The Bone Thief - a riveting mystery of a missing Indigenous woman and stolen human remains.

It's 2008, and Cherokee archaeologist, Syd Walker, is living in Rhode Island, working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Following her boss's retirement, Syd is promoted and has a troubling new case. An anonymous call sends her to Camp Quahog, which is run by the Founders Society, an organization whose members' ancestry can be traced back to the Mayflower. Human female bones have been uncovered and are believed to originate from the Narragansett Reservation, which is seeking to reclaim its ancestral land. The Founders Society plans to feature the remains, believed to be 300 years old, in a new museum highlighting the history of the colonists. After their discovery, the skeletal remains vanish, followed by the disappearance of Naomi, a young Native woman. As Syd investigates the missing bones and searches for Naomi, she discovers shocking secrets about the Founders Society. 

Blood Sisters, Vanessa Lillie's first book featuring Syd Walker, was both engaging and enlightening. The Bone Thief, while a fictitious story, incorporates historical facts, once again revealing how much we don't know about Native American history. The Author's Note and the author's website offer resources for further exploration of Indigenous history. Hopefully, another installment in this series will be forthcoming. 

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for the advance.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Mystery Thriller | Indigenous Fiction.

Publication Date: October 28, 2025.

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