This was my first book by author Vanessa Lillie, and this book is actually a sequel to her first book called Blood Sister. Although I had not read Blood Sisters, I can say that this book can be read as a stand alone. That being said, I think reading Blood Sisters first
…more would enhance the readers experience of this story. When I first started reading The Bone Thief, there was some background information that was not clear and I found I was slightly confused but soon enough the author gives enough info that I understood the premise of the first book without the author having to go into too much info for those readers who had read the first book, smart writing and the author gets point in my book for that!
This is a story of a BIA indigenous anthropologist who has some background trauma she is dealing with while trying to solve a mystery and possible murder navigating tribal and non tribal lands. Topics include tribal jurisdiction limitations, and the misappropriation of indigenous remains and funerary objects which is a significant and relevant issue still today highlighting how important it is for universities and museums to return what the author beautiful describes as the tribals personal "belongings." The connection to missing and murdered indigenous women and girls is also relevant to today's indigenous population and adds another layer of complexity to this story.
These indigenous topics and the twist and turns in this thriller/mystery story would make a great bookclub pick to discuss. If you enjoyed Angeline Boulley's Fire Keepers Daughter or Warrior Girl Unearthed, Nick Medina's Sisters of the Lost Nation or The Hatak Witches by Devon A. Mihesuha then I think you will enjoy this book
Thank you to BookBrowse, NetGalley, and Berkeley for this advanced copy for my honest review.
I would also like to thank the Author Vanessa Lillie for another incredible story giving her present tribal members and their ancestors a voice. (less)