[2] In 1920s Oklahoma, the discovery of oil in the Osage Indian Territory has made the native inhabitants rich.

But good fortune brings tragedy as well; not only are the Osage losing touch with their culture and traditional way of life, but they have become targets of whites who marry into the tribe.

The novel focuses on an Osage girl, Nola Blanket, who witnesses her mother's murder by unknown men.

[3] Mean Spirit was selected by the Literary Guild as being "extraordinary...If you take up no other novel this year, or next, this one will suffice to hold, to disturb, to enlighten and to inspire you.

[5] Barbara Kingsolver in the LA Times found it "relentlessly sad" yet full of realistic, complex characters; she praised Hogan: "She's created empathy.