In Oyinkan Braithwaite’s wickedly sharp debut novel, “My Sister, the Serial Killer,” we’re introduced to two Nigerian sisters bound by blood, secrets, and a body count that keeps rising. This isn’t your typical crime thriller—it’s a darkly comedic, tightly woven tale about family loyalty pushed to its most extreme limits. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Lagos, Nigeria, this book serves up murder with a side of sisterly devotion that’s as disturbing as it is compelling.
The story follows Korede, a meticulous nurse with a talent for cleaning up messes—including those left by her beautiful younger sister Ayoola, who has developed an unfortunate habit of killing her boyfriends. When Ayoola sets her sights on a doctor at Korede’s hospital—the same doctor Korede secretly loves—the elder sister must decide where her loyalties truly lie: with protecting the man she adores or with the sister who has always depended on her.
Razor-Sharp Prose in Compact Form
At just over 200 pages, Braithwaite’s novel is remarkably economical, yet manages to deliver a powerful story with nuanced characters. The writing style is crisp and straightforward, with short chapters that propel the narrative forward at a brisk pace. This structural choice creates a sense of urgency that mirrors Korede’s frantic attempts to keep her sister’s murderous tendencies under control.
The author employs a first-person perspective through Korede’s eyes, allowing readers to experience her growing moral conflict and the weight of complicity. Braithwaite writes with precision, never wasting words yet managing to create vivid images—particularly in the chilling opening scenes where Korede methodically cleans up after Ayoola’s latest “self-defense” incident:
“I bet you didn’t know that bleach masks the smell of blood. Most people use bleach indiscriminately, assuming it is a catchall product, never taking the time to read the list of ingredients on the back, never taking the time to return to the recently wiped surface to take a closer look. Bleach will disinfect, but it’s not great for cleaning residue, so I use it only after I have first scrubbed the bathroom of all traces of life, and death.”
This passage exemplifies Braithwaite’s skill at making the mundane terrifying—transforming household cleaning into evidence elimination.
Sisters, Sociopathy, and Society’s Double Standards
At its core, this novel is an examination of sisterhood and family bonds—how far we’ll go to protect those we love, even when they may not deserve it. Korede and Ayoola’s relationship is fascinatingly complex:
- Responsibility vs. Resentment: Korede has always been Ayoola’s protector, a role ingrained since childhood, but this duty is increasingly tinged with resentment.
- Beauty vs. Intelligence: Ayoola’s stunning beauty opens doors for her despite her deadly nature, while practical, plain Korede is overlooked despite her moral compass.
- Enabler vs. Perpetrator: Korede never commits the murders but becomes complicit through her cleanup efforts.
The novel cleverly explores how beauty privileges Ayoola, who breezes through life with minimal consequences despite her actions. Society—including their own mother—favors her based solely on appearances. This commentary on beauty standards feels particularly pointed and relevant.
Nigerian Setting as Character
Braithwaite infuses the novel with Nigerian cultural elements that enrich the story without overwhelming it. Lagos emerges as a character in its own right—colorful, chaotic, and full of contrasts. The author seamlessly incorporates Yoruba terms and cultural references that ground the story in its setting:
- The family’s complex relationship with their deceased father
- Social expectations around marriage and female behavior
- The intersection of traditional values and modern social media culture
- Class dynamics that affect how characters navigate Nigerian society
The Lagos traffic jams, power outages, and interactions with police offer authentic glimpses into daily Nigerian life, creating a vivid backdrop for the sisters’ deadly drama to unfold against.
Darkness with a Side of Humor
What sets “My Sister, the Serial Killer” apart from other thrillers is its unexpected humor. Braithwaite masterfully balances the grim subject matter with moments of dark comedy that sometimes catch readers off-guard:
- Ayoola casually posting on Instagram while Korede panics about their latest crime
- The absurdity of Korede teaching Ayoola to cook èfọ́ while contemplating her sister’s body count
- The sisters playing Cluedo (Clue) with Tade, an unsuspecting potential victim
This juxtaposition of the horrific with the mundane or humorous creates a dissonance that makes the novel uniquely unsettling. We laugh, then immediately question if we should be laughing at all.
A Father’s Legacy of Violence
Through flashbacks, Braithwaite gradually reveals the sisters’ troubled upbringing under an abusive father. These scenes provide crucial context for understanding their dynamics and behaviors:
“She took it [the knife] from his possessions before his body was cold in the ground… He kept it sheathed and locked in a drawer, but he would bring it out whenever we had guests to show it off to.”
The knife that becomes Ayoola’s murder weapon once belonged to their father—a symbolic passing of violence from one generation to the next. The novel suggests, without excusing Ayoola’s actions, that trauma can create monsters. This exploration of cyclical violence adds psychological depth to what could otherwise be a straightforward thriller.
Limitations and Critique
Despite its many strengths, “My Sister, the Serial Killer” isn’t without flaws. The novel’s brevity, while creating an impactful reading experience, sometimes comes at the expense of deeper character development. Certain elements feel underdeveloped:
- Psychological Exploration: While we understand Ayoola is likely a sociopath, her psychology remains somewhat opaque. A deeper dive into her mindset might have added another dimension.
- Secondary Characters: Characters like their mother and hospital colleagues sometimes feel like sketches rather than fully realized people.
- Moral Resolution: The ending, while fitting, might leave readers wanting more explicit moral reckoning with the consequences of enabling violence.
- Plot Development: Some readers might find the plot somewhat straightforward compared to more twist-heavy thrillers. The focus here is more on character study than complex mystery.
These limitations don’t significantly detract from the novel’s impact but represent areas where Braithwaite might have expanded her exploration.
Final Verdict: A Fresh Voice in Crime Fiction
“My Sister, the Serial Killer” announces Braithwaite as a distinctive new voice in crime fiction. This isn’t just a story about murder—it’s about family obligation, beauty privilege, trauma’s legacy, and the moral compromises we make for those we love.
The novel succeeds because it subverts expectations of the thriller genre. There’s no detective piecing together clues, no justice system at work. Instead, we’re inside the mind of an accomplice, watching her justify her complicity while slowly recognizing its cost.
Strengths:
- Unique premise and perspective
- Crisp, economical writing style
- Effective use of dark humor
- Strong sense of place
- Pointed social commentary
Areas for Improvement:
- Some character relationships could be more developed
- Certain plot points feel rushed due to brevity
- Deeper psychological exploration would enhance complexity
Recommendations for Readers
This novel will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy:
- Character-driven crime fiction
- Stories with morally complex protagonists
- Dark humor and satire
- International settings and perspectives
- Quick, compelling reads
If you enjoyed “My Sister, the Serial Killer,” you might also appreciate Tana French’s psychological crime novels, Gillian Flynn’s “Sharp Objects,” or Ottessa Moshfegh’s “Eileen”—all of which feature complicated female protagonists navigating dark circumstances.
As Braithwaite’s debut novel, this work stands alone in her bibliography at publication, though it clearly demonstrates potential for an exciting literary career. For readers seeking fiction from Nigerian authors, works by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Akwaeke Emezi offer different but equally compelling perspectives on Nigerian life and culture.
In conclusion, “My Sister, the Serial Killer” delivers a memorable, morally complex story that lingers long after its final page. With its sharp social observations and unforgettable sister dynamic, it’s a worthy addition to any thriller fan’s bookshelf—just keep the bleach handy, just in case.
