Had a really hard time getting into this. I think the idea of the novel is great, but I think the writing style made it hard to get into.

Thank you NetGalley and Red Hen Press for my DRC.

This is a book that powerfully tells the story of refugees. We are on the island of Samos in Greece, where the author is conducting a series of investigations into the numerous refugees who have arrived there in search of a better life.
Thanks to his research and the immense human element embedded in his writing style, the story is very evocative. Many of the images described and brought to the readers' minds have a strong emotional impact because they depict the hardships these people face, their past, and sometimes the brutalities they had to endure to set foot on Greek soil.

The characters' stories in this novel blend seamlessly, weaving a dense and moving narrative that is greatly enhanced and strengthened by the portrayal of courageous and strong women in their wanderings.
This is a story that deals a lot with the past and the desire to look to the future to color heartbreaking stories with hope. At the same time, it serves as a valuable reminder of what people flee from when they choose—voluntarily or not, often being victims of circumstances and the impossibility of living in their war-torn and unstable home countries—to undertake such a desperate journey into the unknown.


A detailed article will be published in June on my Medium blog and social media. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to read this novel, which I appreciated in every aspect.

I found this to be a heartbreaking but thought provoking examination of privilege and the experiences of so many female refugees around the world. A very meaningful read that I think will stay with me for a long time and that very aptly discusses savior complexes and their dangers.

I will say at some points the writing and plot became a little bit cliche. However the vivid details of the storytelling and the skillful interweaving of the narratives far outshines any momentary cliches.

Overall, a novel I will definitely be recommending.

A beautifully written, heartbreaking novel about refugees - of countries, political strife, and devastating family situations. This interwoven story explores situations that others face as they seek better circumstances - whether for honor, asylum or self-care - and explores how misunderstandings, culture, and ego can impact those circumstances with irreparable harm. The Good Deed explores many aspects of a topic that we rarely glimpse except through representation such as in this poignant novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and Red Hen Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is an engaging novel set on the beautiful island of Samos in Greece. Four women, four different life stories full of grief. Helen Benedict describes all these points of view in a gripping little novel that will make you think differently about all these refugees who nearly drown trying to find a better life - only to find themselves in new very difficult circumstances.

A powerful and fictional story based on truistic accounts of refugees on the island of Samos in Greece. The author uses her experiences researching refugees and refugee camps and turns them into a fascinating, dramatic, and all-too-realistic book.

Benedict writes about the harrowing adventures the refugees endured as they crossed the seas in flimsy-built boats, hooked up with crooked boat captains and smugglers who stole their money and the racism they felt from the locals who didn't want them on their island. However, the gist of the story was the strong relationships between the women who, despite what they had experienced find friendship with one another, giving each other hope as they fought for better lives outside of the refugee camp.

The Good Deed is an entertaining, nail-biter that reminds readers of what migrants and refugees are going through today as they leave their war-torn and impoverished countries hoping for better lives.