Assassins Can’t Do It Alone by Shesh (Venkatraman Sheshashayee) is a thriller, and the 3rd in the series. Though I haven’t read the previous two, I didn’t feel lost, since the author summarises them in a crisp narration. The title itself makes it clear that this one is a team-building exercise. Ahem!
⚡ The Quick Take
The Vibe: Corporate ruthlessness dressed up as crime fiction, with a dash of dark humour.
Best For: Thriller readers who want their assassin to run his kills like a business.
Key Takeaway: Ishmael Dollah runs his assassinations the way he ran his boardroom, methodical, efficient, and just as willing to manipulate the people around him to get what he wants. It makes for a fast, entertaining read, but the book never quite convinces me why a retired CEO became a killer in the first place.
Wordsopedia Verdict: 4/5
What Is “Assassins Can’t Do It Alone” About?
The Soon family, Madam Soon and her son Boon Tay, stand accused of abusing and murdering their domestic worker, Fatimavati. Inspector Julia, has misgivings about the courts delivering justice to the maid’s family. So she brings the case to Ishmael herself, even while suspecting him of his earlier killings.
Ishmael Dollah, a sixty-year-old ex-CEO, is now an assassin, but mind you, he is no ordinary killer. He only kills those who deserve it, and his approach is business-like. After all, he is a businessman. This time, though, even he runs into the limits of a one-man operation. He needs intel, he needs cover, he needs a team.
Story Arc
The plot moves on two tracks: the case itself, and the forming of the team around it. Dollah researches well, right from the method to scoping the building, to procuring items. He is methodical about every step. By the end, the Soon family’s case is closed, but a new thread opens up. I really liked the ending, and I’m curious to see what Mr. Soon is up to.
The Characters
Dollah is calculative, and plans every step, though sometimes comes off as an “all-knowing” guy. I liked his confidence but his overconfidence was off-putting. Did I like him? Well, that’s debatable. But did I find him interesting? Hell yeah!
What I am not convinced about is the reason. Why a retired CEO decides to become an assassin at all? That’s not a small leap, and it’s not one most people would make. From the summary I understand what sets him off is a rumour, that his daughter-in-law might be having an affair. That felt frivolous as a reason to start killing people.
Dollah goes from a one-man operation to building a team in this book, but not because the team comes round to the idea on their own. He’s just as calculating in getting people to join him as he is in everything else.
Julia Binti Shafiq is the inspector investigating Fatimavati’s case, and the one who brings it to Ishmael in the first place, even while suspecting him herself. Her stand on getting justice for Fatimavati is fair, but it’s conflicting that she has no hope from the legal system, and has to work with someone she suspects to be an assassin. Ishmael manipulates her into thinking this is what she wants, and that conflict never really gets resolved. She finishes the job, and goes along with it.
Joseph is a private investigator, and the one I liked most. His dedication to his work, his loyalty and his respect for Dollah got my heart. Like Julia, he’s hesitant at first, and Ishmael talks him round too.
Nysa, Dollah’s wife, is strong-minded and independent, and one of the most interesting characters in this book.
Mr. Soon is barely in this book, but the one I’m most curious about. Whatever he’s planning, I want the next book to tell me.
Siti, the Dollah household’s own helper’s presence lends a touch of sensitivity to all the killing around. I don’t know if she featured in the earlier books, but the way the Dollah family treats her, as one of their own, is such a stark contrast to Fatimavati’s life. Sad, but that’s how it sometimes goes.
Setting
Set in Singapore, the author takes us on a trip across this little island. Having spent a reasonable time of my life there and being familiar with the kiasu Singaporeans, I enjoyed the book all the more: traversing the bus, the HDBs, the condos. And now I want a kaya toast!
Resolution
The Soon family’s case is dealt with, Ishmael’s kind of resolution. There’s no lingering moral reckoning for Julia on the page, she and Joseph see it through and move on. What the book leaves open instead is Mr. Soon, and that makes me want to pick up the next book.
Pacing
The pacing is super fast, and I finished the book in one go.
❖ The Highlights
➤ The Setting: Singapore, HDBs, condos, buses and all.
➤ The Pacing: Finished it in one sitting.
➤ The Research: Dollah’s (or the author’s) methodical planning, from method to scoping to procurement.
➤ The Ending: Leaves me genuinely curious about Mr. Soon.
❖ The Hiccups
➤ Dollah’s own dialogue and behaviour aren’t always suitable to the character.
Pick up Assassins Can’t Do It Alone for a thrilling fast-paced ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to read the first two books first? No. The author summarises them in a crisp narration, so you won’t feel lost.
- Where is the book set? Singapore.
- What are the primary themes explored? Team-building, trust, loyalty, betrayal, and running an assassination the way you’d run a business.
I received an ARC from the author’s team. This review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.