From a major new international voice - gritty, humorous Korean literary crime novel about a housewife turned contract killer - for fans of BUTTER and KILLING EVE Discover the Korean cult thriller, for fans of Butter and Killing Eve. A hilariously unsettling tale of love, food and one woman's unconventional quest to support her family by becoming a contract killer. _____________ I am no ordinary ajumma. I am a killer Recently widowed and unemployed, Mrs Shim and her two children face an empty fridge. As her job options run out, she answers an ad for the Smile Detective Agency. Within weeks, she has turned it around. For Mrs Shim is sharp as a blade, handles business cleanly and is like a padlock when it comes to keeping secrets. By day, she prepares kimchi for her family and her neighbour with dementia; by night Mrs Shim is out on a contract. But what starts as a need for survival escalates into a thirst for vengeance. For Mrs. Shim is done with being everyone's doormat. Diving headfirst into her new career among petty criminals, ghosts and assassins, Mrs Shim's past soon comes hurtling towards her. Savage and unexpectedly moving, Kang Jiyoung paints a comedic world of twisted love, unhinged loathing and hopeful reinvention. Among the misfits and the meals is a powerful statement about class, capitalism and the role of women.

Details

ISBN13: 9781529957518
Format: Paperback / softback
Number of Pages: 368
Edition:
Publication Date: 28 Apr 2026
Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd
Publication City, Country: London, United Kingdom
Dimensions (cm): 21.4(H)x13.6(L)x3(W)382
Weight (gm): 382

Author Biography

Kang Jiyoung (Author) Kang Jiyoung is an established Korean writer based in Paju, near Seoul. She is the author of the story collections Goodbye Paradise, Time for Dogs to Eat and The Killer's Shopping List. Her novels include Quarantine Station of New Culture, Elza's Ha-yin, Circus in the Dark Forest, Frankenstein Family, Yawning is Delicious, Pheromone Boutique and Shopping Mall for Killers. Shopping Mall for Killers was adapted for television by Disney+. Mrs Shim Is a Killer will be published in over twenty languages worldwide. Paige Morris (Translator) Paige Morris is a writer and translator from Jersey City, New Jersey, who divides her time between South Korea and the United States. She has translated fiction by Hyun-Joo Park, Ji-min Lee, Soyeon Jeong, and many more.

Reviews

A struggling mother turns to contract killing to support her family in this darkly funny thriller... a rich narrative stuffed with surprises ... sharp and satisfying. * Publishers Weekly *
A dark ... book about love, loss, jealousy, friendship, and perseverance. The decidedly odd characters are riveting, with revealing descriptions of Korean culture. A fine pick for fans of quirky horror and gory mysteries. * Booklist *
An eye-catching mosaic of Korean culture as it builds to a tense showdown with a rival agency. * Times *
A bizarre and fascinating read, with the puzzle pieces slowly locking together for a spectacular final standoff. * Guardian *