A Fortune of Sand

by Ruta Sepetys

The daughter of an automotive magnate escapes to an artistic retreat that holds more secrets—and more intrigue—than she could have ever imagined, in this Prohibition-era novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea.

Detroit, 1927. A city of smoke and ambition, where glittering wealth conceals a graveyard of secrets.

Marjorie Lennox is the youngest daughter of a powerful automotive dynasty, a family known for money, not manners. Artistic, impulsive, and always slightly out of step, Marjorie has long been dismissed by her controlling father and self-absorbed siblings. But when she secretly applies to an exclusive arts program funded by an elusive benefactor, she sees a chance to redefine herself on her own terms.

The building is grand. The participants are gifted. But something…is off.

The program is uncomfortably restrictive. Doors lock at odd hours. Strange sounds echo through the halls amid whispers that women are disappearing. And the handsome benefactor’s presence—mostly absent, yet somehow everywhere—begins to unnerve her. As Marjorie’s sense of self begins to slip, so does her grip on the truth. What happens to women who don’t fit neatly into a gilded frame?

Set against the crumbling grandeur of 1920s Detroit and inspired by actual, long-buried historical events, A Fortune of Sand is a haunting mosaic of glamour and grift—a novel about those who vanish, and those who demand to be seen.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Adult, Gothic, Adult Fiction, 20th Century

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 2, 2026

About the author

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author and Winner of the Carnegie Medal.
Ruta Sepetys was born and raised in Michigan in a family of artists, readers, and music lovers. The daughter of a refugee, Ruta is drawn to underrepresented stories of strength through struggle and hopes to give voice to those who weren't able to tell their story. Her award-winning historical novels are published in over sixty countries and have received over forty literary prizes.

For more information:
https://www.rutasepetys.com
https://www.facebook.com/rutasepetys
https://www.instagram.com/rutasepetys...
https://www.twitter.com/rutasepetys

Reviews

[h i n d]

auto read author

[Melody Schwarting]

Sepetys's first adult novel. LET'S GO!!!!!

[Abby Nicole]

!!!!!! Can’t possibly wait for the SUMMER

[Miriam Simut]

Can't wait!!!!!

[rachel x]

"Set against the crumbling grandeur of 1920s Detroit and inspired by actual, long-buried historical events, A Fortune of Sand is a haunting mosaic of glamour and grift—a novel about those who vanish, and those who demand to be seen"

it's ruta sepetys, of course i'm reading it

[WILL U READ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Publication date: June 2, 2026.

“A Fortune of Sand” is an atmospheric, ever-shifting historical novel that feels less like a single fixed story and more like a series of revealing character moments that gradually accumulate weight. Set against 1927 Detroit, the book captures an uncertain era shaped by ambition, wealth, performance, and the cost of progress.

Marjorie is written with warmth and complexity. She doesn’t always understand things immediately — and that delay feels intentional. Her growth comes from observation, lived experience, and emotional reckoning rather than quick realizations. Watching her piece things together gives the story its quiet momentum. When other characters are confronted by her presence, they often respond with unexpected vulnerability, seeking deeper connection in ways that feel authentic rather than tidy.

The narrative widens beyond Marjorie at times, giving space to her family and others, which enriches the emotional landscape and reinforces how interconnected personal choices and social expectations are. The story is constantly evolving, and while a few moments feel slightly forced, they are rare and never overpower the larger emotional truth.

Sepetys’ craft shines in the details — reflective chapter headings, period newspaper excerpts, and visual materials that ground the story in its historical moment. The acknowledgements and author’s note are especially thoughtful and add meaningful context to the work as a whole.

This is a layered, adult historical novel about perception, reputation, and the slow understanding of truth — one that lingers well beyond the final page.

[Carol (Reading Ladies) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Genevieve]

Oh I've BEEN waiting

[Melodi | booksandchicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Major Ruta fan here and I’m so sad I didn’t love this more. Let me explain my rating without spoilers.

Loved the time period, it had a vibe of Great Gatsby but in Detroit, with big family money due to the automobile industry.

I enjoyed following our protagonist, Marjorie, as she navigates life, a young woman in her 20’s. The chapters rotate between her and her siblings.

A focus on the arts was interesting-but perhaps what made it falter for me?

A mixture of history with suspense that kept me wanting. The mystery aspect didn’t drop enough breadcrumbs for me.

Marjorie falls for a guy she meets once and can’t get him out of her mind. Seemed juvenile to me and not realistic.

It felt very slow. Not much happens until 70%, but once I got to that point it picked up and ended well. A lot of story development that took too long developing and not enough time for me to enjoy the story. It took forever for me to pick up where the story was going. That said, the chapters were short enough that it didn’t drag too much.

Loved the historical content once I knew it was historical in the authors note. I would have liked even more of the history.

If you’re a Ruta fan, you should read this, but it’s not as strong as her other works IMHO.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the gifted e-arc.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy this author’s books! The setting and plot of this one was excellent, I really felt like I was transported to Detroit in the 1920’s. There were some fun twists, but I wish there were more resolution at the end of the book. The author’s note at the end of the book was interesting as well. I’d recommend it! 8.25/10.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Gail Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for me. Although I have loved many of her books, this one was a bit of a disappointment for me...

[Anya Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marjorie Lennox, her father’s least favored child in the complicated Lennox clan, leaves the Glen Arden estate for an artist residency in fashion design. Marjorie begins to find her own path until she is pulled back home after finding the truth of her residency, family and more.

This was an enjoyable read with great character development.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a Ruta Sepetys fan, I was so excited to receive this ARC. Unfortunately, it isn’t as strong as some of her previous work. I haven’t read much historical fiction set in 1920s Detroit, so the references to Prohibition, the auto industry, and women’s rights were fresh and engaging. Once the story finally began to take shape, it became fast-paced and compelling.

The main character, Marjorie, is difficult to fully grasp, and the plot doesn’t truly come together until about 60% into the book. Once we reach the housewarming party and Marjorie starts to understand what’s happening with her family, the pieces finally begin to fall into place. However, just as the story starts to get interesting, it abruptly ends. There are so many loose ends that are never resolved. I really wish the book had either been longer or started with the party, as much of what comes before felt unnecessary. It almost seemed like the author had too many ideas for one story—the artistic retreat, the family infighting, the jewel heists, the secrets, the mysterious Bonafante, the relationship, etc.—and as a result, none of them were fully developed. Overall, Ruta is a must read author for me and I'm glad I read the book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Rosalie]

what do you mean my favorite historical fiction author is releasing a new story!!! especially for my birthday tooo, fantastic

[Annette Hester · Rating 3 out of 5]

What does the American dream in the 1920s look like? To Marjorie Lennox's grandparents it was leaving a life in Scotland behind where 16-hour days and being astute resulted in an automotive glass empire in the glory days of Detroit. To her father, it is entitlement, excess and shady dealings. To two of Marjorie's half-siblings, Chet and Graham, it is navigating the shifting secret sands of their wealthy existence for the good of the family, to include looking out for their artistic, naive younger sister. To Marjorie it is being a constant disappointment to her father, trusting in friends who let her down and getting into scrapes with the police for being her creative, guileless self. However, Marjorie has two secrets. The first is years ago she had a brief encounter with the handsome, wealthy and elusive, Charles Bonafante. The second is she's secretly applied to and been accepted into an exclusive residency program to foster the arts, ran by none other than Bonafante. Marjorie wants to discover what her dream looks like.

Chet and Graham create a cover story for Marjorie's first time away from the bosom of her privileged life. The artist community only has three others in residence and strict rules to include a curfew, locking all doors at all times and no visitors. She's quickly told the building is haunted due to hearing eerie noises at night and despite Charles having a mansion near her family's, he also stays in the upper floor of the building. As Marjorie immerses herself in design, befriends her fellow artists, and keeps a flame burning for Charles, her family is navigating layers of intrigue and tension. When they all intersect, Marjorie learns how the powerful and wealthy can create their own rules and what she can do about that knowledge.

Thank you, Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC of this Prohibition era historical fiction. Facts about what was going on in the world and the region were sprinkled throughout the book. I thoroughly enjoyed how unique each character was and how they fit intricately into the story. Marjorie's blend of quirkiness and sincerity are endearing and I found myself rooting on her positive outlook despite the ridicule she frequently bears. I struggled with the first half of the book because it felt like the plot was skipping stones rather than delving deeper to do these engaging personalities to allow them time to develop more fully. At that point the book seemed to shift gears and introduced the topic of the powerlessness of women due to their limited rights. I enjoyed the seemingly new direction and was looking forward to delving more deeply into the issue. Also in the latter portion of the book, the character of Charles Bonafante, comes to the forefront and we learn more about his intriguing history. Unfortunately, the book felt as though it ended abruptly when it was becoming more compelling and rich. Additionally, there were several engaging plot threads that were not resolved or revisited. I would suggest this for those who are looking to get the flavor of what the affluent automotive families were like in Detroit and how Prohibition and gangs came into the picture.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I adore Ruta Sepetys, so I smashed that request button as soon as this came across my dashboard. And it’s my first 5-star read of the year!

Although Sepetys is known for her historical fiction, thus far it’s all been young adult. I’m excited to see her branch out, and I love that she’s continuing to uncover forgotten bits of history. In this case, it’s Prohibition-era Detroit. The motor city is definitely in its heyday, and all of the various car family dynasties are in play. The Lennox family makes glass, so they’re in the mix with the Fords and Packards and all. And although we spend time with the three younger Lennox siblings - Chet, Graham, and Marjorie, this is really Marjorie’s book.

Marjorie is a flighty, artistic free spirit, the troublemaking youngest daughter of a super wealthy family. So she (and her siblings too) gets into all of the mischief you’d expect from someone in her position. But she does have a genuine talent for design, so when she just happens to find a brochure for an artistic fellowship, she jumps at the chance to get away from her parents for a while (her father is making noises about sending her away somewhere decidedly less fun). Chet and Graham help her “escape” to her artists’ enclave, but Graham smells something fishy almost immediately. And the program is…weird. Marjorie has all of her expenses taken care of and can get pretty much any supplies she wants for her work. But there’s a curfew, and jobs, and a whole set of restrictive rules she has to follow (with demerits for breaking them). She befriends two of the other participants - Ivy, an artist who only paints Christmas pictures; and Bernice, who makes furniture. Both are extremely gifted (though Ivy is pretty kooky). Marjorie is also nursing a pretty serious crush on Charles Bonafonte, the benefactor of this whole situation.

Meanwhile, things back home are their own kind of kooky. The family is fighting about succession, as these kinds of families tend to do. And Graham and Chet are “sharing” a job at the paper, writing obituaries (Graham has the job, but Chet does all of the writing and they split the checks).

It’s hard to say too much more without getting into spoiler territory, but I really, really loved this. Sepetys has this gift for bringing to life extremely niche moments in history. My only quibble is that by the end it feels almost unfinished? I don’t think she’s one for sequels, but without giving too much away, there are a few threads left hanging. But it’s such a beautiful story, and I feel like I have a book hangover after finishing it.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruta Sepetys is a go-to author for me: I tend to pre-order her books and recommend them to everyone, so I was thrilled to get to read this early.

I had a harder time than usual getting into this book, though, because of the main character. At the beginning, Marjorie came across as a spoiled, rich girl behaving badly. Once she accepted the residency, she seemed almost juvenile. Having signed a lease and agreed to its rules, she struggled to keep many of them. (Sometimes she did forget, but at least five times she seemed to just ignore them as inconvenient.) Her manner of speaking at times reminded me of fourteen-year-old Lizzie in The Bletchley Riddle. Her obsession with a man she met just once, and then only briefly, initially seemed childish as well. (I may have to cut her some slack on that point, though. Bonafante seemed absolutely magnetic, and I found him the most interesting character in the book.) Marjorie had some pretty terrible family members. She seemed to have a better heart than most of them, but that wasn't enough to make me like her or care much about her.

I have felt that some of Ruta's previous works have ended a beat too early. That feeling is intensified here, as there were many storylines left open.

As always, it was interesting to read the author's note at the end, and the newspaper clippings were a great addition.

I am grateful to Ballantine books and to NetGalley for the early read (Thank you so much!), and I look forward to seeing what's next from Ruta.

[Kitreadsalot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchanged for my unbiased review.
Our story follows Marjorie Lennox a 1920’s new money socialite whose quirkiness is unappreciated by her family. She is sent to a residency to practice her craft, fashion design. She soon discovers that this is no ordinary residency and was a scheme to keep her from being sent to an insane asylum by none other than her very own father.
One would think chaos ensues….it does not. The plot becomes convoluted with Marjorie discovering her father is involved in multiple illegal activities including a heist. Characters are introduced and discarded almost as quickly. The end is upon you before the adventure begins and we are left wondering where the rest of the book is.

As a long time fan of Ruta Sepetys, Salt to the Sea and Fountains of Silence this novel reflects the depth and pace we found in Out of the Easy. This novel will be a hit for those who enjoy the ins and outs of 1920’s crime and elegance but perhaps not for those hoping to uncover another massive criminal cover up in world history.

[Caitlin Milliken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed every book Ruta Sepetys has written from the first one I bought at a Scholastic book fair in middle school to receiving this ARC. I loved every minute of this book and appreciated the twists that accompanied it. Sepetys is exceptional at integrating research into her historical fiction, and Detroit was shown in a new light in this book. A prohibition era nouveau riche family is exposed in this historical fiction/mystery, and I enjoyed the balance of the arts and society. I loved the main character and the mystery, intrigue, and nuance captured in practically every character. A wonderfully executed adult novel debut.

Thank you to Ballantine Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Ruta Sepetys has a book on the adult shelf? Yes please! I have read all of her books and have used them in my adult book clubs. They have always been page turners and deeply impactful. So I was thrilled to see this one coming out!
Sepetys captured an era that is fascinating and fun with Detroit, car makers, Henry Ford and the Grey Ghost making appearances - it was a lush time of excess.
However for me, the characters are where the book falls from grace. I felt disconnected from the characters from the beginning and couldn't really latch on. This is extremely unusual for me and this author as I usually sob through her books. It just left me flat. Like, not love this time.
3.5*

[Aprilcots · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big Ruta Sepetys fan and have read and loved almost all of her previous novels, but this one was just ok for me. The characters are incredibly difficult to keep straight for the first third or so of the book, and the pacing doesn’t really pick up until the last third. It’s a very slow burn and I wish the plot lines had been developed more and faster. I enjoyed the immersive world building, the Gatsby references, the hints of scandal and criminal undercurrents and the eventual character development. When things come together it happens very quickly and the ending was satisfying, but I just wish the book had been more like the end at the beginning. Thank you Net Galley for this advance reader copy.

[Anna R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an early review copy of Ruta Sepetys’ newest historical fiction novel, A Fortune of Sand, in exchange for my honest review. Set in prohibition-era Detroit, the book started out a bit chaotic and disjointed. Although this may have been an intentional tone to reflect that era, it caused me to struggle to get into the story and worry about how the plot would come together at the end. Luckily, it did all come together. Interestingly, my favorite part was discovering several pages of newspaper clippings at the end, showcasing the headlines and news stories that inspired this book. This truly was a work of historical fiction inspired by non-fiction.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the glimpse into 1920's Detroit - the cars, the clothes, the parties. However, the story itself felt like it was being pulled in a lot of different directions while at the same time nothing was really happening until maybe 65% of the way through.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some loveable characters in this one and I enjoyed the twist that hit halfway through. But there was something off with this one, it’s not the same writing I know and love of Ruta’s. I didn’t find myself rooting for the characters. There were times it felt this was not fully developed. The overall mystery seemed half explained from the beginning which made the reveal less exciting.

[Melissa Cecil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m an avid Ruta Septys reader, and this was another unique and captivating read. It definitely was a different type of story but it made light of some really devastating moments in Women’s history and I know Ruta has the depth and skill to make that more compelling. Overall, I enjoyed it but it was not my favorite story from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Mary Varney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was A RIDE. I want to immediately turn to page 1 and start over again. The plot is intense & engaging, but the star of the show is the fabulously quirky characters. Lots of fun.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, solid storytelling with a bit of Gatsby and mystery.