Kang Jiyoung’s latest novel, Mrs. Shim Is a Killer (Harper Perennial; April 21, 2026; $18.99), introduces readers to a wildly chaotic, darkly humorous world where survival, family, and morality collide in razor-sharp suspense. The story centers on Mrs. Shim, a middle-aged widow and mother, whose life takes a murderous turn when financial desperation pushes her to answer a mysterious job ad.
Expecting a mundane cleaning position, Mrs. Shim is stunned when the Smile Detective Agency asks her to demonstrate her butcher skills with a cleaver. The agency isn’t hiring janitors—they want assassins. Scared but pragmatic, Mrs. Shim takes the job, discovering that the precision and skill required for contract killing aren’t so different from her previous work in the butcher shop. Her talent quickly earns her top marks at the agency, but rising success paints a target on her back. Rival assassins, jealous colleagues, and secretive competitors all threaten her family, her career, and her life, forcing Mrs. Shim to confront the ultimate challenge: taking out the leader of a rival agency.
The novel unfolds through a series of interlinked vignettes, each narrated by a different character connected to Mrs. Shim—from her targets to her colleagues to her children. Through these shifting perspectives, Kang Jiyoung explores not just violence and mayhem, but also social invisibility, family obligations, and the pressures that shape individuals’ choices. Characters such as The Boss, The Shaman, The Secret Agent, and The Neighbor all illuminate the complex web surrounding Mrs. Shim, gradually revealing her humanity, resourcefulness, and moral ambiguity.
Critics and fans alike will appreciate that beneath the carnage and absurdity lies a nuanced exploration of class, gender, and survival in contemporary Korea. The novel balances sharp, almost satirical humor with heart, empathy, and ethical complexity. Mrs. Shim is at once terrifying and relatable—a woman navigating impossible circumstances with both cunning and care.
Kang Jiyoung is an established Korean author whose work frequently features female assassins. Her previous novels and story collections—including Goodbye Paradise, The Killer’s Shopping List, and Circus in the Dark Forest—combine suspense, dark humor, and social commentary. The Shop for Killers was even adapted for television by Disney+.
With its sharp wit, brutal efficiency, and deeply human insights, Mrs. Shim Is a Killer promises to be a standout thriller for spring 2026. Readers who enjoy suspense with humor, moral bite, and unforgettable characters will find themselves drawn into Mrs. Shim’s deadly yet surprisingly empathetic world.