# The End of the Sahara - Paperback

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by **Said Khatibi** (Author), **Alexander Elinson** (Translator)

**On an early autumn morning in 1988, on the outskirts of an unnamed Algerian city, a shepherd stumbles upon the lifeless body of Zaza Zaghouani, a stunning nightclub singer who left her hometown seeking a brighter future.**

The story is set in 1988 Algeria. It takes place in just forty days, ending as mass protests erupt in the country. In a small town on the edge of the desert, plagued by a locust infestation and a food shortage, teetering on the brink of uprising, the body of Zakia Zaghouani--the singer at the Sahara Hotel--is discovered. Suspicion immediately falls on her lover, who is thrown into prison. The incompetent and greedy Inspector Hamid begins an investigation. So does the defense lawyer of the main suspect. Family, friends, and close ones give their testimonies, finding themselves confronted with their past. Secrets, betrayals, grudges, but also dreams and hopes shed light on their connection to the victim: each person harbors, for one reason or another, the desire to take revenge on her.

"Khatibi layers the story with vivid detail. Alexander Elinson's translation from the Arabic feels lively and authentic. Khatibi handles each character with care and skill, unpeeling their personal stories, their web of connections and the grim reality of life in a one-party dictatorship." **_Financial Times: Best Thrillers of the Month_** "Mr Khatibi's book is cinematic, kaleidoscopic and tragic--a splendid achievement."--**_Wall Street Journal_**"Brilliant." ---**_NPR's Fresh Air_**"Elegant prose and a keen sense of place help bring the narrative to life. It's a solid whodunit that doubles as a captivating look at a country in transition." _**Publishers Weekly**__**KIRKUS STARRED REVIEW:**_ "In the fall of 1988, shortly before the outbreak of mass youth riots in Algeria over unemployment and a lack of basic goods, a town's collective anger over the murder of a nightclub singer reflects what's to come. An absorbing novel that should broaden Khatibi's following.""Evocative, brooding, and perfectly hard-boiled!"--- **_CrimeReads_**"Showcasing Said Khatibi's genuinely compelling, narrative-driven storytelling style, "The End of the Sahara" is a singularly riveting, suspense-driven read from start to finish. Unreservedly recommended."---**_MBR (Midwestern Book Review)_**  

### Author Biography

**Saïd Khatibi** is a novelist, travel writer, translator, and journalist born in 1984 in Bou Saâda, Algeria. He currently lives in Slovenia. He writes in Arabic and French and translates between both. His novel _Sarajevo Firewood_, was shortlisted for the 2020 International Prize for Arabic Fiction and was his first novel translated into English. His other novels are _The Book of Errors_ which was published in 2013, and _Forty Years Waiting for Isabelle_ which won the 2017 Katara Award for Arabic Novels. He has written a travel book about the Balkans, _The Inflamed Gardens of the East_, 2015, and has written extensively on raï music, including a book (_Wedding Fire_, 2010). _The End of the Sahara_ won the Sheikh Zayed Book Award Young Author category in 2023.

**Number of Pages:** 336

**Dimensions:** 1.18 x 7.72 x 5.04 IN

**Publication Date:** March 24, 2026

## Details

- **Price:** 24.95 GBP
- **Vendor:** BooksCloud
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books, Crime, Fiction, International Crime & Mystery, Middle East, Mystery & Detective, Price Written on Book, Thrillers, World Literature

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 24.95 GBP | Out of stock |

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> Updated: 2026-08-22