Tana French made a surprise splash with critics and readers when her debut novel "In the Woods" was released last year. Aside from spending weeks on numerous best-seller lists, "In the Woods" also won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. "In the Woods" explored the murder of a girl in Dublin, which is where French grew up. (She also spent time in Italy, the U.S. and Malawi.) Now, French's detective heroine Cassie Maddox is back with another densely plotted psychological thriller, "The Likeness." As "The Likeness" opens, Maddox is still trying to get her head straight, following the grim events which unfolded during In the Woods. Peace of mind is not likely to happen since Maddox's next murder case is lead by a detective she may or may not be falling in love with. Furthermore, the victim is named Lexie Madison, the very name Maddox once used while working undercover. Oh by the way, the victim also bears a striking resemblance to Cassie. So, naturally, Cassie (after some convincing) assumes the identity of the victim, in an effort to draw the killer out of hiding. The Likeness is one of those books which might strike some readers as highly imaginative - and others as excessively coincidental. Either way, French is doing something right. The Likeness is already being shopped as a great vehicle for a Hollywood actress. Whereas In the Woods had a subplot involving the construction of a major highway, which allowed French to explore the rapid pace of change in today's Ireland, "The Likeness" is a bit more psychological, with Cassie becoming entangled in her dual identities, and police fearing the case will fall apart. In the end, French absolutely delivers with this substantive thriller. ($25.95 / 480 pages / Viking)