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 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.