The Maze of Bones

Grace wears a unique jade necklace with dragons on it throughout her life, and the siblings come to associate it closely with her. The necklace’s international origin connects to Grace’s past life as a world-traveling cartographer who could navigate any major city. When Amy finds Grace’s jewelry box, she sells the other jewelry but can’t bring herself to part with Grace’s favorite piece. Amy initially feels ambivalent about the jade necklace; she had hoped to inherit some keepsake to remind her of Grace but instead faces the emotionally complicated clue quest. By taking the necklace, Amy creates some semblance of the kind of relationship she hoped to have with Grace’s memory, wearing the necklace to stay emotionally connected with Grace. When she needs a little support, she touches the necklace “like it might protect her” (75). The necklace acts as a sort of good-luck charm or talisman, allowing Amy to remember Grace’s kindness and her unwavering belief that one day Amy would go on exciting adventures.

The dragons featured on the necklace point to a broader dragon motif that runs through Cahill family iconography. They therefore cue the siblings to follow the dragons on the ceiling that ultimately help them escape the burning mansion.