Vanessa Lillie's new thriller, "The Bone Thief," weaves together real-life present-day New England Indigenous history into a gripping mystery. Set in Rhode Island, the story follows Syd Walker, a native of Oklahoma of Cherokee descent, who identifies as Two Spirit and queer, as she investigates two cases that lead her to uncover a dark conspiracy involving early New England colonists.
Lillie's extensive research on Narragansett history is evident throughout the book, which delves into topics such as the false narrative of the first Thanksgiving, Indigenous erasure, and the ongoing struggles faced by Native American communities. By exploring these themes through the lens of a mystery thriller, Lillie sheds light on powerful and often-overlooked aspects of New England's history.
Through Syd's investigation, Lillie shines a light on the complexities of colonialism and its lasting impact on Indigenous communities. The character of Syd, who is both a protagonist and an observer of Narragansett culture, allows readers to experience the richness and diversity of Native American traditions firsthand.
As Lillie herself notes, her goal in writing "The Bone Thief" was not only to create a thrilling mystery but also to spark conversations about the often-missed histories of New England's Indigenous peoples. By doing so, she offers a compelling exploration of the intersections between history, culture, and identity – one that is both thought-provoking and deeply engaging.
Ultimately, "The Bone Thief" serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and authenticity in storytelling. By centering the experiences of Native American characters, Lillie not only creates a unique reading experience but also challenges readers to confront their own biases and assumptions about Indigenous cultures.
With its intricate plot, vivid historical context, and thought-provoking themes, "The Bone Thief" is a must-read for fans of mystery thrillers, as well as anyone interested in exploring the rich and complex history of New England's Indigenous peoples.
Lillie's extensive research on Narragansett history is evident throughout the book, which delves into topics such as the false narrative of the first Thanksgiving, Indigenous erasure, and the ongoing struggles faced by Native American communities. By exploring these themes through the lens of a mystery thriller, Lillie sheds light on powerful and often-overlooked aspects of New England's history.
Through Syd's investigation, Lillie shines a light on the complexities of colonialism and its lasting impact on Indigenous communities. The character of Syd, who is both a protagonist and an observer of Narragansett culture, allows readers to experience the richness and diversity of Native American traditions firsthand.
As Lillie herself notes, her goal in writing "The Bone Thief" was not only to create a thrilling mystery but also to spark conversations about the often-missed histories of New England's Indigenous peoples. By doing so, she offers a compelling exploration of the intersections between history, culture, and identity – one that is both thought-provoking and deeply engaging.
Ultimately, "The Bone Thief" serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and authenticity in storytelling. By centering the experiences of Native American characters, Lillie not only creates a unique reading experience but also challenges readers to confront their own biases and assumptions about Indigenous cultures.
With its intricate plot, vivid historical context, and thought-provoking themes, "The Bone Thief" is a must-read for fans of mystery thrillers, as well as anyone interested in exploring the rich and complex history of New England's Indigenous peoples.
i had no idea about all these cool facts about narragansett history and the first thanksgiving is literally not what we've been taught in school 
anyway, i loved how the author wove together different storylines to create this super engaging mystery thriller i also appreciated how the main character syd is a two spirit person which added so much depth to the story 
can someone explain to me how to write a book like this tho? what's the best way to do research and stuff 
The way Vanessa Lillie weaves together real-life history with a gripping mystery is pure genius 
I loved how Syd's investigation shed light on so many important topics, like colonialism and Indigenous erasure 
Can't wait to see more books that tackle these kinds of complex themes with such skill and sensitivity 
. Syd's character is so well-written, I love how she's both investigating these crimes while also navigating her own identity as a Two Spirit person. It's like Lillie's finally given voice to the stories that need to be told! 
I'm telling you, this new book by Vanessa Lillie is more than just a thriller... it's like she's digging up some deep stuff on our government, aka The Corporation 
. I mean, think about it, they're finally bringing attention to the real history of New England Indigenous peoples, and not that watered-down Thanksgiving narrative we've been fed for centuries 
. And what do you know? There's a Two Spirit protagonist who's also queer... sounds like some folks are trying to normalize and humanize Native American experiences 
. But let's be real, this is all just a smokescreen, right? It's about time someone brought the truth to light 
, but I'm still waiting for someone to connect the dots between this book and... you know, some other stuff 
.
She did so much research on Narragansett history and it shows! The way she weaves together mystery and thriller with real-life history is like, totally genius 
. Representation matters, and Lillie is doing her part by centering Native American characters and experiences.
I also appreciated how the author centered the experiences of Native American characters, it's not often you see queerness and Two Spirit identity represented in a thriller like this 