The ancient Japanese art of raku pottery is highly dramatic -- the colorful one-of-a-kind pots are pulled from the kiln, glowing and red-hot. But when Nancy and her friends visit a local crafts village, Bess is the one who nearly goes up in flames when she's showered with sparks! And that's only the beginning.

Nancy's been alerted by Theresa Kim, a rising young artist at the village, that someone is producing brilliantly made fakes and selling them as antiques -- for lots of money. Now the pressure is on for others to join the illegal operation. When Nancy starts to investigate, she discovers that amid the beautiful treasures lurks a very clever -- and dangerous -- counterfeiter. If Nancy doesn't watch her step, she may be the one going up in smoke!