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Vendor
Mohrbooks Literary Agency
Sebastian Ritscher
Original language
English

THE FRAUD SQUAD

Kyla Zhao

In this fun debut novel, CRAZY RICH ASIANS meets THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA when a woman who dreams of having her own byline in a high-society magazine enlists the help of friends to infiltrate the Singapore socialite scene, but finds belonging to the elite set may mean losing herself in the process.
For as long as she can remember, Samantha Song has dreamed of having her own byline in a high-society magazine and she'd do anything to get there. But the early death of her father, constant struggle to help her mom make ends meet, and her low social status make her dream feel like a distant fantasy.

Now, Sam finds herself working at a drab PR firm. The closest she'll get to that life is living vicariously through her socialite co-worker, Anya Chen. Then she meets Timothy Kingston: the disillusioned son of one of Singapore's elite families, and Sam's one chance at infiltrating the high society world of which she desperately wants to belong. To Sam's surprise, Tim and Anya both agree to help her make a name for herself in Singapore's socialite scene. The borrowed designer clothes and plus-ones to every party and major event can only get her so far; the rest is on Sam, and she's determined to make an impression on Missy, the editor-in-chief of Singapore's leading high society magazine. The deeper Sam wades into this fraud, the more she fears being exposed. With an anonymous reporter on the prowl for high-society gossip, Samantha must scramble to reconcile her pretense with who she really is before she loses it all.

Full of heart and ambition, THE FRAUD SQUAD sets out to prove that the background you're born with doesn't define who you can be. Bringing elements of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA to a new generation of readers, THE FRAUD SQUAD will also appeal to fans of FREE FOOD FOR MILLIONAIRES by Min Jin Lee, THE WINDFALL by Diksha Basu, and THE WANGS VS. THE WORLD by Jade Chang.

Born and raised in Singapore, Kyla Zhao graduated from Stanford University with a M.A. in Communications and B.A. in Psychology. Currently, she is a lifestyle and fashion writer at Vogue Singapore, and previously interned at the Singapore editions of Harper's Bazaar and Tatler. Her freelance editorial portfolio includes covering the Asian Television Awards and interviewing Nathan Sykes from the chart-topping boyband The Wanted. This book, inspired by her interactions with Singapore socialites, was selected for the 2020-21 Pitch Wars mentoring program.
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Published 2023-01-17 by Berkley Trade

Comments

UK: Headline

THE FRAUD SQUAD and Kyla Zhao were featured in Channel NewsAsia: Creative Capital: The Singaporean who wrote her first novel to escape loneliness during the pandemic Read more...

Readers will be eager to see how Zhao follows up this whip-smart and witty rom-com. Read more...

My Fair Lady meets Working Girl in Singapore... There is sweetness to this story of glitz and glam.

This glittering gem of a novel is an incisive reflection on the perils of status and the callousness of wealth. Rich with clever charm and scandalous sparkle, The Fraud Squad introduces a delightful and daring new voice in Kyla Zhao.

Zhao (not my cousin) showcases both glamor and grit in this thrill ride through Singapore's high society, balancing dazzling luxury with critiques of classism and inherited privilege!

Lush, swoony, and delightfully exquisite, The Fraud Squad is an unputdownable debut that will transport you into the lavish world of Singaporean high society. With an irresistibly relatable heroine and vibrant cast of characters, this book is perfect for fans of Crazy Rich Asians and The Devil Wears Prada.

THE FRAUD SQUAD and Kyla Zhao were featured in South China Morning Post: Stanford grad's escapist novel set in Singapore high society lands her a two-book publishing deal at the age of 23 Read more...

Immersive, cinematic, and exquisitely fun! The Fraud Squad is the perfect debut, full of high society high jinx, high-stakes, and the joy of finding oneself. A delightful, transportive ride, and the New Adult book I was waiting for!

Zhao's debut is a sparkly page-turner, with hints of Crazy Rich Asians and The Devil Wears Prada... A delightful blend of emotion and aspiration.

The Fraud Squad is a cinematic and engrossing peek into the world of Singapore's elite, as seen through the eyes of its ambitious heroine Samantha Song. As glamorous and page-turning as a glossy magazine, infused with sharp class critique, a vibrant cast of characters, and a poignant emotional core.