My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite Summary

My Sister, the Serial Killer is a darkly comedic thriller about Korede, a nurse in Lagos who repeatedly cleans up crime scenes after her beautiful younger sister Ayoola kills her boyfriends. The story intensifies when Ayoola begins dating Tade, a doctor Korede has long admired, forcing Korede to choose between protecting her sister or saving an innocent man from becoming the next victim.

My Sister, the Serial Killer appeals to readers who enjoy darkly comedic fiction, psychological thrillers with unconventional narrators, and stories exploring complex family dynamics. Fans of Gillian Flynn's sharp social commentary or readers interested in contemporary African literature will appreciate Braithwaite's satirical examination of beauty standards, sisterhood, and the extremes of family loyalty set against Lagos's vibrant backdrop.

My Sister, the Serial Killer is worth reading for its unique blend of dark humor and suspense delivered in a concise, engaging format. The novel won the 2019 LA Times Book Prize and the 2020 British Book Award for Crime & Thriller, earning praise from The New York Times and The Washington Post. Its fresh perspective on thriller conventions and sharp social commentary make it a standout debut.

Oyinkan Braithwaite is a Nigerian-British novelist born in Lagos in 1988 who studied creative writing and law at Kingston University. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as an assistant editor at Kachifo Limited and as a production manager at Ajapa World. Her debut novel My Sister, the Serial Killer earned her recognition as a finalist for the Booker Prize and winner of multiple international awards.

My Sister, the Serial Killer explores codependent sisterhood, beauty privilege, and the lengths family loyalty can stretch. Braithwaite examines how physical appearance determines romantic success, with beautiful Ayoola easily attracting men while plain Korede is overlooked. The novel also critiques toxic family bonds, questioning whether blood truly justifies protecting a serial killer, while satirizing romantic love as superficial and appearance-dependent.

My Sister, the Serial Killer is primarily a dark comedy disguised as a thriller. While the premise involves serial murder, reviewers note the novel satirizes thriller conventions rather than building traditional suspense. Braithwaite's blunt narrative style, deadpan humor, and opening "how to get away with murder" guide establish a comedic tone that examines sister dynamics and social commentary more than creating genuine thrills.

Korede and Ayoola represent opposite ends of beauty and personality spectrums in My Sister, the Serial Killer. Korede is practical, caring, and overlooked, working as a nurse while enabling her sister's crimes. Ayoola is beautiful, self-absorbed, and potentially sociopathic, claiming self-defense despite no physical evidence. Their codependent relationship explores how family trauma and beauty standards create toxic bonds where actions speak louder than words.

My Sister, the Serial Killer critiques how physical appearance dictates women's value and romantic prospects. Beautiful Ayoola effortlessly attracts men and escapes suspicion despite killing three boyfriends, while conventionally plain Korede is romantically invisible despite her competence and kindness. Braithwaite demonstrates that beauty carries dangerous power, allowing attractive women to manipulate situations while unattractive women are dismissed, regardless of character or capability.

My Sister, the Serial Killer won:

• 2019 LA Times Award for Best Mystery/Thriller
• 2020 British Book Award for Crime & Thriller Book of the Year
• 2019 Anthony Award for Best First Novel

The novel was longlisted for the 2019 Booker Prize and shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. It became the second-highest bestselling Booker longlisted title in 2019.

My Sister, the Serial Killer uses Lagos as an atmospheric backdrop that shapes the story's themes and tensions. The Nigerian setting influences family dynamics, social expectations around beauty and marriage, and the practical challenges of disposing evidence. Braithwaite's familiarity with Lagos adds authenticity to the narrative, making the city more than scenery—it's a character that informs cultural attitudes toward sisterhood, appearance, and family loyalty.

Critics of My Sister, the Serial Killer note the novel prioritizes Korede's unrequited romance over the serial killing premise, disappointing readers expecting sustained thriller tension. Some reviewers found the story emotionally contained and lacking character development, particularly wishing Korede had chosen herself over her toxic sister. The brevity, while praised by many, left others wanting deeper exploration of motivations and psychological complexity behind Ayoola's murders.

My Sister, the Serial Killer is a concise novel with a stripped-down narrative style focusing on essentials. The book's brevity is intentional, matching its blunt, emotionally contained storytelling approach. This compact structure allows Braithwaite to deliver sharp social commentary and dark humor without excessive exposition, making it an impactful quick read that maintains intensity while exploring complex themes of family, beauty, and loyalty.