Title: My Sister, The Serial Killer
Author: Oyinkan Braithwaite
Series: N/A
Dates Read: 30/08/2024
Published Date: 20 November 2018
Genre: Crime/Thriller
Pages: 226
Pace: Fast
Content Warnings (May contain spoilers)
Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, Murder, Police brutality, Racism, Toxic relationship.
Who is this for? Young Adult, Adult.
This book covers:
- Discovering someone isn’t who you thought they were.
- Deciding who and what is important to you – morals or family.
Format/Disclosure: Library, paperback.
Rating: 1.75⭐
Review:
Korede is a nurse at the local hospital, pining for a doctor who doesn’t seem to notice her outside of a purely professional manner. But, in her private life, Korede is having to come to terms with the fact that her sister may not be as innocent as she believes – because, there’s now 3 suspicious deaths linked to her, all ex-boyfriends who she reports attacked her first. This becomes a bigger issue when her sister sets her eyes on the same doctor that Korede is attracted to, and Korede must come to terms with who and what her sister is, and decide what is more important to her – family or truth/morals?
This is a very short and snappy book, with chapters being only a page long in many cases, and even then, maybe only 1 or 2 paragraphs. Fitting more into the novella category due to its length, it also means that although we meant the main characters, we never really get to know them as there’s not enough to really describe who they are. We know that Korede’s family are rich, living in a house well beyond what they need, with a full staff to service it, but we’re never told how that wealth came about or whether its still present. Korede is the only one who works, while her mother and sister spend their time at home, but it’s never really revealed if Korede needs to work or just enjoys being out of the house and away from the drama.
Although it’s listed as a thriller, the actually events that take place are very briefly skimmed over, so it seems more as though it’s a question of morality. But, even with it being centred on morality, the short length and snappy chapters means not being able to properly delve into that aspect either. The events that take place are barely touched on, even in the reasoning of why it happens, and although Korede seems to have a constant internal battle, she seems to just take whatever is said without much argument.
We grow attached to certain characters, while being made to hate others through their despicable actions, but the conclusion of the book leaves you wanting more. When you’re questioning the morality of murder and how far you’ll go to protect your family, to have it skimmed over so lightly doesn’t really leave you pondering it too deeply. Ayoola consistently shows what a terrible person she is, and how much she walks over Korede, and I spent the entire time hoping she would stand up for herself, but.. she doesn’t. & the ending just fell flat for me. There’s no reasoning, no change from anyone to “justify” the decision. It’s flimsy and weak.
Since the novel was so short, I was able to read it within a few hours, and that would be the only positive of it. I’d heard such rave reviews of how sharp and quick-witted it was, but I just didn’t find that to be the case.