Secret of the Sands is a historical novel written by Scottish writer Sara Sheridan.

[3][4] The novel is set in 1833, during a British naval survey of the coastline of the Arabian Peninsula.

An ambitious Lieutenant James Wellstead's plans are thrown into disarray when two of his shipmates, Jones and Jessop, go missing in the desert while gathering intelligence and he has to carry out a daring rescue.

Zena, a headstrong Abyssinian beauty who was torn from her village, is now being offered for sale as a slave in the market of Muscat.

She must accompany him on his hazardous mission, forced to make big choices, and little knowing the fate that awaits them.