Not entirely a crime mystery like it seems from the title but was more into a slice-of-life and survival theme that was told in multi-POVs premise following Mrs Shim; a widow and mother of two who just lost her job at a butcher shop and had to opt in accepting the offer from Smile Detective Agency after she answered their vague job ad. She initially thought that it would be a cleaning job at the agency, only to realize it was similar to her previous work as a butcher which led her to become the agency’s top contract killer soon after.

I liked how the story unfolds the backstories from each of the characters giving glimpses to how and why it all started till their lives crossed path with the agency and Mrs Shim— bit quirky with mostly morally gray characters in their reality-hit tales that observed on one’s hardships, lifestyle, morality and the unsettling expectations or choices one need to make for the sake to survive.

Though I did not fond much on losing the narrative of Mrs Shim and only be getting a peek to her dynamic in between the other perspectives before I could get to her chapter again, the exploration and progress were not really underwhelming much for me— loved its familial observations as well how the characters connection go thrillingly twisty esp on the later part where the mess of incidents dragged the scene into a tense confrontation.

It was fairly enjoyable thoughout and surprisingly bit cozy on the tone for me; mundane at times but still engrossingly told for its blend of light crime, social commentary and personal stories arc. Loved the ending a lot.

**thank you Times Reads for the gifted review copy!