It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of the Sweetpea series, & I was worried that this latest instalments wouldn’t live up to the ones before.
But thankfully I was wrong.
As funny, as heart-wrenching, as totally bloody stressful and as addictive as each of the books in the series. We continue to follow Rhiannon - everyone’s favourite serial killer, and she’s got herself in a right mess.

I don’t want to give anything anyway, but I will say that I stayed awake reading until 2am several nights in a row and when I finished the book, I needed a few days to recover. Incredible.

Thank you to Netgalley, and the publisher for this ARC.

I freaking loved this book. It was everything. I hoped it would be, especially after the end of book 4 shattered me. It truly was an amazing conclusion to the series. I love Rhi so much and this ended exactly as I wanted it to end. The only bad thing I have to say is that I’m so so sad that it’s over I wish there was more

Rating: 4.0/5

"The Bad Seeds" marks the fifth and final outing of anti-heroine, Rhiannon Lewis - aka Sweetpea, and thus brings to a close a brilliant series of books that has spawned a sub-genre of strong female characters with a penchant for killing people. The only real downside with the series is that the individual books don't work well as standalones, so you really need to start with book one and read them in sequence.

I have been singing the praises of Rhiannon ever since she first appeared in "Sweetpea" back in 2017. For the unacquainted, Rhiannon, is a serial killer who is something of a cross between Bridget Jones and Villanelle from "Killing Eve". It was like a breath of fresh air, with a fragrance as sweet as the flowers that provide her nickname, when she first came onto the scene. The formula throughout the five-book series has remained pretty consistent: Instead of conventional chapter breaks, you will find a diary style format, with wonderfully acerbic and darkly amusing kill lists - all delivered in fine narrative style by the author, with well-plotted storylines peppered with darkly humorous observations.

Although I will miss Rhiannon, I think it is probably the right decision to call time on the series - wonderful as it has been. I don't know whether C.J. Skuse will move onto something completely different, or perhaps pen a spin-off related to this series, but I am sure that I will be reading it, whatever it turns out to be. In the meantime, I am looking forward to watching the dramatised version of "Sweetpea" that is due to hit the screens on Sky Atlantic very soon.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

Another fantastic fix of the madness that is the world of my favourite serial killer. I feel somewhat ‘wrong’ is even confessing to having a favourite serial killer, albeit a fictional one but still, this is the beauty of sweetpea’s world. She has an enhanced way of observing the little things in the world that go mainly unnoticed to most but which set her twitching due to the injustice of the situation. She uses this heightened sense of what is right and wrong to level the balance, or in other words killing people she feels aren’t worthy of being in the world because they have raped, are paedophiles, mistreat others or animals. The list goes on and she has a very persuasive way of making you empathise with her reasoning and hate to love her. I love her chaotic world of constantly being on the run and looking over her shoulder and her intensity of character. The lists she writes are always, always my favourite part of the books as is the fact I feel like I’m catching up and checking in with and old friend. Worrying hey? This instalment definitely didn’t disappoint and I’m already looking forward to the next one. Keep them coming. Pretty please.

I fell in love with Sweetpea the moment I read book one and through the ups and downs of the following books I was always rooting for Rhiannon. I have read the first 3 books multiple times and I thought this book was the perfecting ending to a series I have been so invested in.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC copy.

Sweetpea is back!!! And after the cliff hanger of the 4th book it's felt like a lifetime's wait.

The 5th and final book sees Rhiannon leaving her new family, happiness and most importantly her husband who is the love of her life ( and in hospital recovering from being shot - see book 4) to flee back to the UK to save her daughter Ivy.

The authorities both side of the ocean are on her tail as well as her old adversary and help and luck are running out. Has her sister set her up to get her back to the UK and if so for what purpose? With the help of Billy and 'The Bad Seeds' fan group will Rhiannon make it and finally find happiness?

Loved, loved, loved this. If, like me, you are a huge Sweetpea fan from the first book, then this will not disappoint. The same dark humour and one liners just at the right moment. It was like meeting back up with an old friend. A massive 5 stars although saddened that this looks like the last we'll be seeing of our favourite serial killer.

***advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
Another storming entry in the Sweetpea series. Not even remotely what I expected from the way the last book ended - and it picks up exactly where it left off. The beauty in these books is that you really have no idea where the plot will take you, but it’s always true to the character. I actually dislike Rhiannon as a character, but these books are a masterclass in writing a truly compelling unlikeable person.
If you’ve enjoyed the previous Sweetpea books then you’ll find a lot to like here as well.

The Bad Seeds starts of exactly where Thorn  In My Side ends (😱) and my god did we need that after the cliff hanger CJ Skuse left us on.
Rhiannon was ON FORM throughout this,with her dark humour and sarcasm.  I couldnt get enough,especially the second half which I read in pretty much two sittings.
I couldnt wait to find out how Rhiannons story was going to end, and I honestly didn’t know what way it was going to go.  As much as I loved it, I'm gutted the series has ended.
Rhiannon was the OG female serial killer, and as many people as she killed, you can't help but love her #KeepHerBurried #ImABadSeed
5⭐️

She’s done it again!! What an amazing read this was. I am so sad it is over but also loved the ending. I have loved each and every book n this series and I don’t usually read many books that have more than one in them as I don’t want to commit to them, but these books are something else!
I will forever be a bad seed so much I kind of want to get a tattoo of it to!
Thank you for the opportunity to have an advance copy of this one. I loved everything about it

RHIANNON IS BACK!!

This is Rhiannon’s final outing.. and boy what an ending for her 😳 we pick up where we left her, with her and Raf planning to go to the UK to save Ivy, but nothing ever goes to plan for a serial killer does it? There’s drama, laughs, unexpected friendships and murder… what more could you want? This was the perfect end for Rhiannon and I can’t wait for Ivy’s story!

The Sweetpea series has been my number one of the year since I read it, they were my first books of 2024 and as a collective they haven’t moved! I love Rhiannon, and I think we can all relate, maybe not as serial killers but in some kinda way! She’s feisty, funny and a killer. These books have plenty of dark humour in them and just make for a great read tbh. I would recommend these to anyone. Cannot wait to see the TV adaptation. 24 stars!

Despite outward appearances to the contrary, things are still going pear-shaped for Rhiannon.

She's having to hightail it back from the States. There are still people after her. And the welcoming committee probably isn't going to be much better.

This series just keeps getting better and funnier

Good grief this was absolutely brilliant! C J Skuse just manages to continually produce fresh storylines that both grip the reader and entertain them. First class.

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.

Overall rating : 5*
Writing skill : 5*
Plot: 5*
Pace: 4*
Characters: 5*
Completion: 4*

She does it again, another 5* installment to one of my favourite ever series. I cannot talk to you about the plot, if you havent read the others it will be a complete spoiler, but I will say its a great progression of the story. There were scenarios I did not expect, but loved them regardless.
This ended in a great way, open to more, but also closed enough for completeness.
I know theres been a flood of female serial killer books over the past few years, but they all stem from this one, and in my opinion they dont touch they sides. Stick with this one and you wont go far wrong!!
Sad to say goodbye to sweetpea, but boy have I enjoyed the ride!

I knew even before I started this book that I would have to give it 5 stars. I had loved Thorn In My Side and was thrilled to be able to read The Bad Seeds. It is a ‘suspend belief and just go with it’ sort of book. The language is disgusting, the killings are over-the-top dreadful, and it is absolutely brilliant! Loved it! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a fabulous early read.

Thanks so much to HQ Stories, Netgalley and C.J. Skuse for inviting me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a little bittersweet for me, as I've been reading the Sweetpea series for a while now. I really wanted to see how it ended, but I didn't actually want it to end.
C.J. Skuse has definitely done justice to the series with the ending.
I thought it was a very fitting end to a truly epic thriller series.

I was super excited to get the email inviting me to read The Bad Seeds. It was my most anticipated read for this year, and it definitely lived up to it.

C.J. Skuse is such a talented writer. She draws you into her stories immediately and doesn't let go. I binged the whole book in one sitting. I couldn't pay attention to anything else until I finished it.

I can't wait to see what C.J. comes up with next. I'll be waiting very impatiently.

I VERY highly recommend.

5 Well deserved stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love CJ Skuse's books, the style of writing and the full of twists storylines with very dark humour. This one didn't disappoint and I am already eagerly awaiting the next one!

I love the character of Rhiannon that CJ Skuse has created! I'm not remotely surprised Sweetpea is getting turned into a TV show and I'll be the first in line to watch it!

Ending directly after the last one in the series we find Rhiannon waiting in hospital for news of Raf's health after he's been shot before ultimately fleeing with his friend Billy to England believing Ivy needs her cells to help fight leukaemia.

This feels like a fitting end to the series although the middle felt a little long. Despite that, CJ's punchy writing has me laughing out loud with almost every page.

Thanks very much to the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of The Bad Seeds.

I was so excited when I received a copy of this from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

What a series! I've loved each book and I'm gutted it's over (please please write a book from Ivy's side). I fly through these books.

The Bad seeds followed on from the cliffhanger left on the previous book (Thorn in my side). It was fast paced and had the usual twists which keeps the reader gripped throughout. I found a slight change in Rhiannon's character throughout this book but saw glimpses of this in the previous book too. Rhiannon has this charm and witt which has the reader rooting for her everytime, strange given she's a serial killer!

This book was written brilliantly by C J Skuse and I found it to be the perfect ending to a fab series.

What a series, I absolutely devoured it . A fantastic read , I thoroughly enjoyed the book . This is so fast paced , funny and dark in equal measures

I am gutted that this series is over but what a ride this final installment was.

The Bad Seeds picked up exactly where Thorn In My Side left off so questions from that torturous cliffhanger were instantly answered and we were off to a dramatic start.

Rhiannon was back with her dry wit and open disdain for pretty much anyone who isn't her. I agree with far too many of her lists and have howled with laughter at some of her comments. "Your prefrontal cortex is being shut down by alcohol. Mine was shut down by a hammer so I'm permanently loose lipped."

I'm finding it hard to write this without squealing about spoilers. There were so many twists and truly unexpected plot points that I was on tenterhools the entire time.

I adore Rhiannon, whatever that says about me, and feel like this ending for her was perfect. I feel like her story has been rounded out exactly as it needed to and exactly how I wanted it to.

I have been a Bad Seed right from the beginning and will continue to force these books on everyone. #KeepHerBuried

CJ Skuse is an auto buy author for me and I am so grateful to have been able to read this. I'm also super excited because I'm mentioned in the acknowledgements.

Thank you to the publisher HQ and Netgalley for inviting me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.