Author: Kyla Zhao
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Satire, Social Commentary
Ideal For: Readers who love glamorous settings mixed with witty social critique, fans of Crazy Rich Asians and The Devil Wears Prada, and anyone fascinated by the tension between ambition, authenticity, and the allure of high society.
Kyla Zhao’s debut novel The Fraud Squad is as dazzling as the designer gowns its characters slip into, yet as sharp as the unflinching commentary it weaves about class, privilege, and ambition. Set against the glittering high-society backdrop of Singapore, the book is both an entertaining escapade into the world of elite parties and a thought-provoking story about belonging, self-worth, and what it really means to “make it.” Zhao has crafted a contemporary novel that sparkles with wit, charm, and authenticity, while also striking a chord with readers who have ever felt like outsiders peering into worlds they weren’t meant to enter.
A Modern Cinderella Story — With a Twist
At its heart, The Fraud Squad follows Samantha Song, a working-class Singaporean woman who dreams of making a mark in the fashion journalism industry. Trapped in a stifling corporate job, she envies the glamorous lives of the socialites whose photos fill glossy magazines, and longs for a chance to break free. That chance arrives when she teams up with her wealthy friends, Tim and Anya, to create an elaborate charade: infiltrating Singapore’s high society by masquerading as someone from their exclusive world.
It’s a setup that feels like The Devil Wears Prada meets Crazy Rich Asians, but Zhao makes it wholly her own. Instead of just reveling in the spectacle of high fashion and champagne-fueled galas, she zeroes in on the precariousness of class mobility and the very human cost of pretending to be someone you’re not. Samantha is relatable not because she’s perfect or flawless, but because her yearning to escape the constraints of her background feels so achingly real.
Characters Who Feel Both Aspirational and Real
One of Zhao’s greatest strengths lies in her ability to create characters that feel layered and multidimensional, even in a world that could easily be reduced to caricature.
Samantha Song is far more than a social-climbing dreamer. She is ambitious yet vulnerable, driven yet self-doubting. Her insecurities, particularly about her family background, make her an empathetic lens through which to view Singapore’s rigid social hierarchies. Anya Chen, a glamorous socialite, could have been portrayed as superficial, but Zhao instead presents her as both magnetic and complicated. Anya is both Sam’s gateway into society and a reminder of the contradictions that come with wealth—freedom in some areas, but crushing expectations in others. Tim Kingston, the charming playboy with a heart, provides levity and wit but also embodies the possibility of using privilege for good. His friendship with Sam adds depth to the narrative, grounding the story in camaraderie even as the stakes climb higher.
Together, this trio becomes the titular “fraud squad,” bound by ambition, friendship, and the shared thrill of breaking into spaces that seem impenetrable.
A Glittering Yet Critical Look at Singapore’s High Society
For readers unfamiliar with Singapore, Zhao offers a vividly painted portrait of its elite social world: the galas, the Michelin-starred dinners, the obsession with status symbols, and the endless jockeying for influence. But Zhao, being Singaporean herself, balances this with an insider’s critique. The glamour is intoxicating, but it’s also a façade—one that reveals the hollowness and precariousness of a life built on appearances.
In doing so, Zhao brings nuance to the oft-glamorized “rich Asian” trope popularized by global bestsellers. Her Singapore is not just a playground for the ultra-rich, but also a place where class divides run deep, where ordinary people like Sam are reminded daily of what they don’t have. It’s a refreshing counterpoint that adds substance beneath the sparkle.
Themes That Resonate Beyond the Glitz
What elevates The Fraud Squad from being just another escapist social satire is its thematic richness. Zhao threads through questions of identity, ambition, and authenticity:
The cost of ambition: How much of yourself are you willing to give up to pursue your dreams? For Sam, success comes at the price of deceiving others, but also of questioning her own worth. Friendship and loyalty: Amid the lies and schemes, it’s the bond between Sam, Anya, and Tim that drives the narrative. Their friendship is messy and imperfect, but it’s also what makes the story deeply human. Imposter syndrome: Readers will resonate with Sam’s constant fear of being “found out,” a universal feeling that extends beyond high society into careers, relationships, and everyday life.
By embedding these ideas in a page-turning story, Zhao ensures the novel is not just entertaining but also emotionally impactful.
Zhao’s Writing: Fresh, Witty, and Heartfelt
Zhao’s prose is crisp and accessible, laced with humor but never at the expense of depth. She captures the absurdities of high society with a satirical edge, but also writes with warmth and empathy about her characters’ vulnerabilities. Her insider knowledge of Singapore lends authenticity to the setting, while her ability to craft dialogue ensures that the characters feel alive and modern.
For a debut novel, the polish and confidence of her voice are remarkable. It’s clear Zhao understands not only how to tell a story that hooks readers, but also how to layer it with cultural specificity that makes it stand out in a crowded market.
Why This Book Deserves Five Stars
The Fraud Squad succeeds because it delivers on multiple levels: it’s escapist yet grounded, glamorous yet thoughtful, witty yet heartfelt. Zhao has given us a modern fairytale that entertains while also interrogating the very nature of privilege and ambition. It’s a book that can be enjoyed as a breezy romp through Singapore’s high society, but also appreciated as a sharp commentary on the invisible barriers that shape our lives.
For fans of contemporary fiction, fashion-forward storytelling, or stories about ambition and identity, The Fraud Squad is an absolute must-read. Kyla Zhao has proven herself to be a voice to watch, and this debut promises an exciting career ahead.
You’ll Love It If You Enjoy…
- Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan – for its sparkling look into Singapore’s elite and its sharp humor about wealth and ambition.
- The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger – if you love insider drama set against a backdrop of power, status, and impossible expectations.
- Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton – for its exploration of ambition, identity, and the dangerous lengths people go to belong.
Final Thoughts
Reading The Fraud Squad feels like being swept into an exclusive party where you don’t quite belong—thrilling, intoxicating, and just a little dangerous. But beyond the glittering gowns and sparkling champagne lies a story that is heartfelt, resonant, and deeply human. Kyla Zhao has managed to capture both the allure and the emptiness of a world obsessed with appearances, while reminding us of the value of authenticity, loyalty, and self-belief.
It is rare for a debut novel to feel so fully realised, but The Fraud Squad does exactly that. Five stars for a story that sparkles as brightly as its setting, yet lingers in the heart long after the final page.
