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There are currently 25 member reviews
for The Bone Thief
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Brenda W. (Wilkes Barre, PA)
A great story
The Bone Thief by Vanessa Lilie is a great story. It has a mystery mixed with a bit of history. I really enjoyed the writing. The characters are so real. I was really taken with Syd Walker.
Vanessa Lillie is a new to me author whom I plan to read more of. A very talented writer.
If you enjoy Tony Hillerman or Angeline Boulley books you will enjoy The Bone Thief.
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Sherie W. (Duluth, MN)
A great read!
Very good! I received an advance copy via BookBrowse for review. I hadn't realized it was a sequel when I requested the novel. So I read Blood Sisters first, which was very good. Reading The Bone Thief was even better. it gave me an insight to the atrocities that have, and continue to, impacted the Native Americans. I look forward to reading more Vanessa Lillie novels.
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Linda M. (Ocala, FL)
BIA Crime Solver
In The Bone Thief, indigenous author Vanessa Lillie's lead character is crime solver Syd Walker, an archeologist with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The story moves along quickly as she tries to locate a missing woman and the bones and burial artifacts that have been stolen from a 300-year-old indigenous woman's grave. This book is part thriller, part historical fiction, part mystery and totally entertaining. I certainly learned a great deal about the Narragansett people, both their history and present-day struggles.
The Bone Thief is the sequel to Lillie's novel Blood Sisters. I have already downloaded that book onto my reader and can't wait to get started. I think anyone who likes mysteries and is concerned about the disappearance and murders of indigenous women and girls will be especially drawn to this series.
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Lyris
History and Justice
History is written by the winners. However, members of The Founders, an exclusive club in Rhode Island, whose ancestors go back to the Mayflower, are not satisfied with all they've won, they want to create a shrine to themselves via a museum incorporating the bones and relics of the Narragansett Indians they've vanquished – which they hope will also make them even richer than they currently are.
It was not enough to take the land, and to take native children from their families to "save" them and to relegate the native population to low paying jobs. While pretending to agree to incorporate native perspectives in their "educational" museum, they actually would prefer total elimination of the natives and, in fact, continually to them in the past tense as if they no longer existed.
All this is background for the story of a native woman who goes missing, native bones and relics (or more appropriately, "belongings") which are dug up from sacred burial grounds and then stolen. Syd, a Cherokee from Oklahoma (with a backstory of her own) and archeologist working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs investigates these two crimes.
This was a fascinating depiction of not only our early history with conquering native populations but also of some current attitudes – while also being a compelling mystery with some very interesting characters. Highly recommend!
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Stanzi M. (HACIENDA HEIGHTS, CA)
I'm digging it!
Okay, the cheeky archaeological humor aside, this book is very intense and builds on a mystery that keeps you turning the pages. I love the central character Lillie and her resolve, the mystery will keep you guessing till the end.
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DeAnn A. (Denver, CO)
Skeletal Suspense
This book features Native archaeologist, Syd Walker, who works for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Syd is called in as some skeletal bones have been stolen from a summer camp. There's also a missing Native girl, and the authorities have stopped looking. Syd has had luck finding missing girls before. She is racing against time to solve both crimes.
I was drawn into the story quickly. This one was a fascinating read, and I enjoyed the cultural learning. I really like Syd's character. There is good continuation of the story from the earlier book. I will watch for future books by Indigenous author Vanessa Lillie.
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CindyC
Story that needed to be told
This book was interesting and full of strong female characters. It tells a story of how the indigenous population in Rhode Island had their land stolen from them and how they are still being exploited by the white characters in the story. Overall, I enjoyed the book and think it worth reading by everyone just to learn some of the history that isn't often told.
