Hillerman masterfully depicts the differences and tensions between the Navajo and Zuni tribes. The Zuni's secretive nature and their beliefs surrounding the kachina spirits, particularly the frightening figure of the Masauwu, clash with Leaphorn's Navajo upbringing and worldview. This clash becomes central to the mystery as Leaphorn navigates cultural misunderstandings and prejudices to uncover the truth.

Both the Navajo and Zuni communities in the novel grapple with the challenges of maintaining their traditions in a rapidly modernizing world. This theme is explored through the characters' relationships with their respective cultures, highlighting the pressures faced by those caught between the old ways and the new. The murders themselves stem from a twisted interpretation of ancient rituals, further emphasizing the complex and sometimes dangerous influence of tradition.

As a Navajo lawman working in a predominantly white justice system, Leaphorn embodies the struggle for understanding and fairness. He walks a delicate line between respecting cultural sensitivities and upholding the law, often facing prejudice and skepticism from both sides. Leaphorn's commitment to justice, however, goes beyond legal obligations; he seeks to understand the motivations behind the crimes, believing that true justice requires empathy and insight into the human condition.