The folks at Little, Brown and Company were kind enough to send me a copy of the book “Kingdom of Strangers” by Zoë Ferraris. I really like murder mysteries and this one is one of the best I’ve ever read. It’s about a serial killer running loose in Saudi Arabia and the cultural and religious restrictions that are placed on the women helping the investigation.
According to the press agent, Ms. Ferraris lived in Saudi Arabia and is quite familiar with the difficulties of being a woman in that culture. The title of the book refers to the “guest workers” in Saudi Arabia and their relationship to the odd culture in which they find themselves – which results in them being the victims of this particular serial killer.
The book not only is a very good story about solving a gruesome crime, but also shines a light on the problems Saudi Arabia faces in a 21st century world with their seventh century cultural restrictions. You should add this book to your stack of summer reading.
” . . . a 21st century world with their seventh century cultural restrictions. ” —
The GULF Of Araby, now has new meaning .