Review | My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Korede and Ayoola are sisters who couldn’t be more different than each other. Korede is a nurse; serious, responsible, careful. Ayoola is a model; glamorous, vivacious, reckless. Ayoola is also a serial killer. She kills her boyfriends – she says in self-defence – and Korede cleans up her mess. Though Korede is plagued by guilt for her part in her sister’s mess, Ayoola has no remorse. But when Ayoola sets her target on a doctor who Korede’s in love with, she forces Korede to re-evaluate her life and the decisions she has to make.

You’re a big sister now, Korede. And big sisters look after little sisters.

What a book! Satirical, sharp and witty, I devoured this in one sitting. The relationship between the sisters is portrayed in a way that made me want to know more and at the same time turn away. Full disclosure: I have a younger sister who is the extrovert to my introvert so there are moments in this book where I could totally relate to Korede. And that feeling of protectiveness, of wanting to stick with family no matter what, all of that comes across clearly in the story. Like Korede, I know what she’s doing is wrong in covering up her sister’s crimes but the possibility of going to the police feels like a betrayal.

Watching Ayoola move onto the man of Korede’s dreams brings up all kinds of feelings for the older sister and I thought the writing captures her feelings beautifully. There is jealousy, frustration, anger, and still, after all that, love for her sister. The book also touches on abuse, dysfunctional families and how women are expected to fit into boxes created by society. Though I’m not a fan of pop culture in books (it makes the story feel dated) I thought the use of social media here is super relevant for the characters.

My Sister, The Serial Killer is a story about sisterhood and how far one would go to protect their blood. It’s simultaneously unnerving and emotionally resonant.

About the author: Oyinkan Braithwaite

Photo by Christopher Ruel