The Plotters

Translated from the original Korean, this episodic novel is set in the dark underbelly of Seoul, where assassins and the titular plotters ply their deadly trade. Our protagonist is Reseng, an assassin raised in the Doghouse, an old library maintained by Old Racoon, a mainstay of the assassination trade since before democracy came to Korea. But times are changing and a new breed of assassin, headed by the businesslike Hanja, threatens to sweep away Old Racoon and the old ways.

Populated by a cast of oddball characters (Bear, the animal crematorium owner who has a sideline in disposing of the victims of assassination; Mito, the shop assistant who secretly wants to bring down the whole house of cards; the man who wants nothing more than to be utterly forgettable) this is a slow burn noir thriller punctuated by bursts of bloody violence.

The main problem with this story is that you never feel emotionally involved. Yes there are moments of pathos and black humour, but you are more the observer of events, than ever feeling truly involved. It's not badly written, the characters are quirky, unique, but it doesn't leave you with anything once finished. Maybe turned into a K-drama or movie it might work better.

So a good, enjoyable read, but nothing out of the ordinary.