A review by readingtomydogs
The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Old Woman with the Knife follows Hornclaw, a senior citizen assassin, coming to terms with her aging. The story takes place in the present-day and also flashes back to Hornclaw came to be in this odd business of being a "disease control specialist." The writing felt like a sarcastic noir novel, providing an inner monologue of Hornclaw as she encounters other assassins and tries to relate to everyday people. This was different than my usual reads, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it while listening along on audio. If you are a fan of thrillers with an introspective side, The Old Woman with the Knife is for you!  


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