The Bone Thief

I got this book for my husband and he was very happy about getting it and has been reading it.

There is so much going on in this one that I couldn’t put it down; the archaeological dig, the disappearance of a Native teen, the loss of artifacts, and the Founders Society’s encroachment onto the land – it was all so interesting. This did drag a little in the middle, but it was worth it for the payoff at the end, which all came together nicely. I enjoyed the story overall and will go back and read the first one in the series, as it is mentioned a few times and I feel that some of the back story will make more sense with it, though it is not necessary to enjoy this one.

I devoured this book! I loved Blood Sisters (book 1), so I couldn’t wait to jump back into Syd’s world. While this one can be read as a standalone, I do recommend starting with book 1 — it adds extra depth and richness to Syd’s story.Syd is such a compelling character: methodical in her science yet deeply rooted in her Indigenous heritage. As a BIA archaeologist, she beautifully blends both worlds while investigating the disappearance of an Indigenous woman and sacred ancestral remains. Her growth—learning to trust her instincts and her heritage—was one of my favorite parts.I also loved seeing Luna, Syd’s sister, shine in this one! Fierce, loyal, and intuitive - she’s the perfect investigative partner as they dig into the chilling secrets of the Founders Society, a private club claiming ancestral rights to tribal lands.Vanessa Lillie masterfully intertwines suspense with vital truths about missing and murdered Indigenous women, colonialism, and whitewashed history. It’s emotional, raw, and absolutely necessary reading.👉 Don’t skip the Author’s Note! Lillie’s research is outstanding, and she shares excellent resources for continued learning.🎧 Narration Note: Carolina Hoyos is phenomenal - authentic, heartfelt, and powerful. I split my time evenly between the physical and audio, and honestly? You can’t go wrong either way!Final Verdict: 👍 Fast-paced. Dark. Thought-provoking. Totally binge-worthy. Already crossing my fingers for book 3 🤞Vanessa, please tell me Syd & Luna will be back! 💪

The Bone Thief by Vanessa Lillie is a compelling and heart-wrenching mystery featuring Syd Walker, a Cherokee archeologist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. While this is a fictional story, it deals with real-life issues and is the second book in the series.Syd lives and works in South County, Rhode Island. She is contacted when the remains are found on private property was originally land belonging to the local Narragansett indigenous people. Soon she’s contacted again when the remains disappear overnight. She also learns a Native teenager has vanished as well from an elite historical society with dark ties.As Syd investigates both crimes, she works with the children of privileged campers and is drawn into their wealthy parents’ world. Many of them are members of the Founders Society, a club whose members trace their lineage to the first colonists. As Syd investigates, she learns it’s not the first someone or some thing has gone missing from the camp and the pattern stretches back generations.Syd is dedicated to her job, but tends to go it alone rather than asking for help and taking back-up. She’s also facing several personal relationship challenges. She’s determined and tenacious, but sometimes lets preconceived ideas override what others tell her. However, her purposefulness towards getting answers and solving the mysteries never wavers.This well-written and well-researched novel transported me to Rhode Island in 2008. Descriptions allowed me to easily visualize the conditions without slowing the pace. I was immediately pulled into the story and stayed engaged throughout. Dynamic characters and fantastic world-building combined with a great plot, disturbing scenes, and excellent pacing are a standard expectation with this author. She has once again delivered that in this excellent novel. It was fast-paced with a smooth flow. The plot is twisty and multi-layered with several surprises along the way. Themes include violence against women and girls, treatment of those who are different or who have a different ancestry, poverty, relationships, corruption, and much more.Overall, I am glad I read this novel, which was suspenseful, gritty, horrifying, thought-provoking, heartbreaking, and atmospheric. While fictional, it includes or references real events that have occurred in the area. With plenty of action, this novel will appeal to many crime thriller fans too. The author also weaves in information about American history and politics as it relates to Native Americans. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. The author’s note at the end of the book was very informative. I highly recommend this novel.Berkley Publishing Group – Berkley and Vanessa Lillie provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for October 28, 2025.

After devouring Blood Sisters, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the follow-up. The Bone Thief did not disappoint! BIA archaeologist and member of the Cherokee Nation, Syd Barrett is embroiled in another mystery involving the remains of an indigenous woman. This time the mystery takes place in her adopted home state of Rhode Island. The remains belong to a centuries-old sachem but their discovery ties in with a young girl who's gone missing from the local Narangansett tribe.Using this as a jumping-off point, readers are treated to a story that has the twists and turns of the best kind of roller coaster, history that we're not taught in school, and even insight into Syd's personal life after the events of Blood Sisters.The Bone Thief was everything I was hoping for it to be and I couldn't put it down.