Well.. here we are at book 5 and, if you haven't already met Sweetpea, or Rhiannon as she is more formally known, I'd go back and meet her properly in book one and get to know her and how she got to where we find her at this book's opening properly by playing catch-up with the rest of the books.
There's a TV show too but, as I haven't started it yet, I have no idea how good/bad it is or even if it follows the books...
Right so... if you recall, Rhiannon found herself in a bit of a dilemma at the end of the last book. Her daughter needs her, and only her, blood relation and all that. Or it could all be a trick to tempt her back home to face the music, walk in to a trap? She is settled where she is, as Ophelia. And safe. Or actually, possibly not as safe as she could be as someone is about to spill the beans which will open up a world of pain. So it's sht or bust time. But it's her daughter and if there is even the slightest chance of it being true she has to, doesn't she...? And, speaking from a reader's perspective, it's the only choice that makes for an absolutely cracking finale for Sweetpea so yeah, she did the right thing...
Oh and yes, you read me right, this is rumoured to be the last in series. I know boooo and all that, but also it makes sense... You'll see when you finish it.
Anyway... as per what has gone before we follow her as she faces down her sister, gets aided by her fan club The Bad Seeds, teams up with a very unlikely ally, and madness and mayhem definitely ensue. It's high on gore and violence - yay - but also balanced with softer moments. And so very funny in places too. I'm a big fan of observational humour, especially when delivered by someone on the same wavelength as myself, which is definitely what I get from these books. Not always for the faint hearted but hey, if you've got to book 5...! And as always, with a storyline that is definitely larger than life but just short of incredible, and wonderfully brilliant.
So yeah.. if it really is the end, then goodbye to Rhiannon, it's been a blast! I'll miss you. But, on the other hand, her story ending does make me wonder what's next for the author... I think more exciting days are to come...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This is such a great series and I have loved following Rhiannon through the different stages of her life.
I didn’t realise this was the final book in this series (according to Google) and am a bit sad that this is the end.
I really enjoyed this book though and as usual with Rhiannon, things don’t quite go to plan when she heads back to the UK.
This is a great read and there’s some brilliant one liners, as always, from Rhiannon.
I really want to make more comments but it will spoil it all for you, and then I might end up on someone’s list ;)
Thanks to HQ for the opportunity to read this book.

Rhiannon's back - and it seems like everything is finally turning up roses...of course nothing could be that straightforward! Her husband's been shot, her daughter back in the UK is seriously ill, and soon the authorities are right behind my favourite serial killer.

I did enjoy The Bad Seeds but it's not the highlight of the series. The character of Rhiannon kept me engrossed, but the plot and pacing were a bit drawn out. Fun and entertaining.

The 6th and final installment of the Sweetpea series! I enjoyed this book (although didn't feel it was as strong as the others) but sad that it's now come to an end. Without giving any spoilers, this was a satisfactory end to the serial-killer's story. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book.

I've enjoyed all the books in this series and this one is no exception. I love that Rhiannon does have a heart, even if it doesn't quite work like most people's.
If this really is the last in the series, at least we can watch it from the start.

I have loved Sweetpea for years so this book has been on my radar for a while and it lived up to the hype for me. It was such a great read with the progression of Rhiannon's story and life, still dangerously intense with great humour sprinkled throughout, sad that were are at the end but what a great way to end!

I was so excited to read this book and it didn’t disappoint, although I am now gutted to have come to the end of the series!

I absolutely adored the Sweetpea stories and although I am sad it’s the end I am happy with the way CJ Skuse has decided to finish Rhiannon’s story.

This story picks up where the last one finished with serial killer Rhiannon trying to stop her husband Raf from dying after he is hit by bullets meant for her. We quickly see her leave America for the UK to try and help her sick daughter Ivy and she is soon on the run from the police again, this time with a surprising sidekick in tow.

Rhiannon Lewis is such a complex character and I love how the dark humour comes across. For a serial killer she is very likeable!

I don’t want to give anything else away but would highly recommend you read this book (along with the previous four).

I have been obsessed with CJ Skuse for a long time and have read the rest of the series twice. This didn’t disappoint, I love the dark humour that comes with Rhiannon. It’s such a shame that the series has come to an end, I hope CJ Skuse brings us a story all about Ivy, that would be my dream. I enjoyed the one-liners that Rhiannon brings and to see who is on her kill list, some of them crack me up. It’s great to see that with the other books the next one always starts start after the previous one and this continued that streak. If you haven’t read the Sweetpea series, then you need to as you will not be disappointed!

The Bad Seeds by C J Skuse
I give this book 4.5 stars.

Sweetpea is coming home at last…
With a series of bad choices in front of her, and the authorities right behind, Rhiannon's in a hell of a hole and she needs to dig herself out of it pronto. But help can come from the most unlikely places.

This was a bittersweet read for me as I have absolutely loved all 5 of the books in this addictive series. CJ Skuse is a brilliant author and this was a satisfying all be it sad conclusion, I’m now looking forward to consoling myself with the tv adaptation out this month!
These books really need to be read as a series in order, and they may not appeal to everyone.
Rhiannon is my all time favourite and the original twisted,deadly and foul mouthed no.1 female serial She’s back for the final time, coming full circle heading to the UK and her daughter Ivy. Billy and his one leg and her arch nemesis DI Gericault are also along for the ride on her final escapade.Told in the same diary style format with the iconic kill lists we enter into the psychopath we all know and loves murderous world. I can’t recommend this dark but witty series enough and I’m looking forward to where the author takes us next.
With thanks to Netgalley,CJ Skuse and HQ Digital for my chance to read and review this book.

Another brilliant Rhiannon installation! Is this really the last one??!!! I think so, but I also hope not. There's not much to review, I would never not like a book in the SweetPea series and am delighted to hear it is going to become a tv series! If you like this series by CJ Skuse then you won't miss The Bad Seeds, and if you've not read any, then start at the beginning please, and allow yourself to get drawn in to the hilariously dark world of Rhiannon! Enjoy!

The final book in a really great series that I'm sad to see end. Rhiannon is the ultimate female serial killer and I really don't think any one could come close.

We didn't seem anywhere near a resolution when my kindle was showing that the book was 95% done so I found the ending a little bit abrupt. But otherwise another great instalment.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and C.J Skuse for the advanced copy.

Rhiannon Lewis is back for the fifth and final instalment in the Sweetpea series, picking up right where the last book left off. I read Sweetpea about a year after it came out and I was hooked by Rhiannon's dark humour and the hilarious kill lists, and In Bloom hooked me the same way. Since book Dead Head, the series has changed and has a completely different feel, which isn't a negative but it took me some adjusting. Rhiannon starts out unhinged and unhappy, and her kill lists had me laughing out loud in public. Whereas, the Rhiannon in the final book is so mature and yes, she still has a bit of sass, but her tongue isn't as sharp as it used to be (and I miss that), but her priorities are now very different.

Rhiannon makes the decision to leave Raf to recuperate in hospital, to go to her little girl, Ivy, who Rhiannon has been told is critically ill. We see her sister, Seren and Detective Nnedi Géricault again, and Rhiannon's interactions with Nnedi are somewhat unexpected, yet it did play out in a satisfying way. I also loved the mention of the PICSOs again - that always made me chuckle.

I have to suspend disbelief a little bit whenever the Bad Seeds are mentioned, because I don't know if a serial killer would have such a dedicated following in real life...that said, TikTok can do very strange things for a person's reputation, so never say never. The ending feels fitting for the last book in the series, but you can't help but feel that Rhiannon and Raf may not be able to sustain the lifestyle they have chosen. The series has come full circle, giving me similar feels to when I read the first book, and I enjoyed the return to the dark humour.

Sweetpea is coming home at last…

Newly married, with a loving family surrounding her, everything's coming up roses for ex-serial killer Rhiannon Lewis, right?

Wrong.

Her husband has just been shot, and the daughter she left behind in the UK is desperately ill. She’s got no choice but to flee the States and return home, back to her roots, where she’s in danger of being recognised and arrested at any moment.

Only nothing is quite as it seems…

With a series of bad choices in front of her, and the authorities right behind, Rhiannon's in a hell of a hole and she needs to dig herself out of it pronto. But help can come from the most unlikely places. And even more unlikely people…

Just love this author the storyline the characters get excited when see something new by this author xx

I didn't realise this was a whole series and this was the final instalment. I plan to read the whole series and will therefore write my review once I've read the previous four books. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A great end to the series! Can’t wait to see this on TV

Rhiannon Lewis is back! Billed as the fifth and final instalment in the series about everyone's favourite serial killer (yes, she is, and if you even dream otherwise you'll end up on a LIST!) The Bad Seeds is just a joyous ride of brilliant one-liners that had me grinning throughout and, yet again, nodding along vociferously. Oh boy, those lists, I sometimes think they could replace entire scenes but then we'd miss out on some mischievous shenanigans, devious plotting and Rhiannon at full tilt.

I mustn't dwell too much on the plot, although any reader who's up to date with the story so far (and you are, aren't you?) will be delighted too know that it picks up pretty much where volume 4 left off and gets straight in to the action. It's no secret to say that Rhiannon has come full circle, somewhat, and is back in familiar territory, (well, geographically speaking!) so that instantly peaked my curiosity levels - surely best behaviour means a lot of attitude and evil eyes, to the day the least?

Well, if this is truly the finale, what a way to go. If there's more to come, then I say bring it on - a thumping good Seed!

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for this hotly anticipated ARC.

Serial killer Rhiannon Lewis who has no filter but trademark kill lists (agree with the Daisy Daisy Daisy advert!) is back for a fifth and final time and what a tour de force it has been! It's advisable to read the books in order as we're straight in after a cliffhanger with no time for a summary.

We had left Rhiannon in San Diego but planning to fly to Mexico with her husband. Then everything changes, first by the news that her little girl Ivy is critically ill over in the UK and only she can help, and then someone shooting Rafael. She decides that Ivy needs her more so leaves him to recuperate in hospital and flies to London, accompanied by Billy, an Irish ex-army charmer who served with Raf in Afghanistan until his legs got blown off. This means it's a book almost entirely without Raf and he is sorely missed.

Instead we get to see more of her difficult sister Seren and ice maiden Nnedi Géricault, the arch nemesis police officer who has never let go. The developments with the two are jaw-droppingly unexpected and weren't on my Sweetpea bingo card!

As the title suggests, we hear a lot more about the "bad seeds", the international Sweetpea fan club of mostly women, whose horrendous stories are told in their own words throughout the book. I don't know whether a vigilante serial killer would be that revered in real life and people would really protect her from the law but this novel shows that whatever we think of Sweetpea's violence, the problem she is responding to is real and widespread and horrific.

This book is a completely different beast to first book Sweetpea, in which Rhiannon was unhinged, unhappy and killing everyone who just looked at her wrongly. She has come a long way since then and continues to come to terms with her traumatic past and her difficult family who never loved her the way she deserved.

There is tension and heartache aplenty, we get fabulous supporting characters, surprising alliances, piggie Richard E. Grunt, bad men, good men and dogs. This book contains every emotion between love and rage and details how much we need other people around us and being part of a community and having self-worth and trust.

I think we get the perfect ending but we are also reminded of the fact that Rhiannon and Raf's life is not sustainable that way and sooner or later it will catch up with them, no matter how many "bad seeds" look out for them.

Rhiannon has stolen our hearts by not simply being a killing machine but a human being whose life changed when she was six years old and who only ever wanted to be loved and have control over her life. Thank you for the darkly humourous ride, it's been a blast.

4.75 stars

✨Book Review - The Bad Seeds✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I was provided this book free of charge by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (but bought it anyway)*

I can’t believe the Sweetpea series has come to an end! I have been very slow to finish The Bad Seeds because I am 100% in denial that it’s over and don’t want to accept it. Thank you C.J. for creating one of the best series I’ve ever read.

The twists! The character arcs! The character development! The ending! Everything tied with a beautiful, neat little bow at the end! I rewarded myself by getting to read a couple chapters here and there until I got about halfway through and literally could not put the book down. I needed to know what happened next and the suspense was perfect! I adore the character development and friendships that were formed. I have zero desire to spoil this book for you, but know you will find friends in the most unsuspecting of places! C.J. Picks up right where she left off from Thorn in My Side and takes you on a heart pounding race from the U.S., through the UK and Ireland. I didn’t feel at any point that the characters behaved out of character in any way at any point. All of their actions were built up and written in a way that, even with the twists and turns, everything they did was believable. Every character’s intentions were clear and what drove their actions was clear. From moments of insanity, to moments of joy, you could feel the emotion through the page. This is the best Sweetpea novel. If you haven’t read the series yet, that’s a real problem. Get on that because Sweetpea is coming to Sky (UK) and STARZ (US) next month and you don’t want to miss it.

#arc #cjskuse #netgalley #sweatpea #keepherburied #badseed #thebadseeds #thelastpersonwhocalledmesweetpeaendedupdead #gordonramsayclap #done

I am so sad that this series has come to an end! I have been HOOKED on our fav serial offer ever since I read Sweetpea. And what a great finale this was!

After the cliffhanger ending of the last book, to say I was desperate to know what happened next is an undertstament! I should also say that series tend to go down hill for me after 1 and 2, but not this one! I was fully invested, and this didn't disappoint.

As ever, Rhiannon had me howling with laughter. Her dark, dry sense of humour is just something else 😅 You probably won't enjoy these books if you're easily offended, but I'm not and agreed with her lists, 100% 😂

I don't want to spoil this by saying anything that happens, but I honestly thought her time may be up on more than one occasion 🙈 but luck was on her side and I was happy with how it ended.

Thank you C.J Skuse for writing this series. I also put my hand up for Ivy's story please!! 🙋‍♀️

The Bad Seeds is a Sweetpea book, so buckle up, silence your inner Mary Whitehouse (anyone under 50 will probably need to search that name) and enjoy the wild ride.

The books starts seconds after Thorn In My Side concludes, where we were left on a huge cliffhanger. To talk about the plot would be an enormous spoiler for this book, and the series in general, so I’m not going to do it. What I will say is that the book finds our warped, sweary , swearyheroine forming a surprising allegiance, but as this is Rhiannon, expect the unexpected. The lists at the start of each chapter are still going strong, and I can’t agree more on the e ‘Daisy, Daisy, Daisy’ advert.

The Bad Seeds is the fifth, and final book, in the irrepressible Sweetpea series, written by CJ Skuse. This is a book that will be adored by all Rhiannon fans, me included. If you are reading this review, without reading any of the previous books, you must head back to book 1, Sweetpea itself. To enjoy the finale as thoroughly as I did, you need to travel alongside her from the start. This series is absolute Marmite, it really won’t be for everyone, so please read the synopsis before diving in; but I do think every woman, who has taken enough nonsense from the world, will identify with certain elements.

While condoning Sweetpea’s behaviour and methods would be seen as unacceptable, I imagine there are many women, like myself, who understand. Women who have decades of feeling unsafe in certain situations, being leered and pawed at, from their teenage years onwards. Women who maybe wouldn’t publicly declare themselves to be Bad Seeds, but who would appreciate #IStandWithRhiannon the sentiment.

The Bad Seeds is a fitting end to the Sweetpea saga, I loved every page. As the author alludes to in the acknowledgments, maybe we might hear further snippets of our foul mouthed protagonist, if Ivy’s story is told. Personally, I hope that book gets written. Sweetpea, I’m really going to miss you.