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‘A Fortune of Sand’ author Ruta Sepetys dug up old secrets for new novel

May 30, 2026

Ruta Sepetys (her last name rhymes with “spaghettis”) started as a rock ‘n’ roll manager of the band Lit, the guitarist Steve Vai and the multimillion-selling songwriter Desmond Child. And when she stepped away from managing to write historical fiction, she became an even bigger success, winning a Carnegie Medal and publishing her work in 40 languages in 60 countries. Her young adult bestsellers, which have sold more than two million copies, include “Salt to the Sea,” The Fountains of Silence,” “Between Shades of Gray,” and “I Must Betray You.” Her first work of adult fiction, “A Fortune of Sand,” arrives in stores this week, and she responded by email to the Book Pages Q&A.

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Q. Please tell readers about “A Fortune of Sand,” which is your first book for adults.

“A Fortune of Sand” is set in 1920s Detroit, when the city was known as “The Paris of the Midwest.” It was an era of dazzling wealth combined with secrecy and illusion. I wanted to transport readers into the forgotten splendor of Detroit, so when I uncovered a series of long-buried true stories about the city during the Prohibition era, I decided to weave them into the lives of the Lennox Family, a powerful automotive dynasty who believes they can make the rules — and break them. At the center of the story is the youngest daughter, Marjorie, who uncovers a dark secret within the family and is forced to face the unsettling reality that sometimes lies carry more power than truth. How far will a dynasty go to keep their secrets?

Q. Your novels are known for being deeply researched. Can you talk about the research you did for this one?

It took more than a decade to uncover the files and details needed to build the story. Throughout my research, I was struck by how far history’s titans have gone to fabricate their legacies and also how the narrative we’ve accepted about the 1920s is incomplete. Newspaper archives became a crucial resource. Newspapers held enormous power during the era, especially over the wealthy elite and the auto barons. For the right price, information could disappear. I quickly learned that if I wanted the truth and greater detail about an event, the regional newspapers outside of Detroit were gold. Regional reporters were eager to illuminate the real “scoop.” They wanted to reveal what the “big city papers” were hiding and who was paying them to hide it. I consulted the Detroit police archives, filed FOIA requests, dug up death certificates and hospital records, and even consulted a former FBI agent to help me interpret the findings.

Q. When we last spoke, we discussed your time as a rock ‘n’ roll manager for guitarist Steve Vai (he said your integrity is “bulletproof” and that you make others feel “lifted up”) and the band Lit. Now, as a high-profile artist yourself, what did you learn from managing artists and navigating that world that has helped you?

Managing recording artists for more than twenty years taught me the power of collaboration — that creativity is elevated when energies are combined. In the music industry, I watched songwriters take an ordinary idea and transform it into a unique anthem. Now, as a novelist, I collaborate with my editor, my literary agent, and other writers. And on the personal side, managing artists also taught me the importance of protecting the creative space, both practically and emotionally. That discipline is essential.

(By the way, Steve performed in Nashville recently and I was able to spend time with him!)

Q. Is there a book or books you always recommend to other readers?

I always recommend “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. It’s an inspiring reminder that we can’t choose our hardships, but we can choose how we face our hardships.

Q. Do you remember the first book that made an impact on you?

There are many, but one that lingers with me is “Ethan Frome” by Edith Wharton. I had to read it for a school assignment and procrastinated because my friends said it was awful. When I finally read it, the weekend before the assignment was due, I realized how subjective the reading experience is. My friends thought the book was awful but I thought it was incredible. Together we unpacked and debated every last detail of the story and that experience of discussing literature made an enormous impact on me. It taught me that the book belongs to the reader. It’s up to the reader to determine the value and each reader will have their own interpretation and opinion.

Q. Do you listen to audiobooks? If so, are there any titles or narrators you’d recommend?

I absolutely love audiobooks and feel narrators are often the hidden heroes of storytelling. Some of my favorite narrators, like Edoardo Ballerini and Saskia Maarleveld, bring transformative nuance and depth to a text. They heighten the experience. Not everyone has the time or opportunity to sit down with a book, but audiobooks allow stories to travel with us as we commute, walk, or work. A large part of my readership discovered my novels through audio. I certainly owe a debt of gratitude to the narrators and PRH Audio!

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Q. What’s something about your book that no one knows?

There’s a hidden detail embedded on the cover of “A Fortune of Sand” — a Pantone tribute to the grit and pride of Detroit.

Q. If you could ask your readers something, what would it be?

What stories from your own life — or your family history — feel at risk of being forgotten? If you could uncover and preserve one detail you feel is crucial about your family ancestry, what would it be? So often, we think of history as something distant, but preserving our personal stories is one of the most meaningful ways to connect and bridge widths across generations.

Ruta Sepetys will also be appearing on SCNG’s Bookish on June 19 at 4 p.m.

Orange County Register

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‘A Fortune of Sand’ author Ruta Sepetys dug up old secrets for new novel

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