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

“My Sister, The Serial Killer” by Oyinkan Braithwaite (2018)

Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Page Length: 226 pages (hardcover edition)

Synopsis:

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...(description from Goodreads)

Review:

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a short novel such as this (the novel read like a novella) and this thriller was engrossing from beginning to end. The story follows Korede, who is dealing with the fact her sister is a serial killer. She has suspicions early on, but after further documentation of the untimely deaths of Ayoola’s exes she knows that that it’s true.

Korede is at a crossroads, she loves her sister immensely as they have a tight bond, but she feels conflicted because she knows she should report her sister’s crimes. Korede has a love-hate relationship with Ayoola. She is always cleaning up after her “messes” and her sister is a attention stealer. Ayoola has taken everything away from Korede, forcing her into the shadows, and is expected to take care of Ayoola as the older sister. Throughout the story it felt like Korede wanted to out her sister for her crimes to one-up her sister, rather than to save her sister’s suitors from unsuspecting danger.

Reading this book through Korede’s was interesting, but at times I felt frustrated with her when she has so many opportunities to tell the truth. While Korede feel like she is clean of her sister’s crimes she is also accomplice to them. Her sister is beautiful, but is also manipulative and while she never outright says it, she makes Korede help her by insinuating that they will go down together. As the book gets closer to the ending the story really pulls the reader in with several events and the fact family members of her exes and the police become hot on their trail.

I won’t say anything more as to not spoil the book, but I did enjoy even though I was at time frustrated with Korede’s character. It’s equal parts crime mixed with a psychological thriller. Though the book is short, it packs a powerful punch.

Final Verdict: