Good People - after tragedy strikes, an Afghan family faces a clash of cultures.

When Rahmat and Maryam Sharaf left Afghanistan for northern Virginia, they sought a better life, the American Dream. After early challenges, Rahmat worked hard and overcame many obstacles to amass enough wealth to buy a large home, providing for his wife and four children, who were born in the U.S.  Rahmat and Maryam strived to maintain their Afghan customs and beliefs, which proved difficult when their teenage daughter Zorah began to feel trapped by her parents' guidelines and expectations. When tragedy strikes, not only does the law become involved, but the court of public opinion also weighs in, as everyone seems to have an opinion about the Sharaf family. 

Good People is Patmeena Sabit's impressive debut novel. It is a thought-provoking book that offers no easy answers. It is advisable to avoid reading recaps of this book that might disclose the details of the shocking event that takes place. About halfway through, this family drama evolves into a mystery. The author has written the book as a series of interviews with friends, neighbors, journalists, and others, resembling a modern-day Greek chorus. The Sharaf family members do not get to share their perspectives, making it difficult to know who to believe. The individuals we hear from come from diverse cultural backgrounds, each revealing their own biases. Through their voices, we, as readers, are tasked with deciding who are the "good people" in this engaging story. 

Rated 4.25 out of 5 stars.

Contemporary Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery.

February 3, 2026.

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