Counterfeit

Counterfeit (2022) is an adult suspense novel written by Kristen Chen, the author of two other novels. The novel follows two main characters: Ava Wong and Winne Fang, two former college roommates. In the first part of Counterfeit, Ava, a California lawyer who is now an at-home mom, explains to a police detective how Winnie lured her into a scheme to sell replica designer bags. The second part of the novel follows Winnie as she flees to China to hide from the authorities and the former boss she and Ava framed. Her story reveals that Ava is far more complicit in their con than she’s led the detective, and the reader, to believe.

Counterfeit was a New York Times bestseller and a pick of Reese’s Book Club. It was also praised by outlets like The Washington Post and Harper’s Bazaar as a feminist caper and an incisive critique of prevalent attitudes toward Chinese people and Asian Americans.

This guide refers to the hardcover edition published by William Morrow in 2022.

Plot Summary

The novel opens as Ava Wong, a former corporate lawyer, is speaking to a detective. Ava recounts meeting her college roommate, Winnie Fang, in a San Francisco coffee shop.