Set in Lagos, Nigeria, this tells the story of two sisters - big sister Korede and her little sister Ayoola.

It has always been sensible, plain Korede's lot to take responsibility for Ayoola, after all she is the big sister and their upbringing was distressing. Korede always protected Ayoola from their violent father and she is now stuck in the role of protector, whether she likes it or not.

Ayoola is beautuful, carefree, impulsive and loved by all. She relies on Korede to get her out of the messes she gets herself into. The only problem is that Ayoola is also a serial killer...

This book was a lot of fun. The relationship between Korede and Ayoola is so frustrating to witness. Korede is unable to break out of the destructive cycle forced upon her by Ayoola's murderous impulses, even when Ayoola sets her sights on the man Korede loves. The cycle seems doomed to repeat for ever.

Highly recommended. This title has been shortlisted for the Women's for Fiction 2019 too.

Korede’s sister, Ayoola, is beautiful, charming, and has murdered her last three boyfriends. Korede is the only person who knows and has helped to clean up the blood and get rid of the bodies, but she’s had enough. When Ayoola starts dating a handsome doctor from the hospital where Korede works, she is finally forced to look at what her sister has become and do whatever she can to stop the list of dead boyfriends from growing.

This book is genius. It is filled with dark humour and is surprisingly plausible. The characters are distinctly flawed but also believable and I found myself sympathising with both sisters. Although the story focusses on the present and Ayoola’s relationship with Tade, enough information is given about their childhood to really allow the reader to understand their personalities.

There is some really excellent integration of African culture. I love it when accent and colloquialisms are used in a book, and they work very well in this one. To be honest, I didn’t actually understand a lot of them (my African language knowledge is limited at best) but this didn’t hinder my enjoyment at all.

I was a bit disappointed by the ending (which I won’t give away), but it did work with the story so I can’t complain too much. Overall, a brilliant debut and I would definitely read more from this author.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of My Sister, The Serial Killer from both NetGalley and Readers First in exchange for an honest review.

Just by coincidence I was listening to a recent episode of the Call Your Girlfriend podcast - Winter books 2019 - and Ann just happened to be recommending My Sister, The Serial Killer, saying she liked it because (and I'm paraphrasing slightly) 'it's about a complicated sisterly dynamic, a complicated relationship between two women... and the dead people are all men.' Which just made me laugh but also sums up the book really well.

Korede is a nurse living and working in Lagos. Her sister, Ayoola, is a fashion designer... and a serial killer. Because once you hit three murders that's what you become. And Korede is trying to keep her sister safe by cleaning up her messes and disposing of the bodies. Until Ayoola starts dating a doctor from Korede's work - a friend, a colleague, and a love interest of her own. Korede tries to warn him about her, but she just comes across as jealous. But when it comes down to it, can she choose between her sister and her victims?

I really did love the dynamic between Korede and Ayoola. It's obvious that there's been tension between them for a long time - sisterly competitions and little tiffs and grudges, but favouritism from parents, one 'beautiful', one 'smart' sister labels placed on them from a young age, it all adds up. But despite any resentment there might be between them, it's clear that there's also a lot of love as Korede drops everything to rush to Ayoola's aid when she says she's done it again. There's an instinct to protect her no matter what, but when she starts questioning this decision, it's really interesting to read how their relationship changes.

It also felt really realistic, in terms of the characters reactions to Ayoola, and Korede's behaviour - in that I felt myself getting frustrated and my skin was crawling at people's comments about her jealousy, and the manipulation and coercion that was going on, that just added to the emotion of the book and the atmosphere of the relationship.

An absolutely gorgeous book and I can't wait to read whatever Oyinkan Braithwaite writes next! 4 out of 5 stars.

Just how far would you go to protect your family? Nigerian nurse Korede has been addressing that conundrum for a while, wearily cleaning up messes her vain younger sister Ayoola makes. Messes that require rubber gloves, bleach, and a working knowledge of blood removal and body disposal. Debut novelist Oyinkan Braithwaite delivers a deliciously deadpan tale that’s as bold as its bald-faced title: MY SISTER THE SERIAL KILLER. Korede and Ayoola live different lives after growing up together in a Lagos household with plenty of fissures beneath its wealthy veneer. Ayoola sashays her way through the world, calling on her older sister for help when she’s ‘forced’ to kill yet-another beau; in self-defence, of course. Korede believed Ayoola the first time – she’d witnessed the violence - but doubts are now festering, and reach crisis point when Ayoola begins to date a doctor who Korede has long had a crush on. Can she keep turning a blind eye to her deadly sister? A superb tale that fizzes with a fierce energy, adroitly blending noir, black comedy, and family drama.

[Review written for the New Zealand Listener magazine, published 19 January 2019]

A very unique story, and definitely unlike anything I've read before! A captivating read from start to finish!

This deliciously clever and witty read set in Nigeria tells a darkly comic tale of how blood is thicker – and more difficult to get out of the carpet – than water. It’s hugely original and wonderfully entertaining, with fascinating characters that jump off the page and a pace that doesn’t let up.

I really enjoyed Oyinkan Braithwaite’s My Sister, the Serial Killer. The characters were well formed – believable and even meriting sympathy. One sister likes to kill, the other helps her not get caught – blood thicker than water and all that. The narrator, the non-killing sister, shares interesting observations about men, society, and what it means to protect your sister in an oppressive, abusive childhood home.

Very readable, very punchy, a well deserved 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book. Korede's sister Ayoola has killed for the third time. This now makes her a serial killer. I found myself not particularity liking either of these main characters,I seem to need someone to root for,someone who does the right thing and is likeable unfortunately neither Korede or Ayoola are either of those things. However,this didn't mean that I wasn't gripped by this story.I always wanted to know weather Korede was about to spill the beans and I also liked the flashbacks to glimpses of possibilities of why Ayoola was the way she was. One of my favourite lines was "It would be more appropriate to play Brymo or Lorde,something more solemn or yearning,rather than the musical equivalent of a packet of m&m's" With lines like this it brought some lightheartedness to an otherwise very serious book! Overall I really enjoyed it,I had hoped for a different ending as it did feel kind of rushed but it was a good read.

Lovely dark humour throughout this book and the protagonist was likeable. While there was the odd lull here and there throughout the story, there was more than enough going on to keep me interested.

With thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

Summary

My Sister, The Serial Killer is captivating, much like its titular character. Ayoola is beautiful, so much so, she has no trouble finding romance. Yet every man she dates winds up dead, by her hand. Korede, her sister, cleans up afterwards – she scrubs the floors clean, removes any evidence and hides the body. She loves her sister and would do anything to protect her, yet inside there is a resentment of Ayoola’s carefree attitude, lack of remorse and her status as the family ‘favourite’. When Ayoola sets her sights on a doctor at the hospital Korede works at, one who Korede harbours feelings for, Korede must make a choice. One life for the other.

Plot

This is very much a slow-burning book, with the murders being treated almost as a matter of course by the narrator. We see a lot of the story told as part of the present day, but also through flashbacks, with short, quick chapters transporting you to each time and place with ease. The story itself is short, but there is a lot hidden between the pages. It covers a lot of themes, yet all are subtle, and we learn a lot about the sisters’ relationship and their family dynamic. The build up to the main climax of the book is cleverly done so you never quite knew what Korede would do, despite it being told from her perspective.

Characters

The cast of this book is quite small, with only a few characters which we get to see a lot of. Ayoola is the focal point of the book, being the eponymous serial killer but with an almost care-free attitude. Her sister, the book’s narrator Korede is almost the complete opposite – careful, quiet and hyper-aware of all her sister does. Their dynamic is fascinating and the heart of the book. I found the whole family aspect of this book to be interesting, particularly with the overbearing presence of the father who was absent the entire novel. I did find it difficult to care as much about the side characters but, as this book is about the two sisters, it did not impact the story too much.

Final Thoughts

My Sister, The Serial Killer offers a story far departed from the typical thriller and murder books out there. It is beautifully crafted, interweaving the sister’s story with dark humour, feminist undercurrents and some integration of Nigerian culture. Instead of the gritty thrillers, it is a gentler tale of sisterhood and loyalty but with its own tension and dark turns. There is a lot that can be taken out of this book, and I would highly recommend.

I really enjoyed this book and it has left more of an impression than a relatively brief, vaguely satirical novella has any business doing. On the surface it is a fairly easy read - quick, accessible, darkly humorous and undemandingly entertaining. But after the initial satisfying consumption I began to find it more disturbing than I first realised. Which is, of course, testament to the subtle skill of the author. The boyfriend murdering sister is perfectly drawn as the gloriously selfish, self-absorbed pretty girl who's life seems effortless and charmed. Yet for me it is Korede who is the more intriguing character, long suffering and conscience stricken, cleaning up her sister's messes with ruthless efficiency. So a story of sisterly devotion and loyalty then. Yes, but there is more to it than that. So much of the story seems to be in what's NOT said. And I loved how it suggested so many interesting questions to me - was Ayoola evil or damaged? Was Korede "just as bad" (as suggested by Tade) for covering up? Were her reasons for doing so entirely altruistic? Was it all Korede's fault at the end of the day? Was the strength of the sisters' bond forged by the violence of the father? For such a brief book, I found it incredibly thought provoking and have mulled over the sisters, their shared experiences and their relationship a lot since finishing it. Such a great read.

As a mother of two girls. I totally understand how the bond between sisters is so tight that they will do anything to protect the other. A fabulous book, full of intrigue well written. Recommended.

This is the first satirical book I've read and I can't quite make up my mind whether I enjoyed it or not! I liked the premise and I finished it quickly

Korede’s sister has done it again. For the third time, she’s killed her boyfriend and called Korede to help clean up the mess. Korede knows that three kills means Ayoola is possibly a serial killer, but what can she do - it’s her little sister. Then Ayoola begins to date Tade, a good-looking doctor in Korede’s hospital, and someone Korede herself is sweet for. How can she keep them safely away from each other?

This book was quite an amusing read, and Ayoola’s actions are definitely something that will make every reader throw their eyes up to the ceiling. She’s extremely full of herself, and seems oblivious to the damage she’s causing around her which is almost scary. This book is suppose to be a mix of satire and slasher and while there were bits of both, I think it lacked a big impact in either genre. I would have liked even more satire, or more slasher/horror. While I was amused at certain points, I didn’t find it as funny as i’ve found other satirical novels to be.

This book has had quite a lot of hype so it’s possible my expectations were too hight for it. It’s certainly a fine read - just not one that blew my mind.

I have got to admit I didn't finish this book. I just couldn't get into it. I wanted to like it. It sounded like a unique idea but it just didn't execute well and I thought it wasn't that well written.

Ayoola summons me with these words— Korede, I killed him. I had hoped I would never hear those words again.

My Sister The Serial Killer follows Korede, a nurse living and working in Nigeria, whose sister Ayoola has a complex relationship with her ex-boyfriends. You see, she keeps murdering them, and her claims of self defense are sounding weaker and weaker every time Korede gets called in to dispose of a body and clean up a murder scene. Ayoola is her little sister, and she loves her, and maybe one death could be an accident, two a very unfortunate accident, but three...that’s a pattern.

“Femi makes three, you know. Three, and they label you a serial killer.”

If Ayoola is a heartless serial killer, then Korede is her enabler without ever intending to be so. Incredibly tidy by nature, putting her skills to good use as she helps to maintain the hospital in which she works, Korede finds that her knack for getting blood out of sheets and grouting is useful in more than just an operating theatre. I learned more about how to properly clean up after a murder than I ever though I would know while reading this book. Additionally, by the time we see her in action, Korede is cleaning up her third blood-soaked room, so really it’s more routine for her than it is shocking as she wraps Femi’s body in sheets and carefully scours his bathroom for drops of blood. Ayoola, for her part, is adept at causing death but less knowledgeable about cleaning up afterwards. Or perhaps she never bothered to learn, after all her big sister promised to always take care of her no matter what. Surely dumping her ex’s body in a river isn’t too much to ask?

I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I realized that Ayoola was beautiful and I was . . . not. But what I do know is that I was aware of my own inadequacies long before.

The relationship between the two sisters is complex and incredibly confusing at times. We watch Korede lie for Ayoola, dispose of the evidence of her crimes and resent her from afar for how easily she gets away with everything in life. Ayoola is beautiful, charming, talented...nobody would ever believe her to be what she is. Korede knows she is not beautiful, has accepted this fact, so when Ayoola zeroes in on the man Korede loves from afar as her next potential victim - sorry, ‘boyfriend’ - she grows hopeless. After all, nobody would look her way once Ayoola had her manicured nails into them.

“Will they believe his story?”
“I don’t know . . . it’s his word against yours.”
“Against ours, Korede. It’s his word against ours.”


This was a slow-burning thrilling read that I absolutely devoured because I just had to know what was going to happen with Korede and Ayoola, the unfortunate Tade standing between them. My only issue as a reader was that Korede felt distant, her decisions illogical - but I get the impression that this was purposeful. Nobody who is one hundred percent with it would just help clean up a murder scene. A childhood of parental abuse, their father bartering Ayoola’s beauty to the highest bidder and Korede standing beside her always have resulted in a twisted, unhealthy codependency between the two of them. Braithwaite writes extremely well and I’ll definitely be looking out for more of her work in future!

She will always have me and I will always have her; no one else matters.

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 books

A Copy of My Sister the Serial Killer was provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

My sister, the serial killer starts with murder from the get-go as we follow Korede helping her sister clean up the mess and get rid of the body of the man that Ayoola has stabbed, claiming self-defence. I really enjoyed the journey of discovery the character is forced to take whilst she goes on about her daily life and trying to cope with the guilt of the present and the demons of the past.

I really liked Korede to begin with and her flashbacks offered more insight into the why’s and how’s of the present. However, towards the end I started feeling frustrated with her as she was not able to see Ayoola’s manipulations and the web of lies in which she was caught up without even realising. It was plain to see Ayoola’s character and her continuous refusal to accept the truth irked me. I disliked Ayoola from the start; beautiful, manipulative and selfish.

The plot flowed well and the writing was keeping me intrigued the whole time, continuing to flick the page to see what will happen next. The short chapters help with the quick pacing, although sometimes made it just tiny bit too jittery and disconnected. I thought it was really clever how we get to find out more about the girls via memories and enjoyed how this was interlaced with the present day story.

I initially thought I would give it at least 4 stars because I can appreciate the satyr of this novel and the expose on corruption, etc, however, the ending was a major disappointment for me. I was expecting the ending to be quite different and Korede’s character lost points with me as the conclusion of the story was nearing. I can see why this choice was made, however I would’ve liked some actual sacrificed to have been made at the end.

Thank You to Netgalley, Oyinkan Braithwaite and Atlantic Books for my copy of this book.

Just from the title of the book you know who who the killer is and although you know this I found the book oddly addictive. Its a strange book though as it concentrates on the relationship of the two sisters. I dont want to spoil it for anyone and say anything more about it as there are already many reviews about this book.

But what I will say is this I just had to continue reading until the end as I thought I knew what was going to unfold, I was wrong with what I thought might happen and I am a bit disappointed with the ending as it didn't match to the ending that I had built in my head.

I think Oyinkan Braithwaite did a good job with this book but I am unsure if I am a fan or not.

An unusual read but one I enjoyed. The things we do for family! Korede's sister puts her in some very difficult situations and her ability to deal with the impossible and unpalatable is as surprising as Ayoola's blasé attitude to her outrageous behaviour.

I mean, why would I not end the festive season by reading a book about a serial killer?

I remember when I first started watching Dexter, thinking 'there's no way this show is going to be a thing for me' and then binge watching like a pro; I think there's something inherently fascinating about the mind of somebody like him, or like Ayoola in this book - I find myself disturbed but nonetheless curious. Not that this book is disturbing - less so actually then Dexter was. It's just a really good read.





I mean it: this book though guys, this book. I absolutely tore through it, I couldn't put it down and if real life hadn't been a thing then I'm pretty sure I would have read it in a day. It's good.

It was published on January 3rd and it's the story of a Nigerian woman (the book is set in Lagos) whose sister keeps killing her boyfriends. Basically.

WHAT IS NOT TO LOVE - part satire, part thriller, darkly funny and at times incredibly poignant, I am so glad I started my year off with this book.

Femi makes three you know. Three and they label you a serial killer.

It is I suppose, at its heart, a story of familial obligation - of unconditional love; I was thinking whilst reading it - what would I do if my brother called me up in a panic because he'd killed his girlfriend?

Let's be honest here: my instinct would be to help him.

I mean I'd be the last person he should ring because I have no idea how to get rid of blood from carpet, I couldn't fit a body in the boot of my little car and I am incredibly prone to nervous laughter, but still - I think I'd feel obligated to help him in some way because he's my brother, and that's what this book is about. When Korede gets a tearful phonecall from her sister saying I killed him, what is she supposed to do?

It's about that, and also kind of about the way women are pitted against one another and how often people don't see beyond the surface - how much easier it is to get by if you're beautiful, how, as the book says, you so often get a free pass, and then also how we use social media; the use of Snapchat and Instagram is so interesting here, and very reflective of life - this book is a clever and relevant social commentary and I loved it.

Also it made me laugh. I like books that make me laugh and also make me think.

“You’re not the only one suffering, you know. You act like you are carrying this big thing all by yourself, but I worry too.” “Do you? ’Cause the other day, you were singing ‘I Believe I Can Fly.’ ” Ayoola shrugs. “It’s a good song.”

It's a short book, but it gets under your skin. I swear, I was so hooked and so intrigued and that's really funny because I actually I don't think I particularly liked anybody; whilst you kind of get a glimpse into why Ayoola might be a murdering sociopath, you still don't really like her (she's a bit of a dick) and whilst you kind of understand why Korede might have found herself drawn into this murderous web her sister is weaving (see above re familial obligation) you still kind of want to shake her a little bit because STAND UP FOR YOURSELF A LITTLE BIT KOREDE OH MY GOD and also stop being so whiny if you please. That's not to say they're not deliciously well-developed characters - they absolutely are - this book is stunningly written - they're just not likeable and honestly, I really loved that; I loved being so invested in this story about these people I wouldn't really want to be friends with (and I know, of course I wouldn't because serial killer, but that's not the point....)

This is such a strong debut, it's short, it packs a punch and the ending is just...it works. I am so impressed and honestly: 10/10 would read again.