Synopsis:
Detective Cassie Maddox is still trying to deal with the events of In the Woods. She is out of the Murder Squad and has started a relationship with fellow detective Sam O'Neill but is too badly shaken to commit to Sam or to her career. Then Sam is allocated a new case, that of a young woman stabbed to death just outside Dublin. He calls Cassie to the murder scene and she finds the victim is strangely familiar. In fact, she is Cassie's double. Not only that, but her ID says she is Lexie Madison the identity Cassie used, years ago, as an undercover detective. With no leads, no suspects and no clues, Cassie's old undercover boss spots the opportunity of a lifetime: to send Cassie undercover in the dead girl's place. She could pick up information the police would never hear and tempt the killer to finish the job. So Cassie moves into Whitethorn House, poses as a post-grad student, and prepares to enter Lexie's world. (20080801)
Review:
'French's second foray into the dark world of psychological crime more than proves she's the real deal'**** (Daily Mirror 20080611)
'Begin reading this and you won't want to stop (Choice 20080928)
'A literary crime stonker.' (Lottie Moggach, thelondonpaper 20080908)
'Creepily melding elements of Donna Tartt's The Secret History and undercover police procedural, The Likeness seduces from the start . . . A nifty tale of desire for belonging, as well as a cool thriller' (Time Out 20081018)
'Claustrophobic, conversational, clever and beautifully written' (Literary Review 20081018)
'riveting... hugely satisfying' (Irish Independent )
'An intricate and edgy top-notch psychological thriller.' (Woman and Home )
'Paints a vivid, gritty picture ( Psychologies )
'Police procedures, psychological thrills and gothic romance beautifully woven into one stunning story' (Kirkus )
'The Likeness isn't just a good page-turner, but a skilfully written modern novel . . . French has a brilliant ear for dialogue . . . Also in the best tradition of classic crime writers, such as P D James and Ruth Rendell, her characters are fully-rounded people and she is able to layer plots and storylines with a mastery that belies the fact that it is only her second book.' (Anne Marie Scanlon, Sunday Independent,Dublin )
'A truly creepy mystery thriller... so gripping you'll want to finish it in one sitting, no matter how many coffees it takes! ******" ( Now Magazine )
'Dense and filled with wonderful characters and atmosphere, The Likeness is riveting.' (Globe and Mail, Toronto )
'French's writing is lush, intense and gorgeous. She possesses an enviable ability to portray scenes so clearly that you feel you're there and can reach out and touch things or join in the conversation. Snap shots remain imprinted on your mind once the book is put aside.' (Sharon Wheeler,reviewingtheevidence ) --various
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