This was a fast-paced story that made for a quick read. I enjoyed the Nigerian cultural elements that were woven in, and the strong-yet-quirky bond of the sisters. Strong and quirky did not make for likeable characters, however, and I felt like this book really lacked any decent characters at all.

Thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this one early.

Told mostly in fragments and compulsively readable, this book instigates a strong sense of foreboding right from the start. It was everything I had expected but not gotten out of a much-hyped summer thriller, Something in the Water (by Catherine Steadman), and the writing is similar to and on par with Stay with Me (by Aboyami Adebayo) .
Couldn't put it down.

Korede is too often cleaning up her sister Ayoola’s messes, and for the 3rd time that mess is a dead suitor. Dark and cheeky, this short family drama is brutally honest in the complications of sisters and how the corruption of Nigerian policing usually allows beautiful Ayoola to slip through the cracks, until now.

this was a fast read that i enjoyed. i didn't really feel the "satire/darkly funny" vibe mentioned in the summary. not really a negative; it just didn't read that way to me. some of the ayoola & social media stuff was funny but mostly i just felt sad for korede. ayoola is a bratty sociopath, and korede is so downtrodden by her family and pretty much everyone that i sympathized with her. even when she was enabling her shitty sister and literally getting rid of bodies.

and i can always appreciate a not-really-happy ending.

This dark yet hilarious debut novel follows nurse Korede as she serves as a reluctant clean up crew for her sister's unfortunate habit of killing her boyfriends. Fans of Dexter will find much to enjoy here. At parts it's laugh out loud funny and other sections will make you just want to cry.

There is a nice meditation on the meaning of family and the nature of those ties that bind that underpins this dark comedy. The action takes place in Lagos, Nigeria so for me this was also a glimpse into an unfamiliar culture so that was very interesting too.

I was able to read an advanced copy through NetGalley and the book will be released in November.

Korede, the narrator, is a presumably ordinary person, although she never describes her own appearance. She has a stunningly beautiful younger sister, Ayoola, who seems to have the ability to wrap people around her little finger. "Ayoola looks like a Bratz doll and I resemble a voodoo figurine."

As the story opens, Korede, a nurse, is thoroughly cleaning up the blood and bleaching the bathroom where Ayoola has just stabbed her boyfriend to death. Korede helps hide the body, and as we later learn, this is not the first time. "Perhaps a normal person would be angry, but what I feel now is a pressing need to dispose of the body."

Korede is accustomed to having everyone succumb to her sister's charms. Her mother always takes Ayoola's side, and if Ayoola does wrong, Korede is blamed for it. Men fall all over themselves to get Ayoola's attention. At the hospital where she works, Korede has developed feelings for one of the doctors, but once he meets her sister, he is a goner--maybe literally.

This is a tense psychological drama about the relationship between sisters and how far one will go to protect the other, deserving or not. It covers similar ground to The Bad Seed and Justine Larbalestier's My Sister Rosa. It's a really quick read, which actually could have thrown in a few more details and been a little longer. However, the author is gifted at communicating a lot of description and character in a few well-chosen words. As a literary voice from Nigeria, it's interesting to Americans to see these universal themes coming from a different culture. I found Braithwaite's prose to be delightfully crafted, and actually stopped and admired her sentence construction in places.

It's a fun, quick read, and I will look for more from this author in future.

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite is a thrilling suspense novel set in modern Nigeria and focuses on events surrounding Korede and her younger sister, Ayoola. Korede is a nurse with unrequited feelings for a young doctor at the hospital where she works. The drama begins when Korede’s younger and more physically attractive sister, Ayoola, catches Dr. Otomu’s eye and Korede is forced to choose between family and her chance to win the heart of the man she loves.

One of my favorite things about this novel was how quickly I was drawn into it. Braithwaite wastes no time setting up the inciting event - from page one, we are right there with Korede as she struggles to separate herself from her sister’s destructive habits. The story is further complicated by fragments of memories from Korede and Ayoola’s shared past, which adds emotional complexity to actions which would otherwise leave the reader scratching his or her head. While Ayoola is not a particularly sympathetic character, Korede is someone with whom the reader can relate. Whether it is because of her dedication to her job, her frustration with her immature sister, or her embarrassment at her mother’s meddling in their romantic lives, these are relatable traits. Korede gives us a brief glimpse of what any of us might become, if we had a sibling like Ayoola.

I have very little to criticize about this novel. It flows beautifully from beginning to end. Short chapters, rather than making me feel like I could take a break at any point, instead led me to read the entire novel in one sitting. I will happily recommend My Sister, the Serial Killer to any fans of the thriller or suspense genre, but particularly those with a love for convoluted family dramas.

I’m surprised by all the 5 star reviews on this. This is novella length and I really think the short length is harmful here to the author. Instead of banging out a short book, why not take more time to build something into the characters.? They feel sterile and one dimensional. I had zero emotional attachment to them.

Okay, this was a fun little read. It’s easy to speed through it, and considering the length, I think Braithwaite did an amazing job covering so many subjects with depth—sexism, abuse, corruption, and sisters who routinely murder their boyfriends but ya gotta support them no matter what, ‘cause family comes first. So relatable!

The plot was fast moving and engaging, even if it was predictable. I wish the story were longer, because while I thought most of the characters (even minor ones!) were fairly realized, I would’ve liked the story over all to be more fleshed out. Maybe some more descriptions of Lagos, or maybe some POV chapters from Ayoola? Just a little bit more for the reader to chew on.

Speaking of Ayoola, she was great in that villain role where you just hate her because she’s bad, but I wish she had been a bit more morally gray. Her motivations don’t totally make sense—I think the unspoken argument is that she’s a sociopath? So maybe that could have been explored. I liked that Korede wasn’t the angel to Ayoola’s devil, because they definitely share some of the same unnerving traits. In fact, Korede was even more frustrating than Ayoola at times. I’ll admit that I don’t quite understand Korede’s utmost commitment to protecting Ayoola at any cost—there is a moment in the story where Korede reflects upon how, as the older sister, she is responsible for any wrong that Ayoola commits. Is that a typical Nigerian sentiment or is that Korede being Korede?

The ending was a tad unsatisfying, and I don’t feel any closure at all. I’ll read whatever Braithwaite puts out next, though, because I think she’s off to a pretty interesting start here.

If you liked Dexter…

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

###

My phone lights up and I glance at it. Ayoola. It is the third time she has called, but I am not in the mood to talk to her. Maybe she is reaching out because she has sent another man to his grave prematurely, or maybe she wants to know if I can buy eggs on the way home. Either way, I’m not picking up.

###

The first time her sister Ayoola killed a man, Korede was certain that it was in self-defense. The third time around, Korede has her doubts. But, when summoned to the scene of the crime, Korede dutifully helps Ayoola scour the blood from the carpet and dispose of the body – because that’s what big sisters do, right? Take care of their younger siblings…even if they just so happen to be knife-wielding sociopaths.

But when Ayoola sets her sights on Tade Otumu, a kind and handsome doctor at the hospital where Korede works as a nurse, Korede is forced to choose sides. Will she save the object of her unrequited love, or stick by Ayoola’s side? Things get even crazier when “the patient in room 313” – a comatose man to whom Korede thought it would be safe to spill her guts – unexpectedly wakes up. What does he remember of her bizarre confessions, if anything? And just what is the story behind Ayoola’s weapon of choice?

At first glance, MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER is a gender- and race-bent version of DEXTER, set in Lagos, Nigera, and told from sister Deb’s POV. AND I AM SO HERE FOR IT. MY SISTER has a similar dark and twisted sense of humor that’s simply delightful. Like, Korede ought to do stand-up on her nights off.

Yet while the murdery stuff does propel the plot forward, at its core MY SISTER is a story about family (but then, so too is Dexter). This is a story about how surviving trauma and coming up and out of a horrific situation can bond people together for life. Doubly so if they already share the bond of sisterhood. Heaven help the dudebro who tries to get between them.

If you liked DEXTER (and especially if you loathed the series finale!), or even if you’re just looking for something a little unconventional and weird, definitely give MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER a try. It’s got short, punchy chapters (I was not surprised to read that Braithwaite was shortlisted as a top-ten spoken-word artist in the Eko Poetry Slam; each chapter feels a bit like a self-contained poem or stream-of-consciousness) and a wickedly clever vibe. This might just go down as one of my favorites of 2018.

The book begins with Ayoola and Korede disposing a body and cleaning up the blood as if they have done this before. The book continues with the sister's relationship and how they got to his point. Korede is caught between doing the right thing or protecting her sister. The story takes place in Nigeria so it was interesting to learn about about their traditions and how the corrupt police inadvertantly helped Ayoola get away with her crimes.. "Femi makes three, you know. Three, and they label you a serial killer." "There's something wrong with her...but you. What's your excuse?"

Don't let the title fool you, this is so much more than a book about a serial killer. In fact, the deaths are secondary to the "acceptable" violence that the men in this book use so casually against the women and the ways in which women hurt each other for a scrap of respect or autonomy.

I enjoyed this a lot! I don't normally read a lot of mystery/thrillers but I saw this on Netgalley and something about the title/cover just grabbed me. It was short and fast-paced but still had a fully-developed relationship between the two sisters, and a really dark sense of humor to it. The details about life in Lagos were interesting to me and set it apart from a lot of other mystery/thriller type books.

My thanks to Doubleday Books, and Netgalley for this arc.
I really thought I'd love this book. It had some fantastic reviews on Goodreads. Turns out I hated it. I'm one of those people who have to have somebody to like and root for. I couldn't abide the sister's in this book. One bemoans her fate, and the other is a selfish, spoiled serial killer. One cleans up her sister's messes...ach! To hell with it. The book sucked. The writing was well done, and I'd read something else by this author. But, I need to like someone!

I haven't finished this book quite yet, but I've read enough to know that I will continue to enjoy the experience as I read it. Overall, I find the concept of the book an intriguing look at the bond between sisters and how this particular situation can warp that bond. I find the characters both compelling for their own reasons, though I (and, I believe, the reader) am led to favoring Korede. I'm invested in their story and eager to find out whether or not the women will face the consequences of their actions, or if they will remain under the radar. I had to put this book down as work has picked up a bit, but once things settle down I'm excited to return to it. I've linked my Goodreads review below, which I will continue to update as I progress through the book.

A seemingly simple story about two sisters, one who kills her boyfriends, and the other who helps her cover it up. The beauty of this story is that it seems like a quick, breezy read, but it conveys a deeper, more sinister message: what is worse, murder, or denial?

Korede is a nurse in Lagos. She is responsible, and hard working. Her sister Ayoola is beautiful and charming, and gets through life by taking what others give her. When she loses her temper she lashes out at the men in her life. There's a surprising amount of psychology to unpack here, and one of my frustrations with the book is that it isn't long enough to get into a lot of detail, although the hints the story offers are enough to send shivers down the spine. Korede and Ayoola grew up with a controlling father, and a weak mother. Korede puts an insane amount of pressure on herself to make sure that Ayoola is always safe. Ayoola manipulates not only her family, but every single person she comes in contact with. When she sets her sights on a doctor in Korede's hospital, Korede's resentment, and Ayoola's uncaring nature crash together in an unsettling way. As the story progresses the lines blurs between them, and I truly found myself wondering who was the crueler of the two, the one who kills when she feels threatened, or the one who lets her get away with doing so?

The best part of this book is that I discovered a new author, one whose future books I would be excited to read.

Entertaining, and so cynically funny--perverse in the best way, and totally originally--I was sorry it was over so fast, but so hoping there will e a second novel from this new voice!

Korede is bitter. How could she not be? Her sister, Ayoola, is many things: the favorite child, the beautiful one, possibly sociopathic. And now Ayoola's third boyfriend in a row is dead. Korede's practicality is the sisters' saving grace. She knows the best solutions for cleaning blood, the trunk of her car is big enough for a body, and she keeps Ayoola from posting pictures of her dinner to Instagram when she should be mourning her "missing" boyfriend. Not that she gets any credit.

A kind, handsome doctor at the hospital where Korede works, is the bright spot in her life. She dreams of the day when he will realize they're perfect for each other. But one day Ayoola shows up to the hospital uninvited and he takes notice. When he asks Korede for Ayoola's phone number, she must reckon with what her sister has become and what she will do about it.- Goodreads 

I was surprised at how fast I read through this book. I didn't realize it was a short novel until about half way though it. This wasn't an issue as this book was a strong read that packed a lot of punch within a short amount of time.

Would I call this a mystery or thriller? No. You know who done it. You see a huge turning point early in the book and you kind of have an idea of how it is going to end. There was nothing thrilling per say about this book but it was a good read.

Korede is relatable. As the less desirable sister, she lives in Ayoola's shadow and proves to be the more responsible, level-headed family member out the bunch. She doesn't have the confidence or love of herself to stand on her own and that is very clear from the 6th chapter of the book. Therefore, everything that comes afterwards has a line of predictably, except the ending. Kind of.

Two things happen and at those moments you regret that the book was so short. There is no saving Ayoola but Korede. . .  the author can add so much to her story and hope and wish she will.

But beyond this, fast read that is very descriptive and keeps you wanting more. Due to the short nature of this book, you jump right into the thick of things and although the author does go back and forth between the past and present, it isn't messy nor overly complicated. The transitions are perfect and the past makes sense with the present. Downtime feels nonexistent within this book; everything is building up to the climax. There is no fluff and I greatly appreciate that.

Overall, this didn't have me at the edge of my seat but I was heavily invested in the plot. I want more about Korede and I want more from this author.

3 Pickles

What a book. I read the whole thing in one sitting, and forgot to eat dinner because I was so engrossed. The characters aren’t exactly likable, but I couldn’t help wanting to see what they’d do next. Braithwaite’s writing is stilted in a way that made me uneasy, the tension radiating off the page. I recommend this highly, and can’t wait to see what Braithwaite publishes next!

This was better than I expected! My Sister, the Serial Killer, is just that - the story of Korede and her younger (serial killer) sister Ayoola. Korede has always come to her sisters defense, even when it means cleaning up a trail of dead bodies. This book is a little different, in the question isn't whether Ayoola is a serial killer, or whether she's going to get caught, or who she's going to kill next, rather it's the story of why her exasperated older sister continues to cover and clean up after her. The story is built around present tense events, flashbacks and little peaks into the family history. Captivating story that I could have read more of!

Despite the evocative title, this is less about a serial killer sister and more about resigning oneself to their lot in life. Korde lives in the shadow of her younger, beautiful, knife-wielding sister Ayoola. Most of the book is about Korde’s mental turmoil as she wonders how many more times her sister will kill with occasional flashbacks to life under her abusive father.

My main problem with this book is that it’s too short. Almost more novella than a proper novel. Because of that we just get a glancing look at the abusive childhood that surely shaped the sisters and we don’t get much of a look into Ayoola’s side of things. I loved the setting and really felt for Korde as she wrestled with morality, secret crushes, inept coworkers and her sociopathic sister.

Here’s hoping this is the first of more to come from Oyinkan Braithwaite.