Dead Head - C.J. Skuse

Having not read her two previous books in the series I was a little worried I wouldn't have a clue what was going on...but I thoroughly enjoyed this book and do believe that it can be read as a stand alone. I feel that so much happened in the story but it did not feel exhausting to read or confusing, the characters were great (I especially liked the relationship between Rhiannon and Caro - who she meets on the cruise ship). Even against the backdrop of the genre there is such great humour in the writing which somehow helps to keep it lighthearted and fun (yes hard to imagine with all the other content!)

Thank you so much to NetGalley and HQ for allowing me the chance to read and review this book

Rhiannon Lewis returns in this third part of CJ Skuse’s dark and devious serial killer series.

A review that’s difficult to write without spoilers. This book closely follows the events of its 2 predecessors and I would suggest you really do read SweetPea and In Bloom before this 3rd book.

Wickedly entertaining, hilariously funny and brutally dark, CJ Skuse manages to nail another brilliant episode In Rhiannon’s epic story.

What could become stale continues to feel fresh and fun, as Skuse’s deranged serial killers madcap adventures hurtle on at pace.

🔥🔥🔥🔥

Dead Head is the third book in this brilliant series and continues the story of everyones favourite serial killer perfectly.
It is tough to say much without spoilers, especially for people who haven't read books one and two (do yourselves a favour and rectify that if you haven't, honestly!) But it is so good to be back in Rhiannon's world. She is not her usual self after the events of the last book, but it is good to see the other sides of her character coming out, while keeping the familiar kill lists, acerbic attitude and hilarious one-liners we have grown to love.
It was also nice to see the nod the The Alibi Girl (another brilliant book by this author!) And I am hopeful, particularly after that ending, that it won't be long till we catch up with Rhiannon again.

I am a massive fan of the Sweetpea series and was really pleased a new one had been written!

Is it me or can Rhiannon read my mind?! Not that I'd ever become a vigilante but still she is spot on about some things!

I think in this book, we see a softer side to Rhiannon, just with a side of violence this time. The book ends on a open note and there is definitely scope for adventures.

I think another reviewer calls the books, 'Bridget Jones meets Patrick Bateman' and I couldn't agree more!

A fantastic follow up to the previous two books about serial killer Rhiannon. It’s a deliciously dark twisted story with some genuinely laugh out loud moments. A fantastic read.

Five fabulous stars.

I have read the first two books in this series: Sweet Pea and In Bloom so I was so excited to read Dead Head and my goodness, it was worth the wait. Although you could perhaps jump into the series with this book, you really should read the first two for the complete backstory because not doing so is like having a cream tea with the scone but no cream and jam.

I love the character of Rhiannon Lewis. She is so likeable even though she’s a serial killer. She is vulnerable but deadly, hilarious, and sharp witted. I like her so much that I was often left questioning wtf is wrong with me.
It is really hard to review this book without giving away spoilers but suffice to say, it is a fun, laugh-out-loud, shocking and wonderful book and you absolutely must read it.

Dead Head is the third book in the wonderfully dark, hysterically funny, outrageously shocking series about my favourite female serial killer EVER. Rhiannon Lewis is on the run, having fled the UK, leaving her new born baby behind and finds herself on a Mediterranean cruise trying to “lie low” until she can work out what to do next and avoid life in prison.

If you haven’t read the first two books, Sweet Pea (read my review here) and In Bloom (read my review here) then stop reading this right now and pop over to Amazon and buy them both – but please note that you need a strong stomach, a very dark sense of humour and the ability to not get easily offended or insulted because I promise you that reading about Rhiannon is not for wussies!

Once again the book is told in diary entries with the infamous “Kill Lists” and I was laughing so loud that Mr F told me several times to “shut up, stop reading or go downstairs” but I couldn’t help myself, sniggering and giggling away at CJ Skuse’s brilliant observational humour, Rhiannon’s dead pan comments, thoughts and actions throughout the book.

Wildly entertaining, highly enjoyable, snort out loud scenes, inappropriate behaviour and an absolute pleasure to read. 5 big fat shiny stars from me and I can’t wait to read book 4 in this brilliant series.

I’ve only recently read the first two in this series so I was so excited to read this one and I wasn’t disappointed. This book is as addictive and fast paced as the first two and it literally picks up where the last one left off continuing with the same great dark sense of humour and drama, all that’s changed is Rhiannon... I don’t want to give anything away with this review but what I will say is if you loved the first two then you’ll love this one if not go and read them all because you won’t be disappointed.

"Victim. Murderer. Serial Killer. What next?

The third darkly comic thriller in the highly addictive Sweetpea series featuring serial killer Rhiannon Lewis.

Can a serial killer ever lose their taste for murder?"

Woohoo I was absolutely over the moon to be approved for this one! I think it was my most anticipated read of 2021!
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Rhiannon is back again for a third installment and Dead Head sees her board a cruise to go on the run from her old life in the UK. I read the first two books (Sweetpea and In Bloom) quite a while ago now (2019) and was worried I wouldn't remember everything that had happened in them, but Skuse drops in lots of useful throwbacks and reminders which nicely jogged my memory back to Rhiannon's earlier kills and cover-ups!
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I absolutely adore these books, I've never read anything quite like them and they're just so so different and unique to any other crime / murder style books I've ever read. I just love how you get right inside Rhiannon's head and experience her every thought and feeling before, during and after her kills!
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I think this book has a slightly slower pace than the first two but the writing is still just as brilliant and kept me completely gripped throughout. I now can't wait to re-read the whole series again at some point! Hoping there will be a fourth book as well, judging by the crazy cliffhanger we were left with!
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Have you followed Rhiannon's killing sprees so far and will you be following her journey on the run? Release date: 18th Feb. Big thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of the book, in exchange for an honest review!

I have only one negative thing to say about this book - it finished! I totally loved it and I need another instalment from Rhiannon now! Maybe not quite as crazy as Sweetpea but still a cracking read with some of the darkest humour I have ever read.

I was intrigued by the premise of a female serial killer, they're so rare, I though it would be fascinating to get inside her head. Sadly in this book the female killer has lost her mojo and it seemed to translate to the page. I don't know if it's because I hadn't read the first book in the series or if I didn't find her sense of humour funny but I ended up DNFing this book which is quite rare for me. Not for me.

For this book to make total sense you really need to read the first two - Sweetpea and In Bloom - they are both cracking reads so why not!? Oh and Rhiannon isn't everyone's cup of tea so, going further, I would also recommend you start with a sample of Sweetpea as a bit of a taster...
So... having confessed as the Sweetpea killer rather than the scapegoat who was jailed for her crimes, Rhiannon is on the run. I say that, she has actually reinvented herself after fleeing the UK on a cruise ship. She meets up with the journalist who spilled her original story and, in flashback, updates him on what has been happening to her since she fled, since she gave up her child...
This is classic Rhiannon - and if you like her, you'll love this book. I do and I did. She's a bit toned down in this book due to circumstance - but that's in action not in thought, she still starts each chapter with a hit list. It's just as dark as the book that have gone before and also just as funny in places. Rhiannon is a scream at times but, also, in this episode, she shows a softer side. Maybe she is mellowing, she is a mother now even if she is estranged from her child. And that side of her is coming out a bit, there's also a bit of romance on the horizon. But, then, just when the author has lulled you into a false sense of security, the action ramps up and the old Rhiannon is back, with a vengeance.
If you loved the first books, this will not disappoint. Roll on book four... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

My goodness - I have come to this book fresh as not read the other two but it didn't really matter (I am now going to read the first two).

This was so much fun and dark. I love the kill lists at the start of each chapter.

This was such an amazing find - you must read this.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review which I have done.

I was very happy to have the opportunity to read this early and review it as I love this series. I enjoyed this just as much as I did the first two in the series. I love the humour - I don’t think I’ve laughed out loud as much when reading as I do reading Skuse’s books. I’m not going to mention the plot as it’s the third in a series and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. A great book with dark humour, interesting characters and lots of action. I also enjoyed the references to The Alibi Girl. A series I will definitely reread.

I am looking forward to the next one.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the eARC.

Dead Head (Sweetpea 3) by CJ Skuse

No synopsis as would reveal spoilers in the previous book’s in this series

Review
You know its going to be a good book when your laughing after page 1.
I love this series, and the third book doesnt disapoint. Fast faced, crude and very funny.
I wish I could find more books that make me chuckle like this series does.

Rated 4/5

Thanks to Net Galley for a pre published copy of this book, in return for an honest review.

I devoured this book! I’d heard all the hype about Sweetpea when it came out, but never read it. And In Bloom passed me by, so this was the first in the Sweetpea series I’ve read. And wow did it blow me away! I didn’t feel as though I’d missed out by reading it as a standalone (although it has made me want to go back and read the first two).
Rhiannon Lewis is a crazy, larger-than-life serial killer on the run. She has a foul mouth; dangerous, deadly thoughts; and serious attitude. And I loved her! The story is clever and beguiling. I thought the opening was brilliant as we meet Rhiannon eavesdropping at the launch of a biography about her. The author, believing she’s dead, doesn’t let the truth spoil his story and claims all sorts of untruths. It’s hilarious!
Imagine his horror when he realizes she’s been listening. She then tells him her story, and we follow her journey on the run, from a luxury around-the-world cruise to Rocas Calientes, Mexico, as she takes on new looks and a new life.
Dead Head is uproariously funny, I mean fall-around -laughing funny – mainly because the story and Rhiannon are just so truly whacky, over-the-top, wicked and unique. It’s wonderfully refreshing to read a book that truly stands out for its sheer originality. Loved it.

Rhiannon Lewis is BACK! Except she's not really Rhiannon Lewis anymore. Not just because she's on the run and going by a pseudonym; after giving birth to – and giving up – baby Ivy, literature's most likeable serial killer has lost her mojo for murder. What's a girl to do? Get a fake passport and head to Mexico, of course.

Dead Head is the third of Skuse's sick, hilarious books about Rhiannon, following Sweetpea and In Bloom. I found the latter a little uneven, but Rhiannon's back on top form in Dead Head. The plot, too, is more ambitious than ever, taking our antiheroine all over the world and throwing in an unlikely father figure and a dreamy love interest. It's a far cry from her beginnings as a lowly editorial assistant at the Gazette. The riotously colourful, bloody, entertaining story is really good fun; I tore through it and had lots of 'squealing with laughter' moments, while also feeling very glad I wasn't reading this in the office. I certainly wouldn't want to have to explain some of Rhiannon's gleefully NSFW observations to an unsuspecting colleague...

The one caveat I'll provide is that you should read the other two books in the series first. I'm sure many of Rhiannon's one-liners would be funny with or without context, but you do need to have read the previous books to get a proper handle on the plot.

Once again, the ending clears the way for another instalment. Rhiannon's bloodlust is so infectious that I was desperate for two characters in particular to get their comeuppance, so there are definitely loose ends to be tied up. Long live Rhiannon and roll on book 4!

Dead Head by CJ Skuse
I give this book 4.5 stars
Can a serial killer ever lose their taste for murder?
Since confessing to her bloody murder spree Rhiannon Lewis, the now-notorious Sweetpea killer, has been feeling out-of-sorts.
Having fled the UK on a cruise ship Rhiannon is all at sea. She’s lost her taste for blood but is it really gone for good? Maybe Rhiannon is realising that there’s more to life than death...

Rhiannon is back and she’s bringing us her 3rd diary instalment into her funny and murderous world.A truly likeable and dangerous psychopath, l absolutely love her!
A gruesome,humorous,dark and twisted read,just what l expect from the author and this series.
l devoured this book in 2 sittings,wonderfully written and thoroughly enjoyable.......more please.
With thanks to Netgalley,CJ Skuse and HQ publishers for my opportunity to read and review this book

Let me first point out that I am totally invested in Rhiannon's story. This series could be 70 books long and I would read every single one.

That said I found this book started really strong, and ended really strong but there were times in the middle when I lost focus a bit in the middle, but the ending ... woah. That set me up for book number 4!

The highly anticipated 3rd instalment in the Rhiannon Lewis series did not disappoint.

These books had me hooked from the outset. They are filled with such delightful dark humour and gory murders, Already looking forward to Rhiannon's next adventures.

4.5 stars