Shifting Sands

"Shifting Sands" by Sara Ware Bassett is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of Cape Cod, the story follows Marcia Howe, a young widow living in isolation, who finds her life intertwined with that of Stanley Heath, a stranger who arrives at her home under mysterious circumstances. The narrative presents a mix of romance and intrigue revolving around Marcia, her enigmatic guest, and the cove they inhabit, suggesting themes of community, resilience, and the search for love. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Marcia Howe, who lives a solitary life on a sand spit at Crocker's Cove after the death of her unsteady husband, Jason. The arrival of Stanley Heath, a man who has run aground while operating his boat, disrupts her quiet existence. As Marcia cares for him, the townsfolk speculate about her past and their potential romance, while an intriguing twist comes with Stanley's possession of a leather case filled with gems, hinting at secrets that could complicate their developing relationship. Marcia, with her strong spirit and practical skills, is portrayed as a woman ready to embrace a new chapter in her life, yet haunted by her past and the community's expectations. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Sara Ware Bassett was an American writer of fiction and nonfiction. Her novels primarily deal with New England characters, and most of them are set in two fictional Cape Cod villages she created, Belleport and Wilton. Her first novel, Mrs. Christy's Bridge Party, was published in 1907. She subsequently wrote more than 40 additional novels, continuing to write and publish into the late 1950s. Many of her novels focus on love stories and humorously eccentric characters. A number of her works are available as free e-books. Two of her novels, The Taming of Zenas Henry (1915) and The Harbor Road (1919), were adapted as the motion pictures Captain Hurricane (1935) and Danger Ahead (1921).