Bones of Paradise has a lot going for it. Set in the backdrop of the harsh 1800’s Nebraska Sand Hills, it is a western, family saga, and mystery all in one.
” J.B. Bennett, a white rancher, and Star, a young Native American woman” are found murdered on the Bennett property. J.B.’s wife, Dulcinea who had left years ago returns after his death with her friend, Rose who is also Star’s sister. They both intend to find out who is responsible for their loved ones death. Then there is J.B.’s vicious father, Drum Bennett who ran Dulcinea off, so long ago and her two sons, nearly adults. Mix in the hired hands and a wide cast of characters and it makes for an interesting story.
The Nebraska landscape is also a central character to the story as is the massacre at Wounded Knee, from flashbacks.
I found the novel dragged quite a bit for the first 60 pages but as the story and back story started to unfold, it picked up. The writing is poetic and at times, hypnotic. I have never read anything by Jonis Agee before this but hope to read more of her work in the future. Recommended.
I received the ebook version for my honest review.
4/5
About Jonis Agee
Jonis Agee has been praised by the New York Times Book Review as “a gifted poet of that dark lushness in the heart of the American landscape.” She is the award-winning author of twelve books, including the New York Times Notable Books of the Year Sweet Eyes andStrange Angels. Her awards include the John Gardner Fiction Award, the George Garrett Award, a National Endowment for the Arts grant in fiction, a Loft-McKnight Award, a Loft-McKnight Award of Distinction, and two Nebraska Book Awards. A native of Nebraska, Agee teaches at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
