Tana French's The Likeness captivates with its intricate plot and complex character development, praised for its psychological depth and atmospheric prose. Critics highlight the slow pace and occasional implausibility of the narrative as drawbacks. Despite this, the book's engrossing mystery and emotional resonance often outweigh its flaws, making it a compelling read.

A reader who would enjoy Tana French's The Likeness is likely intrigued by psychological thrillers and elaborate mysteries. Fans of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl or Paula Hawkins' The Girl on the Train would appreciate French's intricate plotting and deep character explorations. This book appeals to those who enjoy unraveling complex narratives with a literary touch.

In Tana French's The Likeness, Detective Cassie Maddox is drawn into a case involving a murder victim who looks remarkably like her and was using an alias Cassie created during a previous undercover operation. Cassie goes undercover as the victim to infiltrate a close-knit group of friends living in a historic house, delving into their lives to uncover the truth behind the murder while grappling with her own identity issues.

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Dark / Contemplative / Challenging

- The Likeness is the second book in Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad series, which is renowned for its psychological depth and intricate plots.
- Tana French's background in acting is often credited with her ability to create vivid, emotionally compelling characters in her novels, and The Likeness is frequently highlighted as a standout example of this skill.
- The novel's central premise was inspired by real-life cases of undercover police work that French learned about, which often involve officers fully immersing themselves into new identities.

**Cassie Maddox**  
A detective and the protagonist who goes undercover to assume the identity of the murder victim. She navigates the complexities of her mission amidst personal challenges and the remnants of a past operation.

**Frank Mackey**  
Cassie's former boss and the detective leading the current investigation. He pushes Cassie back into undercover work, testing her resilience and independence.

**Daniel March**  
The charismatic leader of a close-knit group living in Whitethorn House. He is focused on creating an idyllic community away from traditional societal norms.

**Lexie Madison/May-Ruth/Grace**  
The identity used by Cassie for her undercover role and the murder victim whose life Cassie investigates. This character holds multiple identities and serves as a key to understanding Cassie's mission.

**Rob Ryan**  
Cassie's former partner and close friend whose influence remains significant in her life, impacting her thoughts and decisions throughout the narrative.

Tana French

Adult

Novel

Dublin Murder Squad

Fiction

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The Likeness Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue and Chapters 1-3

The Likeness Prologue and Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 4-6

The Likeness Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-9

The Likeness Chapters 7-9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-12

The Likeness Chapters 10-12 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 13-15

The Likeness Chapters 13-15 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 16-18

The Likeness Chapters 16-18 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 19-20

The Likeness Chapters 19-20 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 21-23

The Likeness Chapters 21-23 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 24-26

The Likeness Chapters 24-26 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Likeness Character Analysis

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Themes

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Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Likeness Important Quotes

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The Likeness

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