“Pulpy, peppery and sinister, served up in a comic deadpan…This scorpion-tailed little thriller leaves a response, and a sting, you will remember.”–NEW YORK TIMES“The wittiest and most fun murder party you’ve ever been invited to.”–MARIE CLAIREWINNER OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE FOR MYSTERY/THRILLER SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 WOMEN’S PRIZEA short, darkly funny, hand grenade of a novel … PRIZE
A short, darkly funny, hand grenade of a novel about a Nigerian woman whose younger sister has a very inconvenient habit of killing her boyfriends
“Femi makes three, you know. Three and they label you a serial killer.”
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.
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 realize 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.
Sharp as nails and full of deadpan wit, Oyinkan Braithwaite’s deliciously deadly debut is as fun as it is frightening.
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I enjoyed this book. The premise is fresh and original and I could relate to the feelings of being an older sister and the obligation to protect a younger sibling. Without having to clean up a crime scene though. Good read.
I had no idea what to expect going into this book. What it reminds me of is – say – American Psycho, only not written by the protagonist, but by his best friend, or his brother, who has been trying to protect him … but has his own problems as well. Highly recommended, and a wonderful glimpse into another culture.
I love everything about this book, from the opening line to the open ending. Braithwaite’s writing is tight and realistic, the book is brisk and there’s never a dull moment. She also portrays a great relationship between the two sister, strained though it obviously is.
Who is more dangerous? A femme fatale murderess or the quiet, plain woman who cleans up her messes? I never knew what was going to happen, but found myself pulling for both sisters, as I relished the creepiness and humor of this modern noir.
This book is five stars mostly due to the great voice of the character, real, honest and raw. The structure is a kaleidoscope of scenes, flash-fiction for each chapter. Lean and economic. This stylistic format works very well but I’m not sure a regular length novel could take the constant breakneck speed without the reader getting fatigued and dropping out. The main character is endeared to the reader in many ways but the most important one is how she takes care of her sister and covers for her little indiscretions (three murders). I would love to read a second novel by this author and I will be first in line to buy the next one. But one of the main reasons this book works so well is the high concept, a sociopathic sister who kills her boyfriends and her big sister cleans up after her, (there are other twists but they’re spoilers) all set in Lagos. The scene setting adds great flavor to the story. One of my favorite books in noir books is, Out by Natsuo Kirino, (what a great read, highly recommend) My Sister The Serial Killer has hints of Out. I guess all great books remind readers of others they have read.
If you like your reads fast and emotional this one is for you.
David Putnam author of The Bruno Johnson series.
A smart, witty, fast read — or in the case of the excellent audiobook, a fast listen. It’s like nothing else on your TBR pile, guaranteed. Highly recommended for fans of dark minds, heart-wrenching decisions, and twisted sisters.
Can someone make this into a movie, please?
This initially seeming simplistic storyline developed and unfolded for me as the complexity of familial bonds was driven home. As for why one would become a serial killer (of boyfriends specifically) also comes to light in a revelatory manner. Kudos
The review that called this book “a small grenade of a novel” was absolutely correct.
4.5*
Twins Koredie and Ayoola are very different. Conscientious Korede is a senior nurse in a hospital while the beautiful Ayoola is workshy and relies on her looks to get by. Ayoola has a steady stream of suitors, some of whom have come to unfortunate ends. If the real reason for their demises gets out, both sisters will be in trouble; and thanks to Korede’s imprudent actions a third party is now aware of their secret.
We quickly gain an insight into the nature of the twins’ symbiotic relationship, as the narrative frequently flits back to their younger years. The setting, Lagos, Nigeria, provides a fascinating backdrop due to the contrast between the educated professionals that populate the story and the nefarious, corruptive elements inherent in both society at large and the twins’ own family.
The intriguing premise, darkly humorous elements and dialogue-heavy content make for an enduring combination. This compactly written, first-person female-character driven novel is richly deserving of the numerous plaudits it has received.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this one, but I was not disappointed. Funny, keenly observed, with the right amount of pearl-clutching. The rich characterizations and dynamics between the characters elevate the story even further. Great summer (or anytime of the year) read!
A dark, bleak, yet thoroughly compelling story of sisterhood and the strength of family ties. This story revolves around two sisters; Ayoola who resembles a Bratz doll, and Korede the narrator of the story, who is more like a voodoo figurine with, according to the boys at school, ‘lips like a gorilla’ and who knows putting on make-up for her is ‘as futile as using air freshener when you leave the toilet’. Lovely, hardworking nurse, Korede whose talent is recognised with a promotion, is falling in love with Tade a doctor in her department – she thinks perhaps this feeling could be reciprocated by him – that is, until beautiful Ayoola turns up at the hospital.
Why has Ayoola killed again? And why does Korede help her clear up the mess she leaves behind? This is the fundamental drive of the novel – discovering what has turned Ayoola into a serial killer. She clearly shows no remorse for her victims, happily singing ‘I believe I can fly’ a few days after Femi’s death, and Korede notes she can’t even remember his surname.
Braithwaite paints a vivid picture of the father they refer to as Sir with his cane which you can ‘hear before you feel it’ and his precious knife which Ayoola carries around in her handbag the ‘way others carry tampons’. The cruelty of the father’s actions and those of his sister, Taiwo, are slowly revealed throughout the narrative and explain their mother’s reliance on Ambien and go some way to absolving Ayoola’s behaviour. That aside, I hated Ayoola – her attitude to her date with Tade made me want to scream; her complaint about the orchids he sends her, and her lateness show her as spoilt and petulant. She is utterly self-centred and self-obsessed. Korede has always been blamed for everything that goes wrong for Ayoola, for example, if she breaks a glass it’s Korede’s fault for giving her the drink in the first place. Clearly, there is something wrong with Ayoola – her sister had to spend three hours on the etiquette of why one should pause to eat whilst in the presence of someone who is grieving and the incident with the ice cream is darkly funny. Yinka, who refers to Muhtar as ‘coma guy’ and is either asleep or playing Candy Crush also adds a touch of black comedy to the story. Yet, despite Ayoola seeming childlike and naïve, at the same time, her beauty and the simpering actions of those around her, allow her to make startlingly accurate character assassinations. It is left to Muhtar, the coma patient in a room 313, to whom Korede confides in, to give the reader a glimmer of hope – the happy promise of popcorn and syrup.
Although Braithwaite is super skilled at showing the intricate threads by which the sisters co-exist, I couldn’t quite forgive Korede for the aftershocks of what happens with Tade. A clever, sad and haunting book.
Such a rich, darkly funny story about two sisters — one of them, true to the title, a serial killer. But it’s not her fault! They were asking for it. Or where they? How far would you go to protect your family. The answer is complicated and the telling so engrossing.
A dark, compelling literary thriller told in a sparse, almost wry commentary. I highly recommend this pacey serial killer thriller set in Nigeria.
I’ve never read a book quite like this, where I want to root for someone at the same time I’m not sure what the right thing for her to do is. Here, the narrator makes us love her – and her serial killing sister – but as the story unfolds, we’re not sure what the “right” choice is for either of them, well, except for the killing part. Clearly, that’s not the right choice.
A book I’ll think about for a long time.
I loved this novel! First of all, it was completely unpredictable and original; it’s neither a whodunnit, nor a thriller. Secondly, it was laugh-out-loud in places; Braithwaite is funny–something I hadn’t expected from this novel. Thirdly, it was surprisingly poignant; Braithwaite cleverly waited until the final moments of the story to reveal why the well-intentioned, hard-working, spinsterish sister is so devoted to her spoiled younger sister, the one who keeps killing off her boyfriends. Until then, we are puzzled, grinding our teeth in frustration, to understand the older sister’s behavior. When we do find out, it’s a punch to the gut, a I-didn’t-see-that-coming, a very satisfying Ah-Hah! I can’t wait for this author’s next book!!
A typical tale of two sisters. Korede is the sensible, plain, reliable older sibling, and Ayoola is the stunningly beautiful, feckless but much adored younger one. Oh and she’s also a serial killer who thins out the long line of her admirers by dating them, bumping them off and calling Korede to clear up the mess.
Every time it happens, hospital nurse Korede sighs and does the necessary to protect her baby sister. But her loyalties are suddenly split when Ayoola takes a shine to Tade, a doctor Korede works with and secretly loves.
Behind the comedy crimes is a darker heart to the novel where the author reveals details of the sisters’ upbringing. The writing is smooth, the plot deceptively simple and the setting of Lagos well drawn.
I chose this book mainly for the amazing cover and the short length,, but by the second sentence I was hooked. The main character is Korede, a nurse at a hospital in Lagos, Nigeria who has an unfortunate side job—cleaning up the aftermath when her younger sister murders her boyfriends. When the novel opens, Ayoola has just killed another one and Korede, who will do anything to protect her baby sister, is called to come in with the cleaning supplies. Korede knows her sister is sick, but she is unable to report the crimes for fear of the retribution against her sister. The story takes a sinister turn when Ayoola begins dating Tade, the handsome doctor Korede has harbored a secret crush on for some time. As Tade becomes ensnared in Ayoola’s web, Korede is forced to make a choice between her sister and the man she loves. This novel is short, but packs a strong punch and the tone is sharp, sarcastic and strangely funny. Definitely pick this one up if you’re in the mood for something a little bit different and off the beaten track.
I was captivated throughout for the entire read. I love a book that makes me feel for someone I don’t want to like – so many differing emotions were woven throughout the story, making each main character both loved and disliked.
SO FABULOUS! One of my favorite fiction reads in quite awhile.