The Bone Picker

“A chilling collection of stories about the tricksters and other beings of Choctaw lore who refuse to be forgotten."—Kirkus Reviews


 

“This unique, compelling collection of stories inspired by tribal narratives brings readers into a world of well-imagined, engaging characters. The Bone Picker is skillfully rendered by a writer with a vast breadth of knowledge of history, ancestry, and place.”—Gordon Henry (White Earth Anishinaabe), author of Spirit Matters: White Clay, Red Exits, Distant Others

 

“A captivating collection of reimagined, originally oral stories that grab the reader and hold them till the end. The Bone Picker is well suited for anyone who enjoys a good scary story, particularly those interested in Choctaw and Indigenous cultures.”—Sandra Muse Isaacs, author of Eastern Cherokee Stories: A Living Oral Tradition and Its Cultural Continuance

 

“In this stunning assemblage of Native stories, Devon A. Mihesuah summons age-old gods, demons, witches, and other mythological tribal entities who use their abilities, equally magnificent and monstrous, to right wrongs, win justice, protect the disempowered, and punish those who act in evil ways. Though these stories sprout from ancient roots, they strike a balance between history and the here and now, making them as vital today as traditional Native tales were centuries ago. Compelling, empowering, and dire, The Bone Picker induces shivers while masterfully exhibiting the importance of Native storytelling.”—Nick Medina, author of Indian Burial Ground
 

“A thrilling collection of authentic Choctaw lore that blends elements of horror and adventure into a fast-paced, interesting read. I felt like I had been transported back in time with many stories I won’t soon forget. I couldn’t put this book down!”—Nicholas Sansbury Smith, NYT bestselling author of Hell Divers

 

“I stand in awe of Devon Mihesuah’s work. It’s timeless and haunting. I’ll be thinking of each of these stories for years to come. Each one is a handshake with the ancient, and the beings the reader and the characters meet in The Bone Picker aren’t always kind. What a privilege to read. I’d follow Devon Mihesuah anywhere.”—Richard Van Camp (Dogrib [Tlicho] Nation), author of Night Moves
 

“The Bone Picker will make you laugh, cringe, cry, and keep the lights on all night long. Mihesuah can write anything and knows more than she tells. I’m thrilled she has turned her hand to scary stories that will haunt readers long after the last page.”—Andrea L. Rogers (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma), author of Man Made Monsters
 

“The Bone Picker weaves together a bewitching tapestry of narratives drawn from the deep reservoir of Choctaw lifeways and mythology. It speaks to the “aliveness” of Choctaw stories and traditions, and their ability to communicate messages of resiliency, hope, and insight. Centered on the cultural continuity of the Choctaw people, the stories address the legacies of colonialism and the complications of the present world. This powerful collection from a gifted and talented Choctaw scholar reminds us that Indigenous stories, even scary and unsettling ones, are roadmaps in the search for meaning and ways of better understanding the past and the challenges of the present.”—Brady DeSanti (Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe), co-editor of Understanding and Teaching Native American History

 

“I love the harmonization of what we may call Indigenous cryptid stories and their relationship to the land and its people. These stories may frighten some and be eerily familiar to others as a typical backdrop to their lives. This collection is an exciting read.”—Trevino L. Brings Plenty (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe), author of Wakpá Wanáǧi, Ghost River