Book Summary
“My Sister, the Serial Killer” is a darkly humorous, contemporary thriller set in Lagos, Nigeria. The novel centres around two sisters, Korede and Ayoola, who share a disturbing secret: Ayoola kills her boyfriends, and Korede helps her clean up. Ayoola, beautiful and charismatic, has a nasty habit of ending up with dead boyfriends, three to be precise, and her plain, responsible older sister Korede is always there to help dispose of the bodies and clean up the mess. It’s a twisted bond of sisterhood, laced with practicality and fear rather than love or respect. The narrative tension ratchets up when Ayoola sets her sights on Tade, a handsome and kind-hearted doctor at the hospital where Korede works as a nurse. Tade is also the man Korede has been secretly in love with, creating a complex love triangle that tests Korede’s loyalties to their breaking point. “My Sister, the Serial Killer” is an engrossing tale that keeps readers on their toes, blending elements of horror, suspense, and black comedy. Despite its chilling premise, the novel delves into the complex dynamics of sisterhood, moral ambiguity, and the lengths we will go to protect those we love.
Author Intro
Oyinkan Braithwaite
Oyinkan Braithwaite is a Nigerian-British author known for her refreshing take on the thriller genre. Her debut novel, “My Sister, the Serial Killer,” has garnered critical acclaim and won the Crime Novel of the Year at the British Book Awards. Braithwaite’s work often examines contemporary themes through the lens of her unique cultural perspective.
Book Reviews
Oyinkan Braithwaite’s debut novel, “My Sister, the Serial Killer,” is a scintillating blend of suspense and dark humour that keeps readers captivated from start to finish. The narrative is perfectly paced, allowing the tension to build while revealing the depth of the characters and their twisted relationships. Braithwaite masterfully infuses the narrative with the vibrant energy of Lagos, adding another layer to this unforgettable tale. She presents a fresh take on the thriller genre, infusing it with an exploration of family ties and moral dilemmas that make the story both horrifying and surprisingly relatable.
In “My Sister, the Serial Killer,” Oyinkan Braithwaite employs a minimalist narrative style to dissect complex themes of sisterhood, loyalty, and moral ambiguity. Braithwaite does not merely tell a tale of a sociopath and her enabler, but delves deeper, forcing readers to confront their own capacity for moral compromise. Despite the chilling plot, Braithwaite’s underlying exploration of the sacrifices we make for family adds a poignant dimension to the novel. The characters are nuanced, their motivations are complex, and the Lagos setting provides a vibrant backdrop to this riveting story.
While “My Sister, the Serial Killer” offers an intriguing premise and a darkly humorous narrative, it lacks depth in character development. Korede and Ayoola’s characters, while initially captivating, do not evolve significantly throughout the story. The book shines in its exploration of moral ambiguity and the bonds of sisterhood, but falters in its attempt to balance horror with black comedy. Despite its unique plot, the novel’s lack of suspense and underdeveloped secondary characters make it an engaging, yet unsatisfying read.
“My Sister, the Serial Killer” is a novel that promises much but delivers little. While the premise of a serial killer and her unwitting accomplice sister is intriguing, the story lacks depth and the characters feel underdeveloped. Korede’s character, in particular, feels hollow, her motivations unclear and her actions often inexplicable. The narrative is paced erratically, with some sections moving at a snail’s pace and others rushing by with breakneck speed. The novel’s attempts at humour often fall flat, feeling out of place in a story about murder and moral compromise. Despite its potential, “My Sister, the Serial Killer” ultimately fails to deliver a compelling narrative.
