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Theft of the Ruby Lotus
Ria Bailey finds herself in quite a fix, and it's all because of a strange treasure that turns up in the mail one fateful day. It might be a ruby, and it just might hold the key to some troubling developments in her life. Most importantly, if she and her besties Miracle Owusu and Annie Hernandez can trace the significance and stay one step ahead of the mysterious strangers tracking their moves through the Metropolitan Museum of Art and out into the city streets of New York, then just maybe Ria can turn things around for herself.
Sayantani DasGupta returns in rare form with a brand new story that's part love letter to the Metropolitan Museum and New York City immigrant families, part twisting and turning heist, and completely an examination of where art belongs, who gets to keep it, and what it means to be on display.
Sayantani DasGupta returns in rare form with a brand new story that's part love letter to the Metropolitan Museum and New York City immigrant families, part twisting and turning heist, and completely an examination of where art belongs, who gets to keep it, and what it means to be on display.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Ria Bailey is irritated that her mother, Dr. Mena Basu, was let go from her job at the Metropolitan Museum of art, so has taken a job in Tubingen Germany. Ria doesn't want to leave their Hell's Kitchen neighborhood or her best friends, Miracle and Annie. Her class is having a sleepover at the museum, and Ria thinks it would be embarrassing to go, so when her Dida (grandmother) goes to spend the night so she can attend a family event, Ria decides to stay home by herself. This changes when she opens a package addressed to her mother and finds the Ruby that belongs in the Lotus Sword at the museum. On her way, she meets a very cute boy, Zakir, outside. It turns out that the tech bro owner of Hive Incorporated is "on the case" of the missing stone, and the sword is to be turned back over to India. The museum has been struggling with the issue of returning valuable artifacts to the countries from which they were unfairly taken; Dr. Basu has been vocal about this, and Ria assumes that this has something to do with the fact her mother was let go. Since the sword is worth $300 million, it's not a surprise when Ria and her friends run into motorcycle riding Lotus Society members who warn her against getting involved. One of them drops a glove, and Ria decides to try to locate the ladies by tracing the dry cleaning ticket inside of it. A family friend at the dry cleaners gives Ria the name and address of the owner, as well as help obtaining a taxi, and soon the girls are deeply involved in a potentially dangerous mystery. Ria finds out some surprising family history, and discovers that neither Zakir not Eli Purchase are quite whom they appear to be. Will Ria and her friends be able to locate the sword and return it to the museum so that it can go to its proper home, and will this allow Dr. Basu to keep her job?
Strengths: I loved the author's note that she wanted to replicate a little of the magic of Konigsberg's 1967 From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, a title which I think holds up even after all these years. Ria has a vested interest in the Lotus Sword, even more than she realizes, and her dedication to saving it is admirable. Her friends are great foils for her; Miracle is a little more concerned for everyone's safety, and Annie is all about smashing the colonizing patriarchy, even when her own safety might benefit from moving on! Luckily for Ria, she runs into many people that either she or her friends know, and they are helpful on multiple occasions. There's some fun technology thrown in, and a great villain. Zakir is an interesting addition, since Ria is not too busy to appreciate a cute boy. There is a lot of action and adventure in this book, Plus many fun moments, like dressing for the Met Gala. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ria involved in more adventures, but this could be a stand alone as well.
Weaknesses: Ria made a LOT of bad choices. She shouldn't have opened her mother's package, and it never seems to occur to her to let the authorities know about the ruby instead of carrying it around on her own. Of course, if she HAD observed standard safety protocols, the story would have been fairly boring.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Northrup's Tombquest series, Gibbs' Charlie Thorne series, or Baptiste's Moko Magic, which also addresses the idea of repatriating museum artifacts.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
Ria Bailey is irritated that her mother, Dr. Mena Basu, was let go from her job at the Metropolitan Museum of art, so has taken a job in Tubingen Germany. Ria doesn't want to leave their Hell's Kitchen neighborhood or her best friends, Miracle and Annie. Her class is having a sleepover at the museum, and Ria thinks it would be embarrassing to go, so when her Dida (grandmother) goes to spend the night so she can attend a family event, Ria decides to stay home by herself. This changes when she opens a package addressed to her mother and finds the Ruby that belongs in the Lotus Sword at the museum. On her way, she meets a very cute boy, Zakir, outside. It turns out that the tech bro owner of Hive Incorporated is "on the case" of the missing stone, and the sword is to be turned back over to India. The museum has been struggling with the issue of returning valuable artifacts to the countries from which they were unfairly taken; Dr. Basu has been vocal about this, and Ria assumes that this has something to do with the fact her mother was let go. Since the sword is worth $300 million, it's not a surprise when Ria and her friends run into motorcycle riding Lotus Society members who warn her against getting involved. One of them drops a glove, and Ria decides to try to locate the ladies by tracing the dry cleaning ticket inside of it. A family friend at the dry cleaners gives Ria the name and address of the owner, as well as help obtaining a taxi, and soon the girls are deeply involved in a potentially dangerous mystery. Ria finds out some surprising family history, and discovers that neither Zakir not Eli Purchase are quite whom they appear to be. Will Ria and her friends be able to locate the sword and return it to the museum so that it can go to its proper home, and will this allow Dr. Basu to keep her job?
Strengths: I loved the author's note that she wanted to replicate a little of the magic of Konigsberg's 1967 From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, a title which I think holds up even after all these years. Ria has a vested interest in the Lotus Sword, even more than she realizes, and her dedication to saving it is admirable. Her friends are great foils for her; Miracle is a little more concerned for everyone's safety, and Annie is all about smashing the colonizing patriarchy, even when her own safety might benefit from moving on! Luckily for Ria, she runs into many people that either she or her friends know, and they are helpful on multiple occasions. There's some fun technology thrown in, and a great villain. Zakir is an interesting addition, since Ria is not too busy to appreciate a cute boy. There is a lot of action and adventure in this book, Plus many fun moments, like dressing for the Met Gala. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ria involved in more adventures, but this could be a stand alone as well.
Weaknesses: Ria made a LOT of bad choices. She shouldn't have opened her mother's package, and it never seems to occur to her to let the authorities know about the ruby instead of carrying it around on her own. Of course, if she HAD observed standard safety protocols, the story would have been fairly boring.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Northrup's Tombquest series, Gibbs' Charlie Thorne series, or Baptiste's Moko Magic, which also addresses the idea of repatriating museum artifacts.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What worked:
Ria has a complicated relationship with her mother. Her mother works for the Metropolitan Museum, but she spends much of her time trying to get relics returned to the countries from which they were stolen. The book opens with the mother announcing that Ria and her grandmother will be moving to Germany with her. The mother is not present for much of the story. Ria doesn’t understand why her mother suddenly left the museum, or was fired, so Ria is left to make up answers when problems and questions arise. A news article reports that robbers attempted to steal a legendary sword from India, but they were only able to pry a large, red ruby from it. Then, Ria finds the ruby and a cryptic message in an envelope mailed to her mother. Did her mother help steal it? Who mailed it?
The plot is the mystery surrounding the sword and the stolen ruby. Who stole the Ruby, and why was it mailed to Ria’s mother? Who is the cute boy Ria meets outside the museum? He keeps showing up, but Ria’s friends don’t trust him. Who are the two women they keep seeing, and are they part of the Lotus Society, a radical group started in the early 1970s? Is the Lotus Society still active, and are they the thieves targeting the sword and ruby? How much trouble are Ria and her friends in for attempting to return the ruby to the museum?
Each chapter is titled with “In Which…” and three comments that hint at events to come. For example, one chapter is titled “In Which We Make a Discovery in a Bathroom Stall, Concoct a Concept of a Plan, and Get Spied On.” Another says, “In Which We Are Suspects on the Run, Hide Behind Some Gods, and Do a Little Bit More Stealing.” The titles prepare readers for the chapter, and some of them add a little humor. A section after the plot’s resolution provides information about some concepts in the story. Repatriation is at the heart of the conflict, holograms become important, and ideas about the Indian queen and sword are based on real history.
What didn’t work as well:
Ria, Annie, and Miracle come from three different cultures, but it doesn’t work as well in this book. Ria has some Indian in her; the narrative is told in her first -person voice, and the sword comes from India. Her culture is well-represented, but details about the other ones are somewhat lost amid the adventure and descriptions of the Indian culture. Perhaps the other cultures will be more important in the future, but they didn’t work as well as they might have.
The final verdict:
The mystery offers twists and turns, as Ria and her friends try to identify their opponents and repatriate the sword and ruby to India. Young readers will learn a bit about Indian culture as the characters avoid trouble and danger all around New York City. I recommend you try this book for yourself.
Ria has a complicated relationship with her mother. Her mother works for the Metropolitan Museum, but she spends much of her time trying to get relics returned to the countries from which they were stolen. The book opens with the mother announcing that Ria and her grandmother will be moving to Germany with her. The mother is not present for much of the story. Ria doesn’t understand why her mother suddenly left the museum, or was fired, so Ria is left to make up answers when problems and questions arise. A news article reports that robbers attempted to steal a legendary sword from India, but they were only able to pry a large, red ruby from it. Then, Ria finds the ruby and a cryptic message in an envelope mailed to her mother. Did her mother help steal it? Who mailed it?
The plot is the mystery surrounding the sword and the stolen ruby. Who stole the Ruby, and why was it mailed to Ria’s mother? Who is the cute boy Ria meets outside the museum? He keeps showing up, but Ria’s friends don’t trust him. Who are the two women they keep seeing, and are they part of the Lotus Society, a radical group started in the early 1970s? Is the Lotus Society still active, and are they the thieves targeting the sword and ruby? How much trouble are Ria and her friends in for attempting to return the ruby to the museum?
Each chapter is titled with “In Which…” and three comments that hint at events to come. For example, one chapter is titled “In Which We Make a Discovery in a Bathroom Stall, Concoct a Concept of a Plan, and Get Spied On.” Another says, “In Which We Are Suspects on the Run, Hide Behind Some Gods, and Do a Little Bit More Stealing.” The titles prepare readers for the chapter, and some of them add a little humor. A section after the plot’s resolution provides information about some concepts in the story. Repatriation is at the heart of the conflict, holograms become important, and ideas about the Indian queen and sword are based on real history.
What didn’t work as well:
Ria, Annie, and Miracle come from three different cultures, but it doesn’t work as well in this book. Ria has some Indian in her; the narrative is told in her first -person voice, and the sword comes from India. Her culture is well-represented, but details about the other ones are somewhat lost amid the adventure and descriptions of the Indian culture. Perhaps the other cultures will be more important in the future, but they didn’t work as well as they might have.
The final verdict:
The mystery offers twists and turns, as Ria and her friends try to identify their opponents and repatriate the sword and ruby to India. Young readers will learn a bit about Indian culture as the characters avoid trouble and danger all around New York City. I recommend you try this book for yourself.
May 6, 2026
In The Theft of the Ruby Lotus, Sayantani DasGupta returns in rare, radiant form—crafting a story that feels like a love letter folded carefully between the galleries of the Metropolitan Museum and the heartbeat of New York City’s immigrant families (the good and the sticky parts). This tale is part twisty heist, part cultural reclamation, and wholly an exploration of who art belongs to, who gets to keep it, and what it means to be placed on display.
Ria Bailey is the kind of heroine who brews bold, and Nadia Marshall gives her—and her brilliant circle of friends—the exact voice, cadence, and spark this adventure deserves. Marshall’s narration pours warmth into every moment, steeping listeners in humor, tension, and the fierce tenderness that defines DasGupta’s storytelling.
And can we talk about the chapter titles? A delight. A flex. A reminder that fun, clever chapter titles should absolutely make a comeback—but only if you’re ready to meet the standard DasGupta just set.
A story that shimmers with art, ancestry, and audacity—Perfectly Steeped from first sip to final swirl.
Ria Bailey is the kind of heroine who brews bold, and Nadia Marshall gives her—and her brilliant circle of friends—the exact voice, cadence, and spark this adventure deserves. Marshall’s narration pours warmth into every moment, steeping listeners in humor, tension, and the fierce tenderness that defines DasGupta’s storytelling.
And can we talk about the chapter titles? A delight. A flex. A reminder that fun, clever chapter titles should absolutely make a comeback—but only if you’re ready to meet the standard DasGupta just set.
A story that shimmers with art, ancestry, and audacity—Perfectly Steeped from first sip to final swirl.
November 22, 2025
Ria is horrified and devastated when her usually open mother mysteriously tells her they are moving to Germany because she had lost her museum job. As the child of an immigrant, Ria is fully aware of her minority status, even though she doesn't always agree with her mother when she advocates at the museum to return exhibit pieces to their country of origins. Ria's mom quickly leaves for Germany, leaving Ria and her grandmother to settle their NYC affairs before moving themselves. Soon after Ria's mom departed, a package arrived for Ria's mom containing a large, beautiful ruby - a ruby that matches the gemstone that was recently stolen from the museum the same day Ria's mother was fired.
Great middle grade action/adventure story. The author does a great job addressing issues of cultural appropriation by cleverly presenting both sides of the issue through Ria and her friends' discussions. Great addition to upper elementary and middle school libraries
Great middle grade action/adventure story. The author does a great job addressing issues of cultural appropriation by cleverly presenting both sides of the issue through Ria and her friends' discussions. Great addition to upper elementary and middle school libraries
September 28, 2025
A very fun middle grade heist book with diverse characters from different backgrounds. Dasgupta captures the slightly snarky tone of a 12-year-old. I love how she was able to slide in a lot about the issues of repatriating holdings from museums without becoming didactic or losing Zia's tone. My favorite part though was the power of immigrant aunties!
Review based on a DRC received through Edelweiss+l
Review based on a DRC received through Edelweiss+l
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love a book set in a museum! Ria and her best friends Miracle and Annie have a mystery to solve. A mysterious stone has been mailed to her mother, right after her mother loses her job at the museum. Run all over New York and the Met with these three friends as they try to solve the mystery and stop a treasure from disappearing forever. Filled with humor, and great friendships, this one is a winner. Highly recommended.
August 15, 2025
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
What a fantastic middle grade mystery! Ria and her two best friends work together to figure out why a gemstone was mailed to her house and what it has to do with her mom losing her job and wanting to move the family overseas. This had lots of twists and I didn’t want to put it down!
What a fantastic middle grade mystery! Ria and her two best friends work together to figure out why a gemstone was mailed to her house and what it has to do with her mom losing her job and wanting to move the family overseas. This had lots of twists and I didn’t want to put it down!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Fast paced, fun ,and clever, I loved how DasGupta seamlessly wove themes of colonization, appropriation, and repatriation into this love letter to smart girls, NYC, and good old-fashioned heists!
Thank you to Edelweis and Scholastic for the opportunity to read an e-arc
Thank you to Edelweis and Scholastic for the opportunity to read an e-arc
October 14, 2025
This is an exciting jewel heist art mystery that covers interesting ethical questions of who art actually belongs to. It has a great cover and will work for fans of City Spies.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Loved this! Great middle school read set in one of my favorite cities, the Big Apple! Fast paced and kept my attention
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A fun heist mystery for middle grades readers
May 15, 2026
OMG, I loved this! When I was a kid, I read and adored From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. you could say that I based my whole life on that book. This is in a similar vein - precocious kids, the Met, an art mystery, NYC- but it also has repatriation, looting, a wicked tech bro, immigrant culture, and a little middle school romance. It's cute and funny but it also is ABOUT something and I cannot imagine being 12 and reading it and not wanting to go work in a museum.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews