While beautifully crafted and engaging, this novel was a lot more slow-paced than I had originally anticipated. I loved how the book was broken down into section by job, but also found myself comparing the strengths and weaknesses of each section to each other. My favorite section was “The Bus Advertising Job,” followed by “The East Job in the Hut in the Big Forest.” I loved how both of these sections kept up an air of eeriness throughout, it reminded me of an adult version of Goosebumps, where you know something is not quite right but can’t put your finger on it. 

Although “The Postering Job” was sufficiently surreal and eerie, I wish the story had come to a more dramatic conclusion. Right as I was getting invested in the main character and her boss’ investigation, the tale came to an abrupt end. I suppose the omission of more details allows the imagination to fill in the gaps, but I was left wanting more. 

Similarly, “The Surveillance Job” was interesting, but I wish the author had leaned more into the ghostly, creepy vibe. The job was certainly bizarre, but lacked a more robust progression that could’ve really unsettled me. “The Cracker Packet Job” seemed out of place - there was only a hint of unusual activity towards the end when the real-life Mrs. Fujiko materializes, but overall it was a unique, if slightly peculiar, story about a strangely competitive workplace. 

I would have enjoyed if the author included more creepy, unsettling details in her storytelling throughout. For a novel that was lauded as “surreal and unsettling,” I was left feeling a bit disappointed.