Content Warning: This section discusses murder.

The dichotomy between reality and appearance emerges as a central theme in A Talent for Murder, permeating the narrative structure, character development, and plot progression. The novel explores how outward appearances can be deceptive and how the truth often lies hidden beneath carefully constructed facades.

From the outset, the novel establishes this theme through the character of Alan. Martha’s initial perception of Alan as a “nice man” with shared interests is quickly juxtaposed with glimpses of a darker side, exemplified by the “expression of malevolence” that she observes when he thinks he’s alone. This dichotomy sets the stage for the central conflict of the novel and drives Martha’s investigation to uncover her husband’s true nature. Swanson positions Alan’s character as a template for how to approach each of the major characters of the novel, including Lily, Henry, Martha, and Ethan, all of whom hold various secrets of their own or use alternate identities to achieve their goals.

Swanson develops the theme through the novel’s structure, which alternates between different characters’ perspectives and narrative points of view. This technique allows the reader to see how characters present themselves to others compared to their true thoughts and motivations.