The Bone Thief, Vanessa Lillie (Review by Stacey Lorenson)

Rating: 4.0/5 Stars

The Bone Thief is a thrilling mystery suspense novel set in Rhonde Island, three months after the previous Syd Walker novel, Blood Sisters. The author, Vanessa Lillie, explores the effects of colonialism, systemic racism, tribal history, identity, healing and missing indigenous women in this fast-paced multi-genre novel.

Syd Walker, a five-year veteran archeologist for the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs), assumes the role of her retired boss, Bud. Syd is tasked with preserving the cultural integrity of ancient Narragansett remains discovered at a dig site, on The Founders Society private property. As nefarious events proliferate the exclusive historical club, Syd discovers more questions than answers. When Bud is found dead, an intern is reported missing, and valuable Indian artifacts are stolen, Syd races against time to solve the cases. As the investigation progresses, murder, sex rituals, and a kidnapping threaten the future of the Founders Society and Narragansett tribal traditions.

The complexities of the tribal remains and their ownership, places the tribe leaders and the private club in opposition with each other. This appears to be a deliberate paradox on the authors part, designed to illuminate the complex intersections between federal, state, and local jurisdictions that comprise the byzantine that constrict Native American lives. Syd’s messy personal life, and the secrets she is harboring to protect her loved ones, serves as an additional juxtaposition. The authors vivid, emotional prose reflects the protagonists struggle to preserve their fragile heritage and honor their descendants. Syd’s uncompromising tenacity to unearth truth and justice made this novel unputdownable. The Bone Thief was a thoroughly enjoyable story.