My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
A Frustrating Tale of Loyalty and Chaos
The first book I tackled for this year’s work book club was My Sister, the Serial Killer. I usually enjoy dark and twisted reads, but this one left me wanting more. I initially thought it was a 2.5-star read, but I decided to bump it up to 3.
This book made me so angry—mainly because of Korede. She’s a hardworking, loyal daughter and sister who is constantly overlooked and forced into the shadow of her younger sister, Ayoola. Ayoola, who captivates everyone simply because of her beauty, has a deeply troubling side: she kills the men she dates.
What really stuck with me was Korede’s unwavering loyalty. Despite being underappreciated and pushed aside, she continues to protect Ayoola at all costs. I honestly don’t know if I could ever be that selfless, and I found myself frustrated on Korede’s behalf throughout the story.
This was a quick and dramatic read, filled with chaotic family dynamics, unresolved childhood trauma, toxic sibling bonds, and commentary on unfair beauty standards. While Ayoola’s wild behavior kept things interesting, I hoped for more depth overall.
I’m glad to have started my reading year, but I really hope my next dark read delivers more of the substance I’m looking for!
