Inheriting Fear is a collection of fictional short stories that examines several subjects and themes, including identity; concepts of community; adoption; religion; familial responsibilities regarding aging, gender, tradition and generational conflicts; and, social and political violence, racism, classicism and suppression, particularly involving American Indian characters and culture. Settings include suburbia, a West Virginia coal mine, Senegal and watermen communities on Chesapeake Bay. Many of the stories investigate the art of storytelling and how that art is integrated into everyday lives and history.