Fake

A Novel

By: Erica Katz

Narrated by: Andi Arndt

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

“'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 . . .

©2022 Erica Katz (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Was Hoping for a Twist

I was captivated for the most part. The narrative was intriguing, but the naivety was irritating. I loved the detail given about this exorbitant lifestyle. The detail and passion for art in this novel really left an impression. But the storyline itself needed some sort of twist. I was hoping it wouldn’t be as directly obvious as it looked in the very first chapter. I decided to rewrite an ending with more intrigue for myself.

Still worth a listen though! The character’s and their backstories are intriguing even though they’re predictable. I did enjoy the book overall.

May try your patience

Had potential but but the emotions and perspective of the main character were flat. Not enough punch-in-the gut action or insight about the true nature of going through such an ordeal. Two dimensional.

More Erica Katz Please

Interesting and good read just like Boys Club. Looking forward to more books by Erica Katz!

Great story - dramatic and personal

Fast paced, good character development, well read, highly recommended story of personalities in the world of art and crime.

So, the rich hide their art in “Delaware” in order to not pay taxes? And I must pay tax on bug spray? Interesting.

I liked the story but it’s the same formula as her last book. Young girl experiences “rich world”. Glad I listened and was entertained. Yes, I would recommend.

Really like this author

This is the second book of Erica Katz I have listened to and it was really good. The narration is excellent and the story is fascinating.

Couldn't put it down.

Intrigue, mystery, great narrator. Characters well-developed. Instantly transported me into the protagonist's life and into her head. I'll be listening again and again.

Love this book!

Loved this book! Good read, I recommend it! When I started it, I didn’t know what to expect and I ended up just loving it. Give it a try.

Insufferable main character

I finished The Boy’s Club last week and was excited to see that Erica Katz had a new offering. I’m not sure if I’d have disliked The Boy’s Club as much as I dislike “Fake” if Julia Whelan hadn’t read it but … wow, is this book - and AndI Arnt’s take on it - BAD. The protagonist is so whiny and needy and uncool that her exploits make absolutely zero sense. The conceit of the story is a good one, the supporting character development good enough but, yuy, I have an hour to go and I just can’t bear to finish. Enough simpy sniffling!

Wow! Loved it ❣️

Im an avid reader and a book snob, that said I picked this on a whim because I work in an Art Museum… Love where I work💋 This is a great take on the behind the senses life of Art.. galleries, museums, collectors, buyers, Artist, there followers and art auction houses!!

Spot on and a great story- mystery to boot! Whats not to love 🎉

Shout Out to the Author this woven emotional tale and the storyteller she is to do so 5 stars girlfriend