Reading a thriller set in one’s own backyard is a very rare and distinct pleasure. As a South County resident, I found that each page of Vanessa Lillie’s “The Bone Thief” offered both literary satisfaction and a recognition that a gripping mystery was happening all around me.
Released Oct. 28, this sequel to the Washington Post Best Mystery of the Year, “Blood Sisters,” has deep South County ties. Author Vanessa Lillie, a South County transplant, set the novel on current and former Narragansett land stretching from Charlestown through North Kingstown.
Syd Walker, a Bureau of Indian Affairs archaeologist, finds herself with two cases on her hands. Skeletal remains vanish from a Narragansett dig site as she investigates the disappearance of a native teen. When law enforcement will not act, Syd takes matters into her own hands.
As the investigation unfolds, Syd uncovers a pattern of disappearances spanning generations, all of which can be traced to the clandestine Founders Club, which hosts and celebrates descendants of America’s first colonists.
Lillie structures the novel to build tension with each passing chapter, inspiring readers’ investment in both the story and the book’s multifaceted characters.
“The Bone Thief” explores the longstanding history of desecration of Indigenous remains, the jurisdictional complexities that affect Native American lives, and the decades-long epidemic of missing Indigenous women.
Syd Walker is tenacious and flawed, and carries the weight of her history into each investigation. Her expertise as an archaeologist adds authenticity, while her Cherokee heritage connects her to Native people across the country.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Lillie about “The Bone Thief” and her connection to Rhode Island.
What ties you most closely to your protagonist?
“I created a character with my background, Cherokee from northeast Oklahoma, because there are so few books published by Indigenous authors. I wanted to be sure the seat I was taking at the publishing table was my own. Even her last name, Walker, is from a family member who was on the Trail of Tears. My biggest hope for both “Blood Sisters” and “The Bone Thief” is that reading about Native communities will encourage people to connect with their local tribes. If you’re in Rhode Island, especially South County, there are so many incredible cultural events to enjoy through the Tomaquag Museum and the Narragansett tribe.”
What’s the biggest thing you learned about yourself through the writing of this book?
“I like writing “history in my mystery,” and I’ve found that putting real places and historical events is an engine for my creativity. There’s a specific feeling I love when I’m researching along the lines of “everyone should know this,” but then comes the challenge of getting the facts to align with the plot of a thriller without weighing down the narrative.”
* ‘Between the Lines’ is a new monthly book review column from freelance reporter Stephanie Bernaba. For the full story, pick up a copy of this week's Independent on newsstands now or purchase a subscription to our E-Edition by clicking here.