A review by honeyreads1066
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I listened to this as an audiobook which I think is a better way to read this. 
This book follows Korede, a nurse who occasionally gets phone calls from her sister Ayoola saying she has killed a man and asking Korede to help clean it up. When the police start sniffing around them because of the last man she killed and Ayoola starts dating a doctor that Korede is particularly fond of she must decide between the man she loves and her sister the serial killer. 

The thing that stood out to me the most was the relationship between sisters. As fantastical as the events are, they reminded me of my relationship with my sister, one that is complicated and defined by shared experiences. It showed just how far people are will to go for their family in a way that felt reasonable. 

I think the fact that this relationship was the core focus meant that the rest of the characters became a little lacklustre. Some you're fond of, most you're not but even though some weren't 2 dimensional they still felt as though they needed a bit more to them to give them a push into convincing real people. 

The thing that fell flat for me was the ending, there was such a large amount of anticipation for what was to happen and it fell a bit flat for me. I understand that the book isn't really about the plot but since I felt it was particularly strong throughout, it was disappointing for it to end the way it did. 

Overall, I would recommend this, it was fast and a deep dive into how complicated singing relationships can be. Also from a perspective and in a setting that is not often seen in mainstream media. 

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