Saudi Arabian women are still expected to wear a veil (burka) and stay at home, but Katya will not be one, especially when it comes to investigating murder. Katya, a Saudi modern woman, was excited to get a job as an investigator on the Jeddah police force, especially when she was allowed to investigate the brutal murder of a woman who had no identity and whose face was burned beyond recognition.
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Miriam Walker, an American, arrives in Jeddah to meet her husband who works there with a private security firm. After sitting next to a total stranger on the plane, who seems a bit too friendly, she is anxious to get home and be with her husband. As soon as they arrive home, Eric Walker, goes to get some dinner but disappears shortly after bringing it home. After several hours Miriam is so distraught she checks with his friends and then calls the U.S. Embassy.
A body washes up on the beach discovered by a passer by. It is a female, with stab wounds all over her body, her neck is broken and she has had hot oil poured over her face and hands. She is taken to the police lab.
The rules is Jeddah are that no woman can go out alone, must always be covered and stays home to raise her family and do what her husband says. But when a new law would allow women to work, Katya jumped at the chance. She had a desire to a police woman but the closet she could do was work in the lab or investigations. She jumped at the chance to help find out who the dead woman was.
Although she had to accompany the male chief investigator, she discovered who the woman was, where she came from, what her secret life was and the constant rude treatment of the male. Her investigation also helps to bring back the one man, Nayir, she had had a relationship with.
Through connections they never thought were leading anywhere, Katya and Nayir find Miriam's husband and the mysterious man on the plane were actually acquaintances, and the dead woman, Leila, had also been working with the mysterious man. When he tries to kidnap Miriam and find a missing disk, the mystery comes full circle. Leila's own cousin is investigated and convicted for her death. He is beheaded in the public square.
Katya gets her man, is recognized for her good work and Miriam goes back to America.
Best part of story, including ending:
I hate the fact that in this age the woman still have to be treated like servants.
Best scene in story:
I like that Katya stood up to the men that tried to ignore her and treat her like dirt.
Opinion about the main character:
I liked Katya for standing up - even lying - to get what she really wanted.
