Content Warning: This section discusses murder.

The motif of surveillance emerges as a significant recurring element in A Talent for Murder, serving multiple narrative and thematic functions throughout the novel. At its most literal level, the act of physical surveillance is a key component of the novel’s investigative plot. Lily’s pursuit of Alan at the conference in Saratoga Springs represents a pivotal moment in which this motif takes center stage. Swanson reinforces the motif with the revelation that Ethan is also tailing Alan, creating a complex web of surveillance that underscores the novel’s thematic interest in Appearance Versus Reality. The motif of surveillance extends beyond this specific incident, encompassing Ethan’s systematic stalking of Alan across multiple conferences, following not just Alan but also the women whom Alan interacts with and ultimately murdering them.

On a more abstract level, the motif of surveillance represents the characters’ relentless pursuit of truth and justice. Martha and Lily’s investigation into Alan’s potential crimes reflects a form of surveillance—tracing his movements, pursuing leads, and attempting to uncover the reality behind his façade. Swanson mirrors this surveillance in Travis’s persistent social media campaign seeking justice for Josie, illustrating how the act of surveillance can transcend physical space and extend into the digital realm.