Mrs Shim Is a Killer - Jiyoung Kang
This book tells the same story from different perspectives — each character pushes us further into the tangled tale of a single mother, while also revealing their own life. Through these voices, we begin to understand the world in which the story unfolds and the choices the characters make.
The story begins when we meet Eunok Shim, a 51-year-old widow with two children to support. Her employer, the owner of a butcher shop, ends up in prison for gambling, leaving Mrs. Shim unemployed and desperately in need of money. She stumbles upon a detective agency’s job ad — and that changes her life completely. Thanks to her years of experience in the butcher’s shop, she becomes the perfect “problem-solver.” Perfect, because who would ever suspect an “old,” “unattractive” woman of murder?
The book is full of sharp humor and witty lines, such as:
“The warranty only applies to company employees. You’re a contractor. How could we expect you to commit suicide if we don’t even pay your insurance contributions?”
But beyond entertainment, it also makes you think. It touches on the subject of invisible women in their fifties — “too old” to be trained, “too young” to be hired before retirement. Society doesn’t give them a chance, and Mrs. Shim takes the only opportunity that opens up to her — work for decent pay. And here the author poses another question: what exactly counts as “decent pay,” and where do we draw the line of justice?
The storyline that touched me most was that of the mother and son who — so alike in every gesture and so deeply devoted to their family — secretly start working at rival detective agencies. They do it for one reason only: to make sure their loved ones don’t have to bear the burden of work anymore and can finally breathe freely.
That said, not everything about this book worked for me. At times it was too brutal, and some threads didn’t quite fit with the rest. Still, I devoured it in a single afternoon, eager to know how the story would end. The plot is fast-paced, surprising, and full of unexpected twists, which makes it hard to put down.
Who is it for?
It’s a book for those who enjoy thrillers with bite, mixed with dark humor and social satire. For readers who want to see how an ordinary woman breaks out of the mold and becomes someone completely different from what society expects.
Final thoughts
Murderous Mrs. Shim is a story that entertains, surprises, and makes you reflect. It’s impossible to remain indifferent — because who would have thought that an invisible, fifty-something woman could shake up a world dominated by men and ruthless rules?
