Short Story Sunday: Treasure by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Treasure
Series: Hush Collection
Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
Author: Oyinkan Braithwaite
Published: July 30, 2020
Audiobook: 40 minute read/ 31 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: October 7, 2021
Jessica’s Rating: 3 stars
Short Story Description:
Treasure is a wannabe Instagram influencer in Lagos, Nigeria. She shows off a luxurious life in a gated community that her almost five thousand followers can only dream of. @Sho4Sure is determined to be part of it. The macho mechanic is Treasure’s number one fan, and double taps and blushing emojis are no longer enough. He needs to meet her in the flesh. If only Treasure were more prepared for destiny.
Jessica’s Review:
Taking place in Nigeria, Treasure dreams to become an Instagram sensation and in some ways, she already has… and not in a good way… This is another story about the dangers of social media and putting yourself out there whether it is the truth or not. Our society has become narcissistic in ways and we are all ‘walking zombies’ constantly connected to our phones; some people can’t stand to be away from their phones at all. Smart phones have dumbed down us as a species. This is a well written story, that shows one to be aware and think about what you post on social media before you actually do it.
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