My Sister, the Serial Killer Book Review

Oyinkan Braithwaite’s debut novel ‘My Sister, the Serial Killer’ was published on 20^th November 2018 by Doubleday Books and was described as a “darkly comedic story, buzzed-about in publishing circles” by Deadline; having been further praised by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Marie Claire, and also the authors Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ and Edgar Cantero, it comes to no surprise that the debut novel was considered for a movie adaptation by the producers of ‘Baby Driver’.

In addition to the praises, ‘My Sister, the Serial Killer’ has won the 2019 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Mystery/Thriller, the 2019 Amazon Publishing Reader’s Award for Best Debut Novel, the 2019 Anthony Award for Best First Novel, and the 2020 British Book Award for Crime & Thriller Book of the Year. It was longlisted for the 2019 Booker Prize and, according to the Nielsen BookScan, was recorded as the second-highest bestselling title on the list on July 2019.

The novel’s story itself has a very interesting take on the psychological side of the relationship between two sisters, who both live in Lagos of Nigeria; one of whom is called Korede, a nurse, and the other is called Ayoola. Their close relationship is not the only running theme of the book, since Korede feels unappreciated for all that she does for her sister Ayoola, who is the “more beautiful favoured sister, and possibly sociopathic”; in fact, if it were not for the alleged self-defence, Ayoola may have officially been labelled as a serial killer, but with the help of Korede, they are able to clean up and continue as they were.

The plot begins to move towards having to choose between Ayoola, Korede’s sister, or a handsome doctor named Tade, whom Korede falls in love with. The first half of the book may seem slow at first, though once it picks up pace, the flow is very satisfactory and thought-provoking in terms of having to choose between what you should do and what you want to do, between responsibilities and desire, and between sister or lover.

It is amazing how ‘My Sister, the Serial Killer’ managed to pull readers in to feel various emotions throughout the book, specifically when there is so much darkness yet comedy and sarcasm between the characters, while at the same time, we are following the development of the dysfunctional relationship of the two sisters.

This novel deserves all the praises and the awards, because it was truly an amazing and remarkable read with smart character building, as well as the question this book poses, which is the boundaries we hold amongst our families and social media.

‘My Sister, the Serial Killer’ is available to purchase from Amazon HERE, and if you would like to know more about it, check out the blurb down below!

Blurb:

When Korede’s dinner is interrupted one night by a distress call from her sister, Ayoola, she knows what’s expected of her: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel and a strong stomach. This’ll be the third boyfriend Ayoola’s dispatched in, quote, self-defence and the third mess that her lethal little sibling has left Korede to clear away. She should probably go to the police for the good of the menfolk of Nigeria, but she loves her sister and, as they say, family always comes first. Until, that is, Ayoola starts dating the doctor where Korede works as a nurse. Korede’s long been in love with him, and isn’t prepared to see him wind up with a knife in his back: but to save one would mean sacrificing the other…