Fake - by Erica Katz (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"Fake is great fun, offering a peek into a world of glitz that most of us will never glimpse firsthand." --Washington Post

From the author of The Boys' Club, a gripping novel set in the high-stakes world of art forgery that moves across the globe, from the trendy art galleries of Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood to the high-flying international art fairs of Hong Kong.

Can you spot the difference?

Emma Caan is a fake.

She's a forger, an artist who specializes in nineteenth-century paintings. But she isn't a criminal; her copies are commissioned by museums and ultra-wealthy collectors protecting their investments. Emma's more than mastered a Gauguin brushstroke and a van Gogh wheat field, but her work is sometimes a painful reminder of the artistic dreams she once chased for herself, when she was younger and before her family and her world fell apart.

When oligarch art collector Leonard Sobetsky unexpectedly appears with an invitation, Emma sees a way out--a new job, a new path for herself, and access to the kind of money she needs to support her unstable and recently widowed mother.

But every invitation incurs an obligation . . . and Emma isn't prepared for what's to come. As she's pulled further into Leonard's opulent scene, she will discover what's lurking beneath the glitz and glamour. When she does, the past she's worked hard to overcome will collide with the present, making her wonder how much of her carefully curated life is just as fake as her forgeries . . .

Review Quotes

"Forgery, felonies and the world of fine art combine in this exhilarating thriller. . . . Readers who revel in seductive temptation will love this." -- BookTrib

"A fast-paced ride through the glitz and glamour of New York's art scene. Gripping and heartfelt, Fake will probe readers to consider what's real in a world where the images we portray are more carefully curated than ever." -- Carola Lovering, bestselling author of Tell Me Lies and Too Good to Be True

"Erica Katz's Fake is a propulsive and engrossing portrait of a young artist's struggle for verity in a world dominated by illusion. Katz's evocative writing and vivid depiction of the art world make Fake a truly phenomenal book you won't want to miss!" -- Katherine St. John, author of The Siren

"A gripping, glittering deep dive into one artist's present--and the past that she can't quite escape. Fake will transport you across the globe, exposing what really lies under the glamour of this decadent art scene. Evocative, entertaining, and highly original, with writing that will keep readers turning pages and perpetually questioning what's real--and what isn't." -- Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, bestselling author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here

"A wonderful descent into the New York art world led by a hero you won't soon forget. . . .A little chick lit, a little Devil Wears Prada, and a little Barbara Shapiro, Fake should find broad appeal." -- First Clue

Praise for The Boys' Club: "Sharply observed and utterly engrossing, The Boys' Club is part coming of age story, part riveting workplace drama, set in the world of big firm law where one young female associate finds that getting ahead means there are no good choices." -- Kimberly McCreight, New York Times bestselling author of A Good Marriage

"A propulsive thriller. . . . Genuinely captivating entertainment. Katz remains a writer to watch." -- Publishers Weekly

"Written under a pseudonym by a currently practicing lawyer, The Boys' Club tracks one woman's entry into the male-dominated world of high-stakes law and what happens when her carefully planned life spins out of control." -- Good Morning America, "New Must-Read Books for the Ultimate Escape in August"

"Fast, sharp and utterly compulsive, The Boys' Club hit me right where I live in the most satisfying way possible. Erica Katz writes a wildly juicy story of office politics with the rare warmth and empathy of a true insider." -- Chandler Baker, New York Times bestselling author of Whisper Network

"The Firm, but from a female perspective, with sharp insight into all it entails to succeed as a woman in corporate America. A smart and thrilling page-turner--written with intelligence, heart, and incredible insight." -- Kathy Wang, author of Family Trust and Impostor Syndrome

"A knowing, nuanced #MeToo story from the world of corporate law, with juicy The Wolf of Wall Street-type action." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Fans of books and films like The Devil Wears Prada, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Our Little Racket will be entertained by the high-powered hijinks at Klasko & Fitch. . . . Nodding to current events, Katz provides a convincing argument for the power of #MeToo while showing that many industries still have a long way to go. . . . With this fascinating look inside the skyscrapers and behind the boardroom doors, Katz puts BigLaw on trial." -- Booklist

"An intriguing debut. . . . Anyone who's curious about the world of high-powered law firms will enjoy Katz's engaging and brutal novel." -- Publishers Weekly

"An exemplary art thriller. . . . It's a dizzying ride and Katz keeps the twists coming with some fine character work and a sharp eye for the absurdities and delights of the arts-minded jet set." -- CrimeReads