Sacred Ground is full of social concerns. The plot revolves around stolen Native American remains and relics.

Much pain — both human and supernatural — follows their disturbance.

Four men are killed when a bulldozer blows up, just moments after the bones are rediscovered on a building site. As the story unfolds, we learn that they were taken for even worse reasons than the usual collectors' motives: to use as bait in a complicated insurance fraud scheme.

In placing these remains and relics at the story's center, Lackey makes three related points. The majority white culture has exploited and disrespected Native Americans' sacred beliefs and objects. As the Native American characters explain several times, we would be horrified to have our own ancestors' remains dug up and holy objects from our churches sold at collectors' fairs.

Additionally, it is not merely a question of respect for...