I know they say don’t judge a book by its cover, but dang, the artwork for Oyinkan Braithwaite’s debut novel My Sister, the Serial Killer is a stunner. Especially when paired with its gag-worthy title.
The good news is that Braithwaite’s satirical thriller exceeds expectations.
It is the story of two sisters: older sibling Korede, a plain-Jane type-A enabler, who has long been overshadowed by the younger Ayoola, a vivacious beauty bursting with charisma and, to Korede’s increasing horror, homicidal tendencies. Once Ayoola takes up with Korede’s dreamboat boss things get even hairier, and Korede must confront that murky place where morality and loyalty collide.
Not only is My Sister, the Serial Killer a smartly executed thriller with ample suspense and laugh out loud moments, it also succeeds as a slice-of-life peek at the world of modern Lagos, Nigeria. It delves into class distinctions, police run-ins, social media consumerism, and more. That added layer of social commentary is a bonus bang for your buck with what is already a super fun, super fast read. You won’t go wrong with this one.