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Ancient Bones. A modern murder. A deadly secret buried deep in the desert.
In the vast untamed desert of northern Arizona, Aideen Connor signs on as lead archaeologist hoping to find peace after witnessing her husband's violent death. Instead, she stumbles into a mystery as ancient and dangerous as the land itself. Aideen's team uncovers a "bone hash," human bones showing evidence of prehistoric cannibalism. Then a brutal murder shocks the residents of the nearby Hopi Reservation. Unsettling connections emerge between the murder and her dig, and Aideen's world begins to unravel.
Aideen's boss blames her when the bone hash is stolen. Violent threats A sheep is viciously killed under her residential trailer, a photo of her dead husband left in its blood. A hulky stranger chases her across remote backcountry and attacks her. All threats point to a grim someone wants her gone. Aideen must navigate a maze of buried truths with only her dog, Dakota for companionship. Every clue leads her closer to the secrets buried at her dig that could cost her more than her career—they could cost her life.
In the vast untamed desert of northern Arizona, Aideen Connor signs on as lead archaeologist hoping to find peace after witnessing her husband's violent death. Instead, she stumbles into a mystery as ancient and dangerous as the land itself. Aideen's team uncovers a "bone hash," human bones showing evidence of prehistoric cannibalism. Then a brutal murder shocks the residents of the nearby Hopi Reservation. Unsettling connections emerge between the murder and her dig, and Aideen's world begins to unravel.
Aideen's boss blames her when the bone hash is stolen. Violent threats A sheep is viciously killed under her residential trailer, a photo of her dead husband left in its blood. A hulky stranger chases her across remote backcountry and attacks her. All threats point to a grim someone wants her gone. Aideen must navigate a maze of buried truths with only her dog, Dakota for companionship. Every clue leads her closer to the secrets buried at her dig that could cost her more than her career—they could cost her life.
- GenresMysteryMystery Thriller
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2025
7 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 26, 2025
This is the first book in a series featuring archaeologist, Dr. Aideen Connor. In Bone Hash, she is the lead archaeologist for a dig located on Indian land in Arizona. As she and her team unearth prehistoric bones that show signs of cannibalism, Aideen must also deal with a dangerous man in a black hat. Luckily, she has ruggedly handsome Frank Nakai—special agent with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)---on her side. Aideen will need his help when the bones go missing, and when her life (and her dog, Dakota) is imperiled.
This was a good read. It will be interesting to see how this series progresses. Finding a large collection of bones was an interesting way to get into the excavation of the pueblo, and what we learn from such endeavors. This comes at the time when my favorite series--forensic archaeologist, Ruth Galloway by Elly Griffiths, has made her last appearance. I’m looking forward to book two.
I would like to thank Artemesia Publishing and LibraryThing for the opportunity to read and review this mystery novel.
This was a good read. It will be interesting to see how this series progresses. Finding a large collection of bones was an interesting way to get into the excavation of the pueblo, and what we learn from such endeavors. This comes at the time when my favorite series--forensic archaeologist, Ruth Galloway by Elly Griffiths, has made her last appearance. I’m looking forward to book two.
I would like to thank Artemesia Publishing and LibraryThing for the opportunity to read and review this mystery novel.
August 14, 2025
Archaeologist Aideen Connor, haunted by the tragic death of her husband, must find strength to overcome challenges in her quest to uncover secrets from the ancient past in Bone Hash by Skye Griffith. The murder mystery/suspense captures the harsh, unforgiving beauty of the American Southwest as Aideen starts her life anew as the lead archaeologist at Moenkopi Ridge, an Ancestral Pueblo settlement. However, Aideen awakes to danger when a stranger barges into her motel room seeking a photo of an native woman he left behind. She escapes his clutches and reports the incident to tribal policemen. When she drives to the archaeological dig, the stranger rams her mustang off the road.
Incidents at the archeological site becomes deadly when a bone hash showing signs of cannibalism from the past is uncovered by Aideen’s archaeological team but then is stolen. As Aideen faces other threats to her career and life, she struggles to connect the web of events: murder of a Hopi woman, deadly intruders at the dig, and illegal drugs hidden among stored artifacts. Ultimately, she must delve into her tragic past to save her career and her life in a riveting climax full of twists.
Author Skye Griffith masterfully weaves the Southwest landscape into the story to help create suspense. Creatures lurk everywhere in darkness, ready to strike like her adversaries. The meticulous details of various tribal enforcement agencies and archaeological digs add depth and reality to the story. The action scenes are heart-pounding, particularly the climax. The twists will keep you turning the pages to find out how the various incidents are connected.
The narrative is told from the first-person perspective of Aideen, a spunky and resilient woman who meets challenges head-on. Even so, she sometimes shows her vulnerability due to her husband’s untimely death that she was unable to prevent. She has formed a strong bond with companion dog, Dallas, whom she rescued. Their interplay blends smoothly in the plot line and adds to poignant moments. The climax and ending resonate with me because Aideen uses the tragedy of her husband’s death to gain strength and overcome threats to her life and career, so she can move forward. The epilogue promises more stories about Aideen in the future.
Set in the Southwest, Bone Hash is a gripping, multi-layered mystery/suspense with a memorable archaeologist sleuth that fans of Tony and Anne Hillerman might enjoy. Highly recommended.
Incidents at the archeological site becomes deadly when a bone hash showing signs of cannibalism from the past is uncovered by Aideen’s archaeological team but then is stolen. As Aideen faces other threats to her career and life, she struggles to connect the web of events: murder of a Hopi woman, deadly intruders at the dig, and illegal drugs hidden among stored artifacts. Ultimately, she must delve into her tragic past to save her career and her life in a riveting climax full of twists.
Author Skye Griffith masterfully weaves the Southwest landscape into the story to help create suspense. Creatures lurk everywhere in darkness, ready to strike like her adversaries. The meticulous details of various tribal enforcement agencies and archaeological digs add depth and reality to the story. The action scenes are heart-pounding, particularly the climax. The twists will keep you turning the pages to find out how the various incidents are connected.
The narrative is told from the first-person perspective of Aideen, a spunky and resilient woman who meets challenges head-on. Even so, she sometimes shows her vulnerability due to her husband’s untimely death that she was unable to prevent. She has formed a strong bond with companion dog, Dallas, whom she rescued. Their interplay blends smoothly in the plot line and adds to poignant moments. The climax and ending resonate with me because Aideen uses the tragedy of her husband’s death to gain strength and overcome threats to her life and career, so she can move forward. The epilogue promises more stories about Aideen in the future.
Set in the Southwest, Bone Hash is a gripping, multi-layered mystery/suspense with a memorable archaeologist sleuth that fans of Tony and Anne Hillerman might enjoy. Highly recommended.
September 14, 2025
Bone Hash, by Skye Grifith. Publisher Artemesia Publishing, 2025
An intriguing blend of mystery and archeology, grounded in the dry and sandy Southwest near Taos, New Mexico, this debut novel catches your attention from the beginning. Its energetic style and its puzzles hold you until its grand finale when you can relax your tensed muscles. Protagonist Aideen Connor is new on the job, and she’s tossed headfirst into a thriller when her crew discovers a collection of human bones and indications of ancient cannibalism, a “bone hash.” Then a member of a nearby reservation is murdered, dragging in federal officials, disturbing local populations, and threatening ever-greater impacts. Aideen is no remote, uninvolved boss, and she soon finds herself and her intelligent, courageous dog Dakota in danger as victims. Her unexpected emotional response to a BLM Special Agent sweetens the rewards once the case is solved. You’ll close the cover, looking forward to the next whodunnit from a refreshing new talent.
An intriguing blend of mystery and archeology, grounded in the dry and sandy Southwest near Taos, New Mexico, this debut novel catches your attention from the beginning. Its energetic style and its puzzles hold you until its grand finale when you can relax your tensed muscles. Protagonist Aideen Connor is new on the job, and she’s tossed headfirst into a thriller when her crew discovers a collection of human bones and indications of ancient cannibalism, a “bone hash.” Then a member of a nearby reservation is murdered, dragging in federal officials, disturbing local populations, and threatening ever-greater impacts. Aideen is no remote, uninvolved boss, and she soon finds herself and her intelligent, courageous dog Dakota in danger as victims. Her unexpected emotional response to a BLM Special Agent sweetens the rewards once the case is solved. You’ll close the cover, looking forward to the next whodunnit from a refreshing new talent.
July 19, 2025
I hope there is a series planned, because I loved Aideen's gritty determination and smarts. (Loved Dakota too!) I learned a lot about the complex challenges of archeological sites especially in this region. I love novels that give me a strong sense of place and teach me something about a field I know nothing about. Skye gave a great sense of the setting. In every chapter, I could feel the heat and see the mesas.
This was a page-turner. The suspense kept me guessing even when I wasn’t reading. I recommend this for anyone who loves mysteries, great female protagonists, and wants a virtual trip to the desert southwest.
This was a page-turner. The suspense kept me guessing even when I wasn’t reading. I recommend this for anyone who loves mysteries, great female protagonists, and wants a virtual trip to the desert southwest.
December 8, 2025
Action packed, this mystery drama kept me on the edge of my seat and I read late into the night to finish it! It was all there...intrigue, location, suspense, characters, romance, interesting information... a simmering stew of satisfaction. I'm looking forward to following Aideen as she travels to France!
July 8, 2025
This book is smart, suspenseful, emotional without ever feeling like it’s trying too hard.
Actresses are going to fight for the role of Aideen. And Dakota, the dog? Protect her at all costs!
Actresses are going to fight for the role of Aideen. And Dakota, the dog? Protect her at all costs!
July 16, 2025
New mystery author siting her story in the Southwest
Good debut novel. I’m sure we’ll be hearing from Skye again and I look forward to reading as her writing style develops.
Good debut novel. I’m sure we’ll be hearing from Skye again and I look forward to reading as her writing style develops.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews