Ishmael Dollah is back and business is booming
Ishmael Dollah, having successfully dispatched the threat to his family, is ready to settle down and finally enjoy retired life. But that is not to be in the cards, as his beloved daughter in law’s promotion prospects appear to be threatened by the very person who began the rumor of her infidelity. Since James Hong is fast establishing himself as a person who is not happy unless he is causing trouble, Ishmael feels that he really has only one choice in the matter to protect his daughter in law’s reputation and promotion opportunity. Around the same time a dear friend of his also brings concerns about a toxic coworker who has sights on ruining his career. Setting a detailed plan in place for both “assignments”, Ish begins to procure the necessary items, personas, and alibis to solve the newest challenges. But for all his careful planning and covering of his tracks, he has not completely avoided scrutiny. While Ish diligently prepares and plans, Inspector Julia Binti Shafiq is closing in. Juggling a case of a tortured domestic worker alongside her research into Closier’s murder she slowly circles in on Ishmael. She does not understand how Ish fits into the bigger picture, but she knows he does. Binti Shafiq is torn between doing her duties to put a potential murder behind bars or leverage his certain set of skills to punish the family who got off scot-free.
Assassins Are Our Greatest Assets, the follow up to Sixty Is The New Assassin, picks up mere days after the close of the prior installment. With Greg Closier’s body barely cold, a new threat poses itself in the form of James Hong. Hong is a name that is not foreign to Ish, as he was also the originator of the rumors that targeted Closier initially. Ish launches a plan to catfish the young loudmouth playboy to lure him into his demise. The execution of the plot is nothing short of laughing out loud funny as the older gentleman attempts to portray himself as a shallow twenty something to get the smarmy office worker’s attention.
Dollah’s second assignment practically falls in his lap through a casual conversation with an old colleague which leads to the revelation that terminating employees may require a more literal and permanent solution. As Ishmael navigates these new challenges, he realizes that this undertaking cannot remain a one person operation for long. But forming a team for the execution of future assignments is as risky as it is illegal.
Add Inspector Binti Shafiq and her partner’s continued efforts to crack the case while dealing with the heartbreak of another senseless death and there is no shortage of action or drama. The inspector’s interludes were welcome breaks in Ishmael’s story and provided insight into Julia’s psyche. Through these scenes the reader learns that the Inspector’s sense of justice may extend to methods outside of the customary legal processes. Her character development in this installment reminded me very much of the Agent Smecker character from the Boondock Saints movie. Both characters crave justice yet feel ineffective against those criminals that for what reason or the next slip through the cracks.
After reading Assassins Are Our Greatest Assets it is clear the devil does indeed make work for idle hands. Ish seems to be taking to the assassin moniker like a fish to water and while he is being super careful, he has still managed to gain the attention of what could be an unlikely ally in his quest. The next book, currently titled “There is an I in Assassin” is sure to deliver as Ish begins to form his elite team and moves toward a more organized operation.
I for one still have a few unanswered questions, namely, does Nysa know more than she lets on, or does she trust Ish to the point of blind faith? After thirty years of marriage, I am inclined to think that what we know of Nysa thus far is just the tip of a larger and more complex character. I am looking forward to these as well as many other questions being answered in the upcoming books.
While this is the second in what is slated to be a series of approximately 5 books, Assassins Are Our Greatest Assets can be read independently without missing out on too much of the backstory. Of course, I recommend starting from the beginning to get the entire picture but if you are short on time or have just stumbled across this title first, it is still a good standalone story and will pique your interests to read the rest of the books.
Shesh once again has delivered a unique story with a loveable, morally questionable main character. For those who like their protagonists not quite good and not quite bad, The CEO Assassin series is a great read.
Full disclosure: I was provided a copy of this title by the author or their authorized agent, however, have voluntarily provided a review. All opinions are my own.
Read my previous review of Sixty is the new Assassin here
Jennly Reads 