Although Sacred Ground has many plot devices of the mystery novel, its structure is unusual. Lackey uses a multiple point of view approach, following several different characters as significant things happen to them, although most of the novel focuses on Jennifer. This in itself is not unusual.

But early on, the villain is shown planting the artifacts and the bomb charge. Furthermore, because this scene is told from his point of view, the reader also learns his reasons. Thus the traditional mystery question of "who dunnit" — or, in some newer mysteries, "why he did it" — cannot provide suspense to drive the story.

In its place the author uses two methods common in modern fantasy: the parallel battle on a supernatural plane and increasing danger, building up to a series of action-sequences.

These are employed very effectively, so that the story acquires more tension just at the...