this book as I would get bored with it frequently.

Any additional comments?

A better book by this author is City of Veils which is a very gripping mystery story and moves along well. This book has too many spots where it drags.

Well crafted and informative

I especially like to learn about a different place in the world while listening to a good story. This is that and then some! Such well crafted characters and expertly plotted, I really enjoyed learning more about Saudi culture while trying to figure out a good mystery. So glad there's a next in the series!

A memior of his family

What I had heard about this book led me to downloading the book. However, I found it slightly different than I had been told. I did like learning about another way of life.

Excellent story, fascinating cultural details.

I enjoyed the story. The setting was particularly intriguing and a fantastic read. The cultural details were unique and interesting.

Fascinating Culture, So-So Murder Mystery

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I enjoyed learning about the country more than who done it, honestly.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

It was interesting to see how law enforcement worked over in the middle east and how the culture differed from my own.

What aspect of Pete Bradbury’s performance would you have changed?

Nothing, really.

Was Finding Nouf worth the listening time?

I'm normally not much of a murder mystery guy, but yes, I'd say this was worth the read. More so because the middle east fascinates me then for the actual mystery, but still...

Good mystery with Saudi accuracy

The butler didn't do it, and I had a hard time figuring it out until near the end. I lived in Saudi Arabia for a year, and the culteral backdrop is accurate in my opinion.

An Interesting View into Another Culture

I find the best detective stories are often not about the crime. Instead they're about the world in which the crime happens.
This is a view into the world of Muslim women that I suspect is neither romaticised or vilified. The whole premise turns on the men in this woman's life who have no idea who she is. It's not a quiveringly good book but it's a good read and a fascinating glimpse into another world.

Enjoyed the story as well as the cultural background

Enjoyed the story, as well as the cultural background. I would read another book by this author.

transported

I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. While there is a whodunit at the center of the storyline, I was captivated by the many details of daily life in Saudi Arabia. Inside the head of a righteous Muslim, the retrictions on women from clothing to needing a driver or male escort to the difficult, if not impossible, effort to get to know a member of the opposite sex. Give it a listen!

Should be read by everyone

What did you love best about Finding Nouf?

The perspective of life in Saudi Arabia - the role of women.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nayir - his knowledge of the desert and the fact that, while being very traditional, he is able to be open to the changes around him - particularly those of the roles of women.

Which character – as performed by Pete Bradbury – was your favorite?

Nouf's sister.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Only that I have been telling everyone I know to read it.

Any additional comments?

Unique approach by a detective, dealing with the death of a young woman, in a totally "veiled" society. I feel that everyone should read this for a better understanding of this part of the world.