My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite is a darkly comedic novel that was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and Longlisted for the Booker Prize in 2019.
It follows Korede, a no-nonsense nurse who finds herself cleaning up after her beautiful, charming younger sister Ayoola’s increasingly suspicious murders.
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Book Blurb
Korede’s sister Ayoola is many things: the favourite child, the beautiful one, possibly sociopathic. And now Ayoola’s third boyfriend in a row is dead, stabbed through the heart with Ayoola’s knife.
Korede’s practicality is the sisters’ saving grace. She knows the best solutions for cleaning blood (bleach, bleach, and more bleach), the best way to move a body (wrap it in sheets like a mummy), and she keeps Ayoola from posting pictures to Instagram when she should be mourning her “missing” boyfriend. Not that she gets any credit.
Korede has long been in love with a kind, handsome doctor at the hospital where she works. She dreams of the day when he will realise that she’s exactly what he needs. But when he asks Korede for Ayoola’s phone number, she must reckon with what her sister has become and how far she’s willing to go to protect her.
My Sister, the Serial Killer Review
I really enjoyed My Sister, the Serial Killer and can see why it received so many accolades. It’s a quick, punchy read that blends thriller elements with biting satire, making it feel truly unique.
The dark humour in this book reminded me a lot of How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie. Both books have that same blend of wit and edge, balancing grim topics with a surprising lightness.
What I loved about My Sister, the Serial Killer is how it flips the typical crime novel on its head. The murders aren’t the main focus. Instead, it’s the complex, strained relationship between the two sisters that takes centre stage.
Braithwaite’s writing is witty and concise, with short chapters that had me flying through the book. The novel is full of dark humour, and despite the grim premise, it never feels too heavy.
Korede’s internal struggles including her sense of duty to protect Ayoola and her growing moral unease, are really well done. Ayoola, on the other hand, is a fascinating character. She’s equal parts captivating and dangerous, and the contrast between her and Korede is one of the book’s strongest elements.
Overall, I would highly recommend My Sister, the Serial Killer. Oyinkan Braithwaite brilliantly blends satire, thriller, and family drama into a fresh, engaging read with a unique premise.