4.5 stars. 
 I loved In the Woods, and happily I loved this second one too. I understand they don't need to be read in order, but that's how I've started them, and that's how I'll finish them. 
 The mystery this time involves Cassie (from In the Woods) going undercover. She pretends to be a murdered woman that happens to be her dead ringer. Cassie (as Lexie) integrates herself into Lexie's life, which revolves around a weirdly tight-knit group of friends that live together in a large, old house. 
 The premise is a stretch, to be sure, but I didn't care. French nails the art of character development, providing slow and delicious insights into each of them until you feel you know them like your own family. French also understands how to pace a book; her plot arcs are perfect. Because of this, I don't care how ludicrous some of the ideas are, I just want to read MORE. Recommended!