News Summary
Vanessa Lillie, an author from Providence, is set to release her new thriller, The Bone Thief, on October 28. Following her USA TODAY bestseller Blood Sisters, this narrative intertwines Indigenous themes with a gripping mystery centered around the theft of skeletal remains and a missing teenage girl. Lillie draws from her Cherokee heritage to authentically address the challenges faced by Indigenous communities while celebrating Native American Heritage Month.
Providence, Rhode Island – Vanessa Lillie, an author based in Providence, is set to release her latest thriller, The Bone Thief, on October 28, 2025. The launch coincides with Native American Heritage Month in November, positioning the novel within a culturally significant timeframe. Following her USA TODAY bestseller Blood Sisters, Lillie’s new work is expected to capture readers’ attention with its compelling storyline and deep exploration of Indigenous themes.
The Bone Thief follows the journey of Syd Walker, an archaeologist working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The narrative unfolds around two mysterious events: the theft of newly discovered skeletal remains at a summer camp in Narragansett and the disappearance of a Native teenage girl. As Syd delves into these mysteries, her investigation uncovers a web of issues involving the Founders Society, a secretive historical group that claims ancestral rights to the land where the remains were found, setting the stage for a confrontation with the Narragansett Tribe, which opposes these claims.
Throughout her investigation, Walker discovers a disturbing pattern of disappearances linked to the skeletal remains and the missing girl, reflecting a broader history of violence and colonization faced by Indigenous peoples. This intricate narrative dives deep into themes of Native identity, historical erasure, and tribal rights, alongside pressing real-world issues such as the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Movement.
Author Vanessa Lillie draws from her own Cherokee heritage, as she is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation and traces her lineage back to the Trail of Tears. The protagonist’s last name, Walker, is inspired by Lillie’s Cherokee ancestors who were relocated to Oklahoma, providing a personal touch to the narrative.
In preparation for writing The Bone Thief, Lillie conducted extensive research by connecting with the Narragansett Tribe. She participated in the Tribe’s Annual August Meeting, which is recognized as the oldest recorded powwow in North America. Furthermore, she joined the board of the Tomaquag Museum, the only Indigenous-led museum in Rhode Island, further solidifying her commitment to authentically represent Indigenous voices in her work.
The storyline of The Bone Thief is also interwoven with historical events, including the Great Swamp Massacre of 1675, a significant moment for the Narragansett Tribe during King Philip’s War. Publishers Weekly has praised Lillie’s exploration of who possesses the authority to narrate history through a gripping mystery framework, highlighting the depth of the issues she addresses in her work.
Vanessa Lillie is also known for her previous books, which include Little Voices, For the Best, and the Young Rich Widows series. The forthcoming release of The Bone Thief is eagerly anticipated by fans and critics alike.
To celebrate the launch of The Bone Thief, a party is scheduled for October 27, 2025, at Ink Fish Books in Warren, Rhode Island. Tickets for the event are priced at $5, allowing attendees to engage with Lillie’s literary exploration of Indigenous issues and her connections to the land.
Lillie’s latest thriller, The Bone Thief, not only serves as a captivating narrative but also brings to light the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities in America, emphasizing the need for recognition, respect, and reconciliation.
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Additional Resources
- Providence Journal: The Bone Thief
- Boston.com: Q&A with Vanessa Lillie
- WPRI: Vanessa Lillie Promotes Indigenous Authors
- Wikipedia: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- Google Search: Indigenous Rights
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