In The Hunting Party, Foley uses an important trope of the mystery genre: People aren’t always what they appear to be. Foley presents the theme “beware of surface perceptions” as a warning of how people project their perceptions onto others.

The first surface perception that is deceiving is the character of Doug. Doug is handsome but aloof, which frustrates Miranda, who wants to flirt with him. Although Doug’s job at the lodge requires him to work with people, he wants to be secluded and isolated. This makes him seem odd, but this perception isn’t the whole truth. Doug wants to be isolated because he wrestles with past trauma. When a murder occurs on Loch Corrin, Doug is immediately a prime suspect due to his history of violence. If someone wanted an easy suspect for murder, it would be Doug. However, this suspicion focuses on Doug’s past actions, not his many layers. Doug is kind, loving, and full of guilt and remorse for his past violence. Doug is not by nature a killer or inherently violent. In seeing his surface perception as large, standoffish, and capable of violence, the perceiver misses Doug’s need for compassion, empathy, and support.