Book Review: My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

My Sister, the Serial Killer
Author: Oyinkan Braithwaite

Narrator: Adepero Oduye
Published: November 20, 2018
Audiobook

Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: October 13-17, 2020
Jessica’s Rating: 3 stars

Book Description:

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…

My Sister, the Serial Killer is a blackly comic novel about how blood is thicker – and more difficult to get out of the carpet – than water…

Jessica’s Review:

My Sister is a short audiobook, at just 4 hours long and it is also the debut novel from Oyinkan Braithwaite who is from Lagos, Nigeria where the novel takes place.    It takes place in our current time with all the contemporary things we have including references to Instagram.

The narrator Adepero Oduye is also from Nigeria and that accent definitely enhanced the listening of this novel and made it feel more real.   You also get a feeling of what living in Nigeria is like and it is a country I would not want to live in, especially being a woman.

The novel does focus on the killings, but this novel is really all about family dynamics, sisterly love no matter what one does, and loyalty. We have two sisters, Korede and Ayoola.  One is ‘drop dead’ gorgeous while the other isn’t.  One is responsible in her life and the other isn’t. And one kills her boyfriends and the other helps clean up afterwards.  It’s all about sisterly love, isn’t it????  And who is more guilty? The one who kills or the one who helps cover it up afterwards???

This is a short novel with even shorter chapters and makes for a very quick read. The ending will either be enjoyed or not, it will come in how you take the rest of the novel.  Me, I enjoyed the ending. 

My Sister was not totally for me, I think it was because it ended up being a different type of novel than I thought it was going to be. I was ready for more violence and gore, but again, it is actually more of a story about sisters and family. 

Even though I rated it three stars My Sister, The Serial Killer is recommended. 

Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK