Review of Good People by Patmeena Sabit

A gripping literary crime novel where snippets of interviews, articles and reports piece together what happened leading up to and after the mysterious death of Afghan American teenager Zorah Sharaf. From members of the Muslim Afghan community in North Virginia, Zorah’s closest friends from school, to the county police, we hear many different and conflicting opinions on the Sharaf family and what they thought happened the night Zorah died. Was it a tragic accident or was she murdered by her family for dishonouring their name and bringing shame upon them? 

What a fascinating story on young women in Afghani culture. Zorah’s disobedience and betrayal of her family’s Islamic culture by sneaking around with a young man out of wedlock was such a great shame on the family her father even said he’d murder her for it. Months later and she’s dead in a tragic car accident.

What really happened? Everyone thinks they know the family. A truly gripping novel on “honour” crimes and all perspectives and narratives surrounding a crime investigation.

Reviewed by Victoria

Published on 12/02/26 by Virago

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