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, Mystery

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 26, 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!!!!!

[Laura and Literature · Rating 1 out of 5]

To say I’m disappointed is a gross understatement. Ruta Sepetys has a true talent for writing wonderful, amazing stories. This story does not fall under that category, unfortunately.

This book falls into the category of an interesting story in the hands of a very talented story teller, who writes a good story and then taints it with content that takes away from the story and ruins the reading experience.

She did up the reading age from YA to adult.. so I’ll give her that I suppose.

Content: STDs, tons of alcohol abuse. Spouse abuse. Mentions of the FMCs friend having “fun” with her father when she dresses up as her deceased mother. 🤢 … which actually turns out to be her pedophile husband who married her at the age of 13 that requires her to call him “daddy” 🤮, crass innuendos, the MC observing an orgy through a window, nothing descriptive but leads us to use our imaginations.. (I don’t want my imagination going to the places she’s leading us to.)

I’m not sure what happened here but I definitely won’t be reading anymore from this author if this is the direction she is going to pursue with her writing. This story could have been SO good! Very disappointing.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the arc of this book.

I don’t even know what to rate this.. I’m just going to go with a 1 star for the pedophile being called daddy. It’s just too much.

[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

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced, with lots of Detroit references this former Livonia girl enjoyed. The late 1920’s & the Motor City … I enjoyed this thoroughly! Another Ruta Sepetys book I loved!

Thank you to Ballantine Books for this advanced reader’s edition! Get your copy on 6/2!

[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.

[Sophia LB · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

Ruta strikes again! What a magnificent book. Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine for the ARC. Ruta is my favorite writer, so it was a privilege to have early access.

I LOVED the plot. The mystery. I really felt the tension, and my curiosity was desperate. This book is very reminiscent of "Out of the Easy," which is my second favorite of Ruta's book, so this was right up my alley. It's not surrounding a big, flashy historical event like most of her books are, so it's got a very different vibe to it. I will say, it does start off a bit slow, and really picks up a little over halfway through. This wasn't an issue for me because I love character-driven stories, but I think it's worth noting for curious readers.

Marjorie is one of Ruta's best protagonists, and I'll say that with my full chest. She is vibrant, bubbly, fun, full of life, and her arc is fascinating. I love how she handles her situation, it was very satisfying. I also loved Graham, despite being slightly questioning towards the end haha. I love his sharp wit, and especially his dynamic with Chet. They're really funny together. I also LOVED Ivy and Bernice. Overall, such a colorful ensemble, really well-written. Even the odious characters, I still enjoyed reading them because they were really well done.

The dialogue can be a bit superfluous at times, but I think it's very fitting for the glamorous, Gatsby-like (there's even a dog named Daisy haha) setting the story is set in. I also did not care for the romance up until like 70% of the book, when we really start to get to know Bonafante. I think the beginning of this relationship was a bit unrealistic, and it just doesn't make sense that Marjorie has this insane infatuation with a man who is more monosyllabic than Jess from Gilmore Girls. But I love their chemistry towards the end, so it doesn't take away from the story. At least not for me, anyway.

Overall, loved loved loved this book. It's criminal that one must wait a year or more for a Ruta Sepetys novel, but this one was well worth the wait. I rated it 4.5 stars for now just because I like to save my 5s, but this book definitely has potential to earn that extra .5 in the future.

Special shoutout to Granny. I strive to be like her when I'm old. What an icon.

#AFortuneofSand #NetGalley

[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.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a layered book that I would compare to The Fountains of Silence in that I need to read it again.

From featuring Marjorie, the heroine main character, who chooses happiness and friendship and a touch of romance over the devastation that her family was inflicting on her and those "in the business" to the intrigue of the auto industry, rumrunning, and female institutionalization, there were moments of joy and moments of pain. Marjorie always chose to feel the pain and provide the joy where she could as evidenced by the ending (loved that it ended the way it did) or how she responded to learning about Poor Peter's plight and in how she treated Bonafante.

I finished this book last night after a marathon afternoon to read it in one sitting because it is immersive- the lush descriptions of Marjorie's Nightingale apartment and her wardrobe to ugly descriptions of her father's suffering, I spent today in a haze of a dream. Did I experience it? No, I read it in a book but it FELT like I experienced it from the sweeping romantic gestures (I'll be calling my local liquor store to have them order me some Pol Roger) to the beautiful heartbreak that turned into sheer determination to save Ivy from Eloise after hearing the full story. The darkness of the secrets and lies is juxtaposed with the hopefulness that Marjorie's mother and Bernice get to experience when more is revealed as the story unfolds and their ambitions can take flight.

To know Sepetys' careful research that parlayed itself into this Gatsby-like epic makes all the difference in its enjoyment. She peels back stories to find their guts to expose to readers to make them think and feel. And what an apt visual of the Lennox's family's empire built on a "fortune of sand".

Each character was three dimensional and purposeful. It was not overwritten because the intrigue spoke for itself from Bonafante's comings and goings on the floor above the ladies to who else was in that apartment to the machinations of power and wealth from the grandfather and father- magnates of a storied time and place. Sepetys' meticulous knowledge shows up in the cars driven and the landmarks (she is from Detroit after all!) as examples.

Do I get more words to describe it? Evocative. Sexy.

And in part I know it's because I love the grandeur mixed with the morbid fascination. I did notice when memento mori was referenced and the cemeteries that flanked Eloise. It's the sweet tragedy that I love in stories like The Virgin Suicides and another one of Sepetys' books: Out of the Easy.

Can't wait to own a copy. June is too far away. *Sigh* as one of the laments of an avid reader is not having the experience of reading this for the first time ever again.

[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.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 stars, rounded up!

Ruta Sepetys has been an auto-read/auto-buy author for me since 2016. My first introduction to her was Salt to the Sea, which is a masterpiece, by the way. While this wasn't my favorite story of hers, it was still beautifully crafted. I'm always so impressed by her writing style as well as the effort that she puts into her books. Sepetys always makes sure to research, research, and do even more research. She researches historical events and does thorough research into firsthand accounts, but she uses her research to create a mix of history with her own spin.

I will always be appreciative of Sepetys. She has taught me a lot through her books. This one was also exciting as previously her books were categorized as "young adult" and this one has crossed into the "adult" territory! Again, masterful writing and she's a great storyteller with such a dedication to research. That being said, I did like this book less than her others. The content of this book felt a bit different than her previous works. This one reminded me a bit more of The Great Gatsby, if anything. Her other books felt more removed from this one. There was nothing inherently wrong with this story, I just didn't feel as gripped by it as her other works. I think she has a strong talent for writing war stories, and I think I was missing that here. Again, absolutely no fault of her own, but my own preference.

It was still a total delight to be approved to read this book. I was incredibly excited to see it come through and I felt honored to have the early opportunity! Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[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.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start by thanking NetGalley for this ARC, I am a huge Ruta Sepetys fan so I was very excited to receive this ARC!

While this wasn’t my favorite book by Sepetys, it still wasn’t my least favorite. The characters, especially Marjorie and Bonafante, had me enchanted. Chet and Graham were such a fun duo, and Marjorie's mom was a surprisingly interesting character. I adored Ivy and Bernice, and really wish we could’ve seen more of them.

As much as I loved this book, it still fell pretty flat and left me wanting more. So many plotlines just ended suddenly and were hardly revisited, and even if most of the questions were answered, they still felt unresolved. Once Marjorie left The Nightingale, it wasn’t really talked about again, and while I understand why that may be, it felt like so much more could’ve been said. Same with Bernice leaving. Even though we know she got sent home, and what happens to her is supposed to remain somewhat of a mystery, it felt so sudden to me, and it didn’t seem like her character was thought about much after. I get that the story is supposed to end abruptly, with many plots left open ended, but that doesn’t change the fact that it left me waiting and hoping for more. I feel that if the book was a little longer, even with an open ending, it could’ve felt more complete.

Even with the issues, I loved this book. Its whimsical and fun while also being mysterious, and I’m so grateful to have gotten to read it, and will absolutely be recommending it when it finally gets published. Ruta Sepetys remains my favorite author! 3.5/5 Stars

[Rebecca Gervais · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start by thanking NetGalley and Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I am a big fan of Ruta Sepetys and was delighted to get an early copy of her first adult novel.
I loved the plot, the colorful characters, the mystery and the 1920s Detroit setting (think developing auto giants, gangsters and prohibition). Unlike many of Ruta Sepetys’ young adult novels, this book is not dependent on a significant historical event, but is more character driven. However, it is clear that the author conducted a lot of research around Detroit and the auto industry to create a wonderful and nuanced backdrop for the story. The book does start slowly and somewhat confusingly, as the myriad of characters are introduced and developed, but really picks up about halfway through.
The story revolves around the Lennox family, primarily Marjorie, the youngest child who is unacceptably artistic. To say this family is toxic is an understatement, but having said that I really enjoyed the zany (and somewhat twisted) characters. Chet and Graham were such a fun duo, I enjoyed the romantic storyline for Marjorie, and a special shout out to Granny. I also adored Ivy and Bernice, and really wish we could’ve seen more of them.
This book is whimsical and fun, while also being mysterious and I would definitely recommend, especially if you are already a Ruta Sepetys fan!

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did I just read? Flappers and gangsters and poison, oh my!

Thanks to Net Galley and Ballantine for the chance to read this ARC and share my thoughts with you. Sepetys is highly regarded for her outstanding historical fiction. Between Shades of Gray and Salt to the Sea sit on my shelf, but I ended up reading The Fountains of Silence first, last May, and it just wrecked me, but I loved it. This could not be further from that and some readers may feel betrayed. I’d rather think of it as a successful writer taking a break and writing for the pure fun of it. I fell asleep reading it on a Friday night, woke up at 2:37 am and stayed up until 6:00 am to finish it.

Mostly set in the posh suburbs of Detroit, with much of the newer money being from the burgeoning auto industry. Among those mansions, there lives a family held together by nothing but lies, and they are starting to unravel….Money can’t buy everything though, in particular a woman’s right to self-determination at a time when husbands and fathers still had the ability to “disappear” inconvenient women to asylums. Despite that, dark comedy is first and foremost in this twisty family drama. Sepetys still finds a way to intertwine a lovely romance, and to leave us wanting more with an ending that does not come close to tying this up neatly. Could it be that there will be a follow-up? One can only hope!

[Diane Ferbrache · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margie is the black sheep of the family. Born into one of Detroit's elite, living in Grosse Pointe in the family mansion, but she doesn't fit the family business model. She wants to be a fashion designer and often speaks her mind in an "inappropriate" manner, much to the chagrin of her father. She manages to secure an artists' residency sponsored by a wealthy reclusive bachelor, and her brother helps her accept without her parents' knowledge. BUT there's something mysterious and creepy about the whole thing.

Set firmly in the 1930s, the reader gets a real feel for life during prohibition when Detroit was automotive central, money flowed freely, and gangsters walked freely among the public. Other reviews compared it to Gatsby, but it really reminded me of The Diviners by Libba Bray. The mystery, the romance, the family drama really takes a back seat to the atmosphere that puts readers smack in the 1930s. The language, the decor, the attitudes, all show that the author has done her research.

NOTE: As with all books by this author, there is a social issue that is addressed. The real story is the treatment of women who did not fit the mold and conform to their family's or society's expectations. Great story!

[Kimberly Wenger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy.

I’ve read and loved all of Ruta Sepetys’s YA historical fiction, so I was extra stoked to pick up her first adult novel, A Fortune of Sand. I’m honestly still trying to figure out exactly how I feel about it. There were definitely strong moments and glimpses of the rich storytelling I’ve come to expect from her, but overall something just fell a little flat for me. The story kept hinting that something big was about to happen, yet the tension never fully delivered into a satisfying climax. I enjoyed Marjorie as a main character; she felt plucky and refreshingly uncorrupted compared to the rest of her family, but her intense infatuation with someone she barely knew felt overdone. At times, the number of family members and side characters distracted from what felt like the most compelling threads of the story. The plot development moved slowly, and when major events did occur, they didn’t feel as impactful as I’d hoped. By the end, too many storylines were left open, with ideas introduced but not fully explored or wrapped up. I wanted to love this one as much as her previous books, but it ultimately left me wanting a bit more clarity and resolution.

[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.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sand of Fortune is a gripping historical thriller that blends mystery, suspense, and real events from Detroit’s past. Ruta Sepetys brings the 1920s to life with vivid detail, exposing the glamour of the era while uncovering the darker truth of what women endured behind closed doors. The story kept me hooked with its twists and haunting atmosphere, and I appreciated how it shed light on history that is often overlooked or ignored.

What stood out most was how the novel connects fiction to real injustices, making the mystery feel meaningful rather than just entertaining. The tension builds steadily, and the sense of danger lingers long after each chapter ends.

That said, I truly wish the book had been longer. I wanted more time with the characters and more closure especially knowing what ultimately happened to all of them. The ending left me wanting deeper resolution and answers, which speaks to how invested I became in the story and its people.

Overall, Sands of Fortune is a powerful, unsettling read that reveals uncomfortable truths about the past. I just wish we had been given a little more space to see every character’s full story through to the end.

[Amy T. - Book lover! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me begin by saying that I am a fan of Ruta Sepety’s novels which is why I jumped when NetGalley offered me the opportunity to preview this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. She has written some great historical fiction, but I was disappointed with this read.

There were things that I enjoyed about this novel. I did like the little we got to know of Marjorie, but I think she was not as multi-dimensional as she could have been. She felt like an underdeveloped Zelda from The Great Gatsby.

I can see how Sepetys wanted to intertwine many aspects of Detroit history into this one storyline, but honestly, it didn’t work well. I think if she had spent more time developing the story of the women artists in residence I would have enjoyed the book more. As it is written, there are too many things happening so that not one storyline gets developed well, which means we are not drawn in to care about the characters enough.

The Dear Coco parts also didn’t work, nor do I, even now, get what they had to do with the story or why they were there. I prefer some of Sepety’s other historical fiction much more than this one.