New York Times bestselling author Tana French, author of the forthcoming novel The Hunter, is “the most important crime novelist to emerge in the past 10 years” (The Washington Post) and “inspires cultic devotion in readers” (The New Yorker).
“Required reading for anyone who appreciates tough, unflinching intelligence and ingenious plotting.” —The New York Times
In the “compellingˮ (The Boston Globe) and “pitch perfectˮ (Entertainment Weekly) follow-up to Tana French’s runaway bestseller In the Woods, Cassie Maddox has transferred out of the Dublin Murder Squad—until an urgent telephone call brings her back to an eerie crime scene.
The victim looks exactly like Cassie and carries ID identifying herself as Alexandra Madison, an alias Cassie once used as an undercover cop. Suddenly, Cassie is back undercover, to find out not only who killed this young woman, but, more importantly, who she was.
The Likeness is a supremely suspenseful story exploring the nature of identity and belonging.
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"Tana French is my new favorite author. I've now read her first three novels (completely out of order) and am really looking forward to her fourth, which is coming out at the end of the month. She is a truly unique author, able to take somewhat unrealistic plotlines and infuse them with amazing authenticity. It's almost a new genre - Irish magic realism - unbelievable plots made so real you're left thinking that what happened is part of your own personal memory."
— Suzanne (5 out of 5 stars)
[Tana French] aces her second novel. The Likeness [is a] nearly pitch-perfect follow-up to her 2007 debut thriller, In the Woods.
— Entertainment Weekly**“Tana French puts a clever twist on every lonely child’s fantasy of leading a parallel life when she creates an alternate identity for her detective in THE LIKENESS... Cassie is a character — the eternal lost child — you can really care about.
— New York Times Book ReviewThe writing is glorious, and the characters and drama so compelling
— The Boston Globe*Savor French’s turns of phrase and simmering suspense until the prospect of finishing shuts all distractions out.
— The Baltimore SunThe verve of her writing illuminates the uncanny experience of stepping into someone else’s life. [The Likeness is] a sophisticated thriller.
— The Dallas Morning NewsWhen you read Ms. French — and she has become required reading for anyone who appreciates tough, unflinching intelligence and ingenious plotting — make only one assumption: All of your initial assumptions are wrong
— The New York TimesTana French is the most interesting, most important crime novelist to emerge in the past 10 years.
— The Washington Post"[Tana French] inspires cultic devotion in readers…most crime fiction is diverting; French's is consuming.
— The New YorkerTo say Tana French is one of the great thriller writers is really too limiting. Rather she’s simply this: a truly great writer.” —Gillian Flynn
French is a poet of mood and a master builder of plots.” —The Washington Post
One of the most distinct and exciting new voices in crime writing.
— The Wall Street JournalFrench does something fresh with every novel, each one as powerful as the last but in a very different manner. Perhaps she has superpowers of her own? Whatever the source of her gift, it’s only growing more miraculous with every book.
— Salon.com" thought the story intriguing. The author was very influenced by her Irish upbringing. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in mysteries and psychological thrillers. "
— Carol, 2/11/2014" Tana French's novels, based in London are great page turners, with recurring detective characters. This was my favorite. "
— Leslie, 2/8/2014" So outlandish that it just didn't work for me. "
— Nishant, 1/28/2014" When I found out Rob wasn't involved in the plot, I was hesitant. As it turns out, I liked this book much more than I thought I would. I really came to like Cassie in this book, whereas, I wasn't too fond of her in the first. I'd really like to see a storyline from Sam's perspective...I'll keep my hopes up for that one. "
— Angela, 1/4/2014" Tana French once again pulled me into the world she created and held me captive. I had to remind myself periodically that the anxiety and tension I felt was based on fictitious people, relationships and events. I love it when a book can do that to me. "
— Lori, 1/2/2014" Fantastic...so much Bette than the first one. Fans of the secret history will really enjoy this. "
— Karen, 1/1/2014" The second in Tana French's Murder Squad series, this crime thriller delves into themes of self-discovery, identity and family all cloaked in a mantle of academia. Incredibly fun read, I did think the pacing was a little slow in spots, a little fast in others, but perhaps that life-likeness is part of what makes it so visceral and gripping. "
— Emily, 12/29/2013" One of my favorite thrillers- Tana French is awesome! However, I have found that I only enjoyed "into the woods" and "the likeness". She has since then written more books but I have found them slow and not as entertaining. "
— Sarah, 12/23/2013" Brought to mind The Secret History. "
— Amy, 12/22/2013" Great on Audible. "
— Susan, 12/13/2013" Not as good as In the Woods, but still an enjoyable read. "
— Cherie, 12/12/2013" Awesome read.. Love everything Tanya French writes... "
— Mary, 4/15/2013" This book was just as amazing the 2nd time. Everyone should read it! "
— Suzi, 12/16/2012" I really liked this book. An interesting concept and turn of events for the main character. Becoming a totally different person so you can solve a case. Well written. "
— Heather, 11/15/2012" French received the Edgar Award for In the Woods, but The Likeness and Faithful Place blow ITW out of the water! "
— Janell, 10/13/2012" I don't know? I couldn't put it down, but it was way to draggy, especially the ending, and it left me in such a bad mood. The Irish dialog was excellent "
— Chris, 6/29/2012" I don't often read modern day crime stories, but I really enjoyed this book. The plot reads like a gothic novel: mysterious lady, ominous house, suspensful mystery. I couldn't put it down! "
— K, 6/3/2012" I love that this book has a different plot than most "
— Maura, 5/9/2012" I really enjoyed this book. The character development was very interesting with a plot that keeps you guessing until close to the end. "
— Ann, 3/6/2012" I couldn't put this down. The characters really pull you in and hang onto you. As with Tana French's other books, I couldn't stop thinking about all of the characters for days. Definitely worth reading! "
— Ranhcm, 12/22/2011" After a very slow start this book got more interesting, though was a bit wordy for me. "
— Dale, 9/19/2011" This is the 3rd Tana French book I've read. All of them are beautifully written and spellbinding. "
— Reata, 7/2/2011" So much of this book was just great - the characters and their relationships were amazingly well drawn. The murder mystery was engrossing but I just could not quite suspend my disbelief about the premise that Cassie was a carbon copy of the victim - similar, yes, but identical, no. "
— Lee, 5/27/2011" Not as good as her first, but dang that first was good. "
— Lacy, 5/23/2011" I would love to be able to give this one 4.5 stars as this is definitely my favorite of hers so far... Unfortunately that is not a possibility! "
— Courtney, 5/17/2011" Loved this book! Pretty original idea, and it was a really fun read. I hated putting it down. I would reccommend it! "
— Laurel, 5/17/2011" Well, another book that she knocks out of the park. Usually this genre is a guilty pleasure but the author really displays a knack for controlled storytelling that goes beyond the whodunit. "
— Caroline, 5/15/2011" Loved it! couldn't put it down. Much better than her first book, In The Woods. "
— Jessilyn, 5/13/2011" Atmospheric, strong sense of place, psychological detective story set around Dublin, Ireland. When the cop (Cassie Maddox) goes undercover, she almost loses herself in her new identity. Very complex and great story. "
— Leslie, 5/10/2011" This was a solid 3-star story for me. IMO, much better than French's first book, In the Woods, though I still prefer Faithful Place overall. A great vacation read! "
— Dianne, 5/10/2011" Great sequel as Cassie goes back undercover to investigate the murder of a woman who closely resembles her. The premise is interesting although the taking on of someone else's personality is doubtable. Love the characters and am headed toward Book 3. "
— Jaci, 5/7/2011" I was disappointed when I realized I wouldn't get an answer to the mystery of the first book (In the Woods), but I loved it, anyway. I got as caught up in this group of people and the house as Casey did and it was hard to let go at the end. "
— Donna, 5/4/2011" Almost as good as In the Wood, although would have benefited by some cutting. Now I have French figured. She takes a major character from the current book and makes him/her the central figure of her next book. Interesting approach "
— Marge, 5/4/2011" The only negative I have about this book is that the "likeness" was a bit implausible. I just got over it because I really liked In the Woods by this writer, but if something like that would annoy you, it will annoy you throughout the whole book. "
— Kathleen, 5/4/2011" Very unique story. kind of hard to believe the story line could acually happen, but still keeps you interested till the last page. <br/> "
— Erinndave, 5/2/2011Tana French is the award-winning author of several New York Times bestselling novels. She has won many awards for her fiction, including the Edgar, Anthony, Barry, Macavity, and IVCA Clarion awards, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Mystery/Thriller, and the Irish Book Award for Best Crime Fiction. She grew up in Ireland, Italy, the US, and Malawi, and trained as an actress at Trinity College Dublin before becoming a writer.
Heather O’Neill is a Canadian novelist, poet, short story writer, screenwriter, and essayist. Her prize-winning debut novel, Lullabies for Little Criminals, was published in 2006 to international critical acclaim. Her novel, The Girl Who Was Saturday Night, and the short story collection, Daydreams of Angels, were shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize in consecutive years. The collection was also shortlisted for the Paragraphe Hugh McLennan Prize for Fiction.
Heather O’Neill has appeared in numerous Off-Broadway plays. Her audio narration credits include Blessed Are the Cheesemakers, The Accidental, Field of Blood, and The Dead Hour.