Knock Off

Though dealing with counterfeit products, this fiction debut by the ghostwriter of Dr. Sam Sheppard's Endure and Conquer is the genuine article: an involving expose of an insidious white-collar ripoff. When a faulty tie-rod connector causes a horrible automobile accident that kills a young physician and his family, the ensuing investigation leads the FBI to a complex trail of copycat products being foisted upon American consumers as the Real McCoy. Barry Warner, high-rolling founder and CEO of the 650-store national Upscale Discount Department Store Chain, is facing bankruptcy because he overextended the corporation with large bank loans to finance a leveraged buyout. Forced to turn to Commonwealth Investment Services, a front for Colombian drug money, Warner knowingly makes a deal to provide shelf space for their comprehensive inventory of counterfeit products. When Commonwealth learns that its ersatz auto-parts distributor is under FBI investigation for the faulty tie-rod end, it contracts the murder of the distributor and his son to keep them from talking. But further problems arise, this time at Upscale because of counterfeit perfumes, and when word gets back to Dan Sculley, the banker who made the loan financing the LBO at Upscale, things close in on Warner. By offering plenty of rare detail about retailing and the underseams of white-collar crime, Levy overcomes some awkward characterization and writing to deliver an engrossing and eye-opening read. 10,000 first printing; $20,000 ad/promo. (Aug.)