Loved this deeply-felt, suspenseful, issue-driven thriller!

It's hard to incorporate issues that matter and a character that cares into a fast-paced thriller without dragging down the plot. S.A. Cosby does it masterfully, and so does Vanessa Lillie.

The book's premise is a very familiar one: a main character dragged back into the drama/trauma of her hometown when a crime hits close to home. But Syd isn't just your average thriller character. She's a member of the Cherokee nation who has left her Oklahoma hometown to continue to work on behalf of Native Americans as an archeologist for the BIA. She's also two-spirit.

When her sister goes missing, Syd is drawn back not only into a crime from the past, but back into the truly heartbreaking situation her Cherokee family and their neighbors are in, a tragic story goes all the way back to the Trail of Tears and continues in the present with the plight of missing and murdered Native woman.

Blood Sisters is a book that pulls no punches, but also has a deep humanity and sense of hope at its core. I'm not familiar with Lillie's backlist but will be researching it right away.

You can’t go home again. We’ve all heard it. There is much wisdom in the phrase. Things change. The place you called home has changed. You have changed. Things will never be the same. This is something most of us have experienced in our lives and can relate to, though, hopefully, in a less dramatic way than Syd Walker does.

In Blood Sisters, Syd, a Cherokee archeologist working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs is sent home to investigate the discovery of a skull. It was found in Oklahoma, very near a place where a much younger Syd almost became dead herself. But the skull is only the first mystery. Syd’s sister Emma Lou has disappeared, leaving Syd to investigate two problems. Where is Emma Lou? And who did the skull belong to?

Included in the story are details of Native American history and their mistreatment by the US government from early American history to today. Historically, the disappearance of Native women has been all but ignored. Syd feels obligated to do what she can to bring the facts to light, not only for the long dead, but also the recently disappeared.

Syd goes home as a stranger. Her family, friends and not-friends barely know who she is now. But some things never change. Biases that existed when she was a child still exist. Rich vs. poor. Non-native vs. Native. People that never left home vs. Syd. And none of them, including Syd, can leave the past behind.

Realizing this is the key to solving the mysteries. Syd becomes relentless in her efforts, sifting through lies and half-truths, making shocking discoveries, and facing her past.

Blood Sisters is very compelling story telling! I would have been disappointed if things had not turned out as well as they did but would not have been surprised. The mixture of drugs, kidnapping and abuse often lead to very unhappy endings, but the author managed to resolve the plot with hard-won answers, justice, and hope.

Through NetGalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.

I happily spent last week devouring BLOOD SISTERS by VANESSA LILLIE.

This book delivers on a twisty mystery + thrillery action, but the core of the story lies within sisterhood, family and the power of community. In the strength and determination of the women at the center of this book and the fight to expose past and present injustices.

One of my favorites plots is when a character has to make a reluctant return home and confront a past they have been trying to forget. Add in a found skull + a missing sister + a past mystery + a town who is resistant to anyone seeking the truth and I am all the way in.

Syd Walker, a Cherokee archaeologist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, lives in Rhode Island where she tries to protect the land’s indigenous past, and to escape her own. When she’s assigned to a case in Oklahoma she has no other choice but to confront a past that’s been haunting her for the past fifteen years.

A skull has been found on not far from the crime scene Syd narrowly escaped all those years ago. Not only does this skull has a tie to Syd, but she quickly learns that her younger sister has just gone missing. Intent on finding her sister & solving this cold case, Syd will stop at nothing to find the truth. Unsure of who she can trust and finding danger at every turn, this homecoming will change her life, and the lives of those around her, forever.

I’ve followed VANESSA LILLIE for many years and her personal passion and connection to this story infuses every page. This book is captivating and devastating as it explores the stories of missing Indigenous women. Inspired by and steeped in true events, I found it both eye opening and illuminating. And within the pain of this story, VANESSA LILLIE weaves in the power of love and hope, as some bonds can never be broken.

BLOOD SISTERS will be out on 10/31 and is definitely a book to add to your list. Another huge thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for my copy of this highly anticipated book. I’m beyond grateful to have the opportunity to read it early and share my love for this story.

Syd Walker is Cherokee archaeologist working for the BIA in Rhode Island. She is notified that bones have been discovered in her hometown of Pincer Oklahoma on the property where she witnessed a murder 15 years ago AND that her sister is currently missing. Syd's complexities make her a compelling main character. She is a Cherokee woman working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs trying to do good in an organization that historically did not always have the best interests of the Native people causing mistrust. She is fiercely determined to bring justice to missing and murdered Native women and girls. Her family relationship is strained due to her sister’s past drug abuse. The mystery was solid, and the twists were shocking! There were also so many action scenes, sometimes it felt like a movie. This was a great mix of procedural, mystery, and family drama. My only note is that I wanted more of Syd’s job-related scenes, the archeology process was so intriguing! I am looking forward to reading more from Vanessa Lillie.

Thank you, Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This book hit me right in the heart. It gets straight to the heart of Indigenous issues from the past and still occurring today. Land grabbing, the missing and the murdered women, shocking poverty, and the drugs that run rampant. I have read about the thousands of missing Indigenous women that vanish into thin air, and no one besides their family search for them. The police using the excuse that they ran off or some other line. It is a horrible story that is not going away until people stand up and help these women. I loved how Vanessa Lillie shines a light on this issue and she uses her own history to dive deep and churn up the emotions.

Syd Walker is an archaeologist working for the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs). She has moved from her home of Pincer, Oklahoma to Rhode Island. As soon as she finished college she was out of Oklahoma and tried never to look back. The night that she will never forget always in her thoughts. The night the devils came to visit and killed her friend Luna, and her parents. Syd blames herself thinking she could have saved them. When her boss contacts her and tells her a skull has been found with an old BIA ID of hers, Syd is at a loss. Jo convinces her to go back, and she is on a plane heading back to her childhood home. When she arrives, she is shocked to discover that her younger sister Emma Lou has been missing. Will Syd be able to find out what is happening in Pincer?

This book goes full throttle the entire way. There is no stopping once you start. The characters are phenomenally written. Making you want to dive into their lives. The hurt and the way the land of Pincer has been destroyed by mining will curl your toes. The unaccountability the government takes is astonishing, which through history has always been present. The ending shocked me to my core and made my hands shake with rage. This is definite must read in my book! Thank you to Vanessa Lillie and Berkley for my gifted copy!

From my blog: Always With a Book

I have been a fan of Vanessa Lillie since her debut novel, Little Voices, and have read everything she has written since. This new book is one of my most anticipated books this month and I’m so happy to say it did not disappoint!

This book is both horrifying and enlightening at the same time. It’s an extremely personal story for Vanessa and I love that she was willing to share it with us – she is from Oklahoma, where the story takes place, and to me, her writing about this makes it so much more authentic. I’ve read books that touch on Indigenous people before and the unjust treatment they have suffered but hearing it from someone who has a personal connection to it just makes it that much more powerful. It’s hard not to have strong feelings throughout this book, to feel angry and frustrated and even sad at the way things happen.

I loved the way this story is full of background while also being an engaging thriller. I was completely captivated by the missing women, wanting to find closure for them. But there is so much more that is explored here – how the Indigenous people are forever dealing with loss of land, their homes and businesses, drugs, and even poverty.

If you like police-procedurals and stories based on real life events, this is not to be missed. I went down the rabbit hole of research after finishing this one and know that I won’t be forgetting this story anytime soon.



Audio thoughts: This was a great story to listen to on audio. There were two narrators, Carolina Hoyos and Erin Tripp, and they did an amazing job bringing the story to life.

This was such a great surprise! If you’re in the mood for a police procedural-style book that you won’t be able to put down, this is it! There was so much action, it felt like I was watching a movie. Syd made a great protagonist, even if her decisions frustrated me at times. I enjoyed learning more about Oklahoma history and the way the author portrayed the indigenous people with dignity.

I was fascinated to learn how much of the story was based on real murders in a real town. I fell down the Google rabbit hole reading about the real Picher, Oklahoma, which I had somehow never heard about before.

My rating; 4.5/5

I received a gifted copy of BLOOD SISTERS by Vanessa Lillie for an honest review. Thank you to PRH Audio, Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!

BLOOD SISTERS follows Syd Walker, an archeologist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She is living apart from her family and the nightmares in her past. When a skull is located near the place where she was traumatized in her youth and she is informed that her sister is missing, she is called back home, a place she swore never to return to. Syd winds up uncovering many secrets along her quest to bring her sister home and uncover the truth about the skull that was found.

I really enjoyed this book and I think it did well at putting forth a solid mystery with family and community secrets to uncover. Syd was a flawed main character in some ways and definitely her own worst enemy at times, but a character that I really enjoyed reading and found myself pulling for.

I loved the relationship dynamics that the author creates between community members and family members. The blood sisters at the center of the story (and the title) show the bonds of friendship both in blood and found family.

This is a book with a lot of trauma, both in the way it clearly shows how indigenous people are treated and in the personal traumas that Syd and those around her have been through. I would recommend looking up a full list of trigger warnings if that might be a concern as there are a lot of heavy topics. The idea that so many women can just "go missing" with no one looking for them is something that is always completely heartbreaking - we are failing these women!

I am very glad to have had the opportunity to read this one and could hardly put it down! BLOOD SISTERS is out today!

Blood sisters drew me in immediately with the beautiful writing and relatable main character, Syd. She is an intelligent and driven archeologist determined to protect the indigenous people and their land. She is called back home when a skull is found where an horrific event in her past took place. When Syd returns home to find her sister has mysteriously gone missing, she refuses to leave until she finds her and brings her home. She starts digging into her hometowns past and the darkness that has been lurking for years, but nobody is ready for those secrets to be out.

This book was so so so good! I loved the jaw dropping twists that kept me from putting the book down, and how it shed light on the important topic of Indigenous people and their lack of rights and resources. Highly recommend picking this up when it is released October 31st or even better yet, preorder now! Thank you @berkleypub for the gifted copy!

This series launch by Vanessa Lillie does not feel like the work of a beginner. It is beautifully plotted, has a wide variety of three dimensional characters, and brings its people and settings fully to life. Along with all of this, readers will deepen their understanding of the issues that faced the Cherokee people but historically and to this day.

Syd is a Cherokee woman who works for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She has left the community where she grew up after a horrific home invasion and the death of her close friend. This character, Luna, is very much a presence in the book as Syd repeatedly hears her voice. In her current life, Syd is committed to her work and is in a relationship. Her wife very much wants to be a mother. Syd is not sure if she is up for this.

As this complex story opens, Syd has found a body in Rhode Island, most likely of a Narragansett woman. She is called back to her home community in mid stream when a case needs to be solved there. At the same time, Syd’s sister is missing. Her history includes addiction but would she have willingly abandoned her daughter?

Readers will turn the pages as they try to figure out what has happened to the people of this mystery and get to know Syd, her family and the others around her.. I recommend it very highly. It is atmospheric, suspenseful and (I would say) educational (as regards the treatment of the Cherokee and others.)

Fans of books as diverse as those by Carolyn Haines and Suzanne Chazin will, I think, enjoy this book very much. The writer is like Haines in that she has a ghost speaking to a character. Chazin is recalled because both she and Lillie have a deep understanding of communities and people of color who have not been treated fairly.

I will be most eager to read all of the books in this series as they are released. I hope that there will be many.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Syd is an archeologist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She is currently living in Rhode Island. She gets sent back to her home in Pincer, Oklahoma where a skull.has been discovered containing an old ID tag of hers. Someone is sending her a message that has to do with her past.
When Syd gets back home she discovers her sister Emma Lou has disappeared.
A powerful book that totally drew me in and didn't let me go until I read the last page.
I learned more about the Native American plight reading this story. An interesting mystery that will have your emotions all over the place as you read.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this book.

The spotlight falls on Syd Walker, an archaeologist of Oklahoma Cherokee descent, who has made her home in Rhode Island while working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Her tranquil life takes a dramatic turn when she receives news of human remains unearthed at a crime scene linked to an incident from 15 years ago. Driven by her unique expertise in archaeology, Syd is compelled to lend her skills to solving this perplexing case, while, concurrently, her own sister, Emma Lou, mysteriously vanishes. Her return to Oklahoma unveils a disconcerting tableau populated by a host of nefarious drug dealers, unscrupulous government figures, and wary townsfolk, all determined to silence her.

As Syd delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers a trail that leads her down an unforeseen and intricate path. Vanessa Lillie deftly weaves a riveting mystery, skillfully addressing significant societal concerns without resorting to heavy-handed preachiness. It's a rare book that wholly immerses the reader, and, in this case, the narrative's exploration of the alarming rates of disappearance and violence against indigenous Native American women captivates. With a compelling storyline and the author's remarkable storytelling prowess, readers will find themselves engrossed in the narrative well beyond the final page.

Vanessa Lillie masterfully constructs a narrative that integrates an array of issues facing Native American communities, including the heartbreaking themes of missing women, the loss of land, homes, and businesses, and the persisting erosion of respect—a reality still acutely felt today. Woven into an intricately designed plot, the story transports us to the heart of Oklahoma in search of a missing sister and a truth that resonates deeply.

A book that you need to read. Powerful!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So few authors capture the soul of Oklahoma and all its beauty and trauma. As an Oklahoman, I can say Lillie more than succeeds with her knockout introduction to Syd and her complicated family. She never shies away from the brutality so many indigenous women face, and she aptly explains much of the politics affecting indigenous people. Every character is well-rounded and heartbreaking in different ways, and the ending had me in a mess of tears. Can’t wait for the next book featuring Syd!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this advance view in exchange for my honest opinion.

Cherokee archaeologist Syd left her family, and painful memories, behind in Oklahoma. So when she’s called home from her dig site in Rhode Island to assist with the discovery of a skull, she’s hesitant.

When Syd gets back home, she’s greeted by ghosts from her past, and haunted by the news that her sister is missing.

Will she have the courage to face her demons, if it’s the only way to find her sister?

I liked this story. There’s enough history of tribal relations in Oklahoma included to give readers context, but not so much that it seems like a history lesson. All of these experiences shaped Syd, and give us insight into who she is.

The story did drag in the middle, for me, but there were some unexpected twists.

The ending was…confusing at first. Especially the POV shifts. But it was a satisfying conclusion.

Thanks to @netgalley and @berkleypub for the eARC. Blood Sisters will be released on October 31, 2023.

Check out this book if you like compelling stories about forgiving family and facing trauma.

This was my first book by Vanessa Lillie and it left me raw and in tears as I processed not only the magnificent story with plot twists I NEVER expected, but also the cultural relevance. It’s a fictional story but inspired by true events revolving around the fact that too many Indigenous women go missing and are ignored. I was especially moved by the author’s note and how well researched this was. If you’re looking for a thought provoking mystery/thriller, THIS IS IT!

An exciting read about Syd, an archeologist tuned investigator. She’s called back to the very place that haunts her to figure out what clues that have been left will reveal.
I liked that the narration was from the Native American perspective.
The bonds of sisterhood are strong and pervasive. There are a lot of shady, seedy characters in the book.
The action was non stop and I was on the edge of my seat with each passing page.
My favorites were Aunt Mercury and cousin Raya because their spunkiness were off the charts.

Thank you Berkley Pub @ PRHAudio #partner for gifting me a copy and audiobook!
———
I was very happy when Berkley offered me a copy of 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬! Since around this time last year, Ive been on the prowl to read more Indigenous own voices authors and books representing Indigenous people and their issues.

Vanessa Lillie’s Blood Sisters definitely needs to be on your radar if you’re looking for a book that showcases fierce, independent Native American women who will not be stopped, even when the establishment is designed to pull them back. I also want to mention here that the author herself is of Cherokee heritage from Oklahoma, just like the heroines in this book: Syd, Emma Lou & Luna. So you know the story is going to be pulsating and personal.

Even though this story of missing women was fiction, this is a true, alarming problem that has been continuously ignored by the U.S. government and media since generations. While I enjoyed the story of revenge and redemption in this fictional setting, it is also heartbreaking to read about the ongoing sufferings of Indian reservations and communities and that the resources such as the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) initiated by White colonists are flawed by design - all the cracks in the system which the author highlights really well throughout the book. As I was reading this book, I found myself googling what it’s like living in an Indian reservation and it was very educative to read the people’s experiences. I highly suggest you read Blood Sisters to open your eyes to our Native American blood sisters and brothers’ plights.

It’s no shock that I am a huge fan of @vanessalillie and her work. This was in my top for “Most Anticipated” this year and let me tell you-it did not disappoint. Vanessa has done a deep dive into the Indigenous population in Miami, Oklahoma (where she is from) and her passion, dedication and research really shines in this story.

I was saddened, shocked and horrified by the unjust treatment and all of the history wrapped into this. (Definitely deep diving Google since our school systems don’t teach it) Vanessa gives voice to the thousands of women lost/murdered and forgotten within the Native American community. This story tackles so many issues from the missing, stolen land, poverty and even the war on drugs.

While she gives us all this knowledge/history, she also gives us a bingeworthy and fast paced mystery. I was captivated and could not put it down. The bonds of the blood sisters and their quest to protect each other at all costs reminded me of my feelings/fierce bond I have with mine. I actually yelled out loud several times at Syd and at the end-I wanted more. I don’t know about you but that’s a sign to me of excellent story telling. Thank you to @netgalley for my advance copy!

Short synopsis: Syd Walker is an indigenous woman living in Rhode Island working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She returns to her hometown after a human skull is found with her police badge in its mouth. Searching for answers, she discovers her sister is also missing.

My thoughts: I didn’t know what to expect going into this one, but it was such an insightful (yet heartbreaking) story of missing indigenous women. The authors note at the end really cemented in some feelings I was always having as to the terrors and injustice being faced daily by the Indigenous people in Oklahoma. The families of so many missing women deserve closure answers.

This story pulled me in right from the beginning. I really enjoyed this page turning plot, the story of loss and family, and the mystery surrounding so many disappearances including Sister. Syd was such a great character with grit, determination, and perseverance to search for answers when everyone else had given up.

This one is sure to stick with me for a king time!

Read if you love:
- Bipoc stories
- Perseverance
- Books that stick with you
- Investigative mysteries
- Based off real events

Thank you to Berkley & PRH Audio for the review copies!

If you loved Firekeeper’s Daughter, but wanted it to be faster paced, and more adult - I have the book for you!

I couldn’t put this one down! Syd reminded me a bit of Bones, which is one of my favorite shows. She is an archaeologist who works for the BIA, and starts out the book investigating bones at a crime scene.

Not only is this an exciting mystery, author Lillie weaves in information about the Indigenous experience in America that both adds to the plot and can help you learn about American history and politics.

But what is always most important to me is the relationships! Lillie crafts characters who are both lovable and flawed, and the main character’s romantic relationship has some juicy drama!

As a romance reader, I could have used more time invested in the romantic relationship of course - but seeing Syd’s other relationships - her sister, her best friend who died when they were children, whose ghost haunts her, her family.

I hope this becomes a series, because I would love to revisit these characters!

🎧 This book does well as an audiobook. Any flashbacks are clear, so there wasn’t anything confusing about listening instead of reading. The narrators brought the characters to life with their performances!