Review: My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Title: My Sister, the Serial Killer
Author: Oyikan Braithwaite
Format: Hardback, 226 pages
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Publisher: Doubleday Books
Release Date: November 28, 2019

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What Popped: I really enjoyed the structure. It had short chapters and it was really fast paced, but not to fast.

What Flopped: It’s hard to say what flopped because there were a lot of things that didn’t work for me. Things that left me puzzled and wanting more. That could be good, but there were some things I needed some closure on and didn’t get. Probably a personal preference. Also, there were no serial killer scenes only clean up and not much of that either.

My Thoughts: I didn’t love it, but I did enjoy it. Braithwaite’s writing is good; but it left me wanting more. I expected or had hoped that we would learn more about the serial killer – how she came to be? Braithwaite didn’t include any gory serial killer details. No how she snapped in order to kill. No real police investigation. Not sure this should be listed as a Mystery or Thriller because there was no mystery to be had and it was not suspenseful at all. The reader didn’t have to try to figure out who the murderer was. I mean, after all we are told in the title of the book.

I didn’t particularly care for the main characters and “coma guy” seemed to be the only logical character in the whole story when he woke up. The voice of reason.

For me there are quite a few holes that could have been filled in. Despite that it was still an enjoyable read. Recommend for a quick weekend or beach read.

Goodreads 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: March Book One by Senator John Lewis

Title: March: Book One
Author: John Lewis, Andrew Aydin & Nate Powell (Illustrator)
Format: Paperback
Genre: Nonfiction Graphic Novel
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
Release Date: August 13, 2013

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Over the summer a lot of high school students came in to the bookstore looking for March: Book One and it was on our Summer reading List; and it got me thinking. . . 🤔

I had a hard time trying to figure out the best way to write a review for this book/graphic novel. So, I didn’t. Instead I chose to choose some panels and tell you a few familial personal stories. I hope you enjoy. But above all else, I hope you either go buy March or check it out from your local library. John Lewis’s story is AH-mazing!

I heard about it prior to this summer, but because it’s not my typical genre – nonfiction – I never bothered. Well, I’m glad I did. I really enjoyed this.

[Book Review] Woman with a Birthmark by Håkan Nesser

Title: Woman with Birthmark: An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery (Book 4)
Author: Håkan Nesser
Format: Paperback, 336 pages
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Police Procedural
Publisher: Vintage Crime/Black Lizard
ISBN: 9780307387233
Translation Release Date: March 9, 2010
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ 1/2
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I read the previous Van Veeteren mysteries and I have to say this is my least favorite. Woman with Birthmark is for all intents and purposes a police procedural. It follows the detectives knocking on doors, doing interviews, fielding phone calls, and not getting anywhere — at all. It was frustrating to me as a reader, but perhaps the most frustrating part is that the killer is revealed at the very beginning; which left me nothing really to try and figure out. What’s not revealed is the why and if you’re an astute reader you’ll figure out the why after the first murder, if not than you’re sure to get after the second.

[Book Review]The Bat by Jo Nesbo

The Bat by Jo Nesbo
Kindle Edition/Paperback, 369
Translation Published 2012
First Published 1997
First Vintage Crime/Black Lizard Edition, July 2013
Translated by Don Bartlett
Rating 3/5

I was absolutely ecstatic when I found out earlier this year that Jo Nesbo’s The Bat would finally be available in the U.S.  It saved me from ordering it from the U.K. or Canada or even Australia.  But I was even more ecstatic when I received a galley copy of the book from the publisher (Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group) before its actual U.S. release date.

The Bat is the first book in the Inspector Harry Hole series and the latest to be released in the U.S.  Inspector Harry Hole from the Oslo Crime Squad is sent to Syndey, Australia to assist in the murder investigation of a young Norwegian woman, who is minor television celebrity in his homeland.  However Harry soon finds out that he is to be a mere observer and to look at his time in Australia as a vacation.  However as the investigation progresses Harry finds himself more and more involved in solving the murder or as he discovers murders.

Book Chat: The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

The Time Keeper
by Mitch Albom
Hardback, 222
Published September 28, 2012
Rating: 3/5

I have been a fan of Mitch Albom since I read Tuesday’s with Morrie in college.  Since then I have read all of his books.  I eagerly awaited the release of The Timekeeper and when I saw it in my local bookstore pounced on it like a cat pouncing its dinner prey.

The Time Keeper is a fable about the first man to count the hours of the day, who would later be known as Father Time.  As a result of his transgression the man is banished to a cave for thousands of years (6000 to be exact) to think about what he has done — now that’s a pretty serious time out.  During this banishment he is also forced to listen to the earthly voices constantly asking for more time.  Father Time is finally set free from the cave only to go to earth and teach two people the meaning of time and in teaching them he ultimately saves himself.

The Time Keeper introduces the reader to the three main characters: Dor, Sarah Lemon and Victor Delamonte.