This episode’s book:My Sister, the Serial Killer is the debut thriller novel (although Rach reckons it’s more a novella) by Oyinkan Braithwaite. It was originally published in Nigeria as Thicker Than Water. It received critical acclaim upon publication and was long listed for the 2019 Booker Prize.

This week’s guest is multi-genre author, Kayte Nunn, who has the most delightful accent, probably because she grew up between England and the United States, although she’s now lived in Australia for more than twenty-five years. Kate is a lifelong book lover (which is obvious in this wonderful chat) and believes stories find their writers. Her latest book is THE PALAZZO.

In this episode, we cover:

Titles – original vs translation

Dynamics between sisters

Nigerian culture and setting

Dumb guys

What exactly is literary fiction?

The ethics of serial killer fiction.

Thoughts on Booktok.

💋 And, of course, we rate My SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER: Kiss, Kill, or Marry.

📚 Books Mentioned in this Ep

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson

Jilly Cooper’s books

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

The Last Reunion by Kayte Nunn

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

Katherine Heiny books

Trespassers by Louise Kennedy

Small Pleasure by Clare Chambers

And TV/Movies:

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

Timestamps

0.42 – Intro our author mate Kayte Nunn – what’s a nice girl from Wiltshire doing on a pod like this?

3.13 – Rach’s earrings get stabby – accessories for the crazy author in your life…

5.38 – Bios – boring, useful, a great way to brag about

7.10 – Anthea gives the narrator a full tick of approval – and not just because she didn’t have to read the book herself!

9.15 – A very average Goodreads rating and is the original title, classy – but boring?

11.53 – Double Kiss! Anthea commits to reporting back to RBD about her deathbed experience, and what she’d like to read before she goes..

14.30 – Tade – a tall dark and handsome Dr – Rachael not a fan. WTF???!!!

17.15 – Anthea – pro-serial killer – not into anti little sister movement. Speaks passionately in defence of junior siblings everywhere..

19.25 – OMG Rach admits she’s WRONG (and Anthea is very classy about it!)

21.10 – Kates raves about the symbolism and language – Fancy.

23.0 – Rach wonders about literary serial killers – just because you’re stabbing some guy, doesn’t mean you’re basic.

27.47 – Are serial killers sexy now? Is that ok?

30.02 – How does Kate read? Is she a DNF’er? YES SHE IS!

33.5 – Rach disses Anne of Green Gables and Anthea talks about the olden days. Again. And appreciates charming bloody Anne because she isn’t a total heathen!

35.25 -Car rides with Kayte’s family – NEXT LEVEL! (Best mum award goes to Kayte’s mum!)

38.02 – The historical vs contemporary fiction debate. Again. (Rach just won’t let it go) (Anthea quietly realises she’s written both, so she wins!)

40.00 – In praise of the voice. Kayte loves snark! (Anthea thinks the word snark isn’t used nearly enough)

42. 23 – Fave book adaptations (Kind of including The Talented Mr Ripley, but we forgot the name at the time!)

44.00 – Reviews – Kayte loves wallowing about in reviews – the thought alone makes Anthea reach for a stiff cup of tea.

Next Ep, we’re diving into The Crash by Freida McFadden and March guest is John Purcell who will make us read The Friend by Sigrid Nunez.

April Books: 14th April – Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy28th April – The Only One Left by Riley Sager with guest Mercedes Mercier

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe