My Sister the Serial Killer is a book I’ve been seeing everywhere. I had no idea what to think when I picked it up. The title is catchy alone! But what I didn’t expect intrigued me, but I was left unresolved. Keep reading this book review of My Sister the Serial Killer for my full thoughts.
Summary
When Korede’s dinner is interrupted one night by a distress call from her sister, Ayoola, she knows what’s expected of her: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel and a strong stomach. This’ll be the third boyfriend Ayoola’s dispatched in, quote, self-defence and the third mess that her lethal little sibling has left Korede to clear away. She should probably go to the police for the good of the menfolk of Nigeria, but she loves her sister and, as they say, family always comes first. Until, that is, Ayoola starts dating the doctor where Korede works as a nurse. Korede’s long been in love with him, and isn’t prepared to see him wind up with a knife in his back: but to save one would mean sacrificing the other…
Review
I didn’t realize that My Sister the Serial Killer would be written in a series of small almost poem like chapters. There isn’t a distinct rhyme scheme, they’re more of less small chapters of prose. This makes My Sister the Serial Killer an extremely fast paced read. We are thrown headfirst into these grim situations and sprint to the next chapter. At its core, My Sister the Serial Killer is a story about sisterhood. It’s about wondering what we would sacrifice for our sister. It’s also about envy, resentment, anger, and love.
My biggest complaint with the book is that while the ending has some thought provoking elements, it remains a bit unresolved. I’m not saying every book has to have ‘a point’ and maybe not knowing if we ever escape this cycle is the point, but for me, as a reader, I was left feeling a bit adrift. We understand this animosity not only because of the lack of remorse her sister has, but also because she has this quality which attracts people like moths to a flame. We all know someone like this. And yet My Sister the Serial Killer seems to ask us if we can ever escape. If we make a decision that sets our life into motion which cannot be undone.
Overall,
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Will one choice leave us trapped forever in a bargain we unwittingly made for life? And can we ever alter our trajectory? My Sister the Serial Killer seemingly remains undecided. While we get to know both sisters (however mostly from Korede’s eyes) we have to ask ourselves where the responsibility, blame, and duty lie. If you like books with endings that make you wonder and still think, but without a distinct feeling of resolution, this is for you. For me while it was enjoyable and certainly intriguing, I’m not sure I’d recommend it to everyone – only those who fall into the previous camp.
Find My Sister the Serial Killer on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.