Audiobook Review: Light on Bone by Kathryn Lasky

Light on Bone
Author: Kathryn Lasky
Narrator: Nancy Peterson
Series: Georgia O'Keeffe Mysteries (Book 1)
Publication: Tantor Audio (September 6, 2022)
Length: 10 hours and 40 minutes

Description: Kathryn Lasky has written an exciting new adult amateur sleuth mystery set in New Mexico in the 1930s.

The sleuth is Georgia O'Keefe, who actually did suffer a nervous breakdown in 1933 when her husband Alfred Stieglitz had a somewhat public affair, was hospitalized for psychiatric treatment, and then traveled to the Ghost Ranch in New Mexico to paint. O'Keefe was approaching the peak of her fame and success, having just sold a painting for a record price. The narrative begins when she discovers the slain body of a priest in the desert. The plot includes several other murders, Georgia's burgeoning romance with the local sheriff, an international espionage plot involving Charles Lindbergh (who is staying at the ranch with his wife Anne), and lots of intricate twists and turns leading to a thoroughly unforeseen denouement.

The strength of this story is how Lasky's elegant writing captures the emotional depth of this artist's turmoil and so stunningly reveals O'Keeffe's perception of the landscape that moves her to paint. It is not simply a whodunnit mystery, but much more: It is a narrative of healing and resurrection of spirit.

My Thoughts: This historical mystery stars artist Georgia O'Keeffe. She is spending time at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico after a nervous breakdown. She loves the light and color for her art. One morning, on her way to paint, she discovers the body of a man dresses as a Franciscan priest. 

This discovery leads to an investigation which introduces her to a possible new love interest in the person of the recently widowed sheriff. It also has her interacting with luminaries of the day including Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh. 

The story includes murders, Nazi sympathizers including Lindbergh, a spy ring in the New Mexico desert, and child abuse. All of these themes are filtered through O'Keeffe's artist eyes. I enjoyed the writing both about the crimes and O'Keeffe's internal monologues as she comes to terms with where her life is now.  

The narrator did an excellent job with the tone of the book. 

I got this one through Audible Plus. You can buy your copy here.