Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
TL;DR: Detective Cassie Maddox is called to a murder scene and shocked to find that the victim, a young woman, looks exactly like her and carries ID under “Lexie Madison,” a false identity Cassie once used undercover. To find the killer, Cassie goes undercover as Lexie, moving into a remote house with Lexie's four close friends, and is drawn into their seductive, secretive world.
Table of Contents
The Likeness at a Glance
| Author | Tana French |
| First published | 2008 |
| Type | Crime novel |
| Best for | readers who want an atmospheric psychological mystery |
The Likeness is the second novel in Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad series, published in 2008. It is famous for its gripping premise and rich atmosphere. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes murder, violence and emotional manipulation.
Main Characters
- Cassie Maddox: A detective who goes undercover.
- Lexie Madison: The murdered woman who looks like Cassie.
- Frank Mackey: An undercover operations officer.
- Daniel March: The leader of Lexie's friend group.
- Sam O'Neill: Cassie's boyfriend, a detective.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
The double
A young woman is found stabbed to death in a cottage near the village of Glenskehy. She looks exactly like Cassie and is living under the identity “Lexie Madison,” which Cassie invented years ago for an undercover job.
Going undercover
Frank Mackey persuades Cassie to pretend Lexie survived and move into Whitethorn House, where Lexie lived with four fellow graduate students: Daniel, Justin, Rafe and Abby. Cassie studies Lexie's habits to fool them.
Whitethorn House
Cassie is drawn into the friends' life together, full of books, music and shared meals. She feels she belongs. But the group has secrets, and tension grows as Cassie investigates.
Lexie's past
Cassie learns that Lexie was a woman who repeatedly ran away from her life, taking new identities. Lexie was pregnant and planned to leave the group. The villagers resent the house's owners.
The truth
The friends reveal that Lexie was killed during an argument when she told them she wanted to sell her share of the house. Abby, Rafe and Justin know what happened. Daniel dies in a confrontation. Cassie leaves undercover work and her old life behind, changed.
5 Key Takeaways
- Identity is fragile and can be reinvented.
- The desire to belong can be dangerous.
- Friendships can hide dark secrets.
- Undercover work blurs the self.
- The past shapes present choices.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- We can lose ourselves in someone else's life.
- Belonging can come at a terrible price.
- People run from their lives in many ways.
Who Should Read The Likeness?
Read The Likeness if you enjoy literary mysteries with atmosphere and psychological depth. It suits adults.
About Tana French
Tana French is an Irish-American novelist born in 1973 in Burlington, Vermont, who grew up in several countries and settled in Dublin. Before writing, she worked as an actor. Her Dublin Murder Squad series began with In the Woods, which won the Edgar Award. She is praised for her atmospheric, psychological crime novels.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of The Likeness:
- Why is Cassie drawn to the group?
- How believable is the premise?
- What does the novel say about identity?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether The Likeness is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of The Likeness, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is long and slow, but immersive and haunting, with an unforgettable premise.
Check price of The Likeness on Amazon
What to Read Next
- In the Woods by Tana French: the first Dublin Murder Squad book
- The Secret History by Donna Tartt: a close group with a dark secret
- Faithful Place by Tana French: Frank Mackey's story
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Likeness about?
A detective goes undercover as her murdered look-alike to find the killer.
Who wrote it?
Tana French, in 2008.
Is it part of a series?
Yes, the Dublin Murder Squad series.
Who is Lexie Madison?
A woman using an identity Cassie once invented.
Who killed Lexie?
One of her housemates, during an argument.
What age is it for?
Adults.
How long is it?
About 470 pages.
Do I need to read In the Woods first?
It helps, but it is not required.
Is there a TV series?
Yes, Dublin Murders (2019) adapts parts of it.
Where is it set?
Near Dublin, Ireland.
Who are Lexie's housemates?
Daniel, Justin, Rafe and Abby, graduate students at Trinity College.
Who are the main characters in The Likeness?
The main characters are Cassie Maddox, Lexie Madison, Frank Mackey, Daniel March and Sam O'Neill. Cassie Maddox: A detective who goes undercover. Lexie Madison: The murdered woman who looks like Cassie. Frank Mackey: An undercover operations officer.
Is The Likeness worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want an atmospheric psychological mystery. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.