Oh Rhiannon Lewis, I love you! Book 3 featuring this sassy, crude serial killer who really does have a heart is once again amazing. I highly recommend reading Sweet Pea and In Bloom before Dead Head to truly appreciate this character and her story.

Rhiannon is on the run. She has confessed, given up her baby and I Ian now on a European cruise! I laughed so much reading her adventures on board, trying not to be noticed. It is a dark humour, that will shock you and it is so good. She is feeling a bit out of sorts now that she has to be on her best behaviour and not kill anybody, as much as she might want to. Can a serial killer change? An she find happiness and a new life? You will have to read Dead Head to find out.

Thanks to HQ and and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.

Dead Head, the third book in CJ Skuse’s Sweetpea series featuring serial killer Rhiannon Lewis, absolutely did not disappoint. Rhiannon has now confessed to her crimes and fled the country on a cruise ship, trying to hide in plain sight, Can she evade the police, make a new life for herself and even perhaps find love?

A thoroughly enjoyable addition to the series, with plenty of gore, plenty of heartfelt emotion and plenty of laughs. Rhiannon must be the most relatable and funny serial killer out there. I’m not sure how well the novel would work as a stand-alone, there’s just so much backstory in the first two books, so readers are advised to devour Sweetpea and In Bloom before diving into this one.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. I've said it before, but Rhiannon really is my absolute favourite fictional character. Well, at least I HOPE she is fictional :)

This latest instalment in the Sweetpea series is just as fantastic as the previous two books. Unsurprisingly after events in the last book tough cookie Rhiannon has gone a little bit squidgy at the beginning of this new story.  There is still plenty of dark humour, mainly in the first half then things take a much darker turn and the book becomes a full-blown knicker-gripping thriller. I loved it, even though my nerves were wrecked by the end, and I cannot wait for the next instalment.

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.

🔥🔥🔥🔥

his is the third book in the series. I did enjoy this book but Sweetpea is still my favourite in the series.

The book is written well and is fast paced and a page turner. The ending makes me think that there will be a fourth book in the series. I just wonder whether the series has run its course now.

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.