If only they knew the real truth. It should be my face on those front pages. My headlines. I did those things, not him. I just want to stand on that doorstep and scream IT WAS ME. ME. ME. ME. ME! Rhiannon Lewis has successfully fooled the world and framed her cheating fiancé Craig for the depraved and bloody killing spree she committed. She should be ecstatic that she’s free. Except for one small problem. She’s pregnant with her ex-lover’s child. The ex-lover she only recently chopped up and buried in her in-laws garden. And as much as Rhiannon wants to continue making her way through her kill lists, a small voice inside is trying to make her stop. But can a killer’s urges ever really be curbed?
Official Summary
13 February 2025
I reviewed Sweetpea last year and I may have been a little critical with my review. Since then, I have watched the TV series (the book is much better) and I have decided to read the next book in the series. And am I glad I did? If you’ve read Sweetpea, you must read In Bloom – the second book is brilliant.
Rhiannon Lewis is back, and she’s as unhinged as ever. In Bloom, the sequel to Sweetpea plunges us once again into the disturbingly entertaining mind of one of the most twisted, darkly humorous protagonists I’ve ever encountered. If you thought Rhiannon’s story couldn’t get any wilder after the events of Sweetpea, think again.
Having successfully framed her cheating fiancé Craig for her bloody killing spree, Rhiannon should be celebrating her freedom. Instead, she’s struggling with a rather unexpected complication—pregnancy. And not just any pregnancy, but one that connects her to an ex-lover she recently dismembered and buried in her in-laws’ garden. Talk about baggage! But as much as she relishes working through her infamous kill list, something inside her is shifting. Motherhood is forcing her to confront her actions in a way she never has before. The question remains—can a serial killer really suppress her urges, or is it only a matter of time before the blood starts flowing again?
C.J. Skuse blends dark humour with shockingly gruesome moments, creating a reading experience that is both horrifying and laugh-out-loud funny. Rhiannon’s inner monologue is sharp, sarcastic, and unapologetically brutal. She’s the kind of character who should be utterly repellent, yet somehow, you can’t help but root for her. Skuse also delves deeper into Rhiannon’s psyche in this instalment, adding layers of complexity to her character that makes her more than just a killing machine.
What I liked about In Bloom is how it balances the grotesque with the mundane realities of life. Rhiannon’s struggles with pregnancy symptoms, doctor visits, and impending motherhood contrast starkly with her casual approach to murder. This combination makes the book all the more fascinating—how does someone so detached from morality navigate something as inherently human as bringing a child into the world?
If you enjoyed Sweetpea, you’ll find In Bloom just as addictive, if not more. It’s violent, darkly hilarious, and brimming with tension. The narrative keeps you on edge, making you wonder if Rhiannon will truly change—or if her inner monster will emerge stronger than ever.
A wickedly sharp and utterly gripping read, In Bloom, showcases C.J. Skuse’s mastery of dark comedy. Not for the faint of heart, but definitely for those who love their thrillers laced with pitch-black humour and an antihero you can’t look away from.
Also by C.J. Skuse
SWEETPEA
The last person who called me ‘Sweetpea’ ended up dead… Rhiannon is your average girl next door, settled with her boyfriend and little dog…but she’s got a killer secret. By day her job as an editorial assistant is demeaning and unsatisfying. By evening she dutifully listens to her friend’s plans for marriage and babies whilst secretly making a list. A kill list. From the man on the checkout who always mishandles her apples, to the driver who cuts her off on her way to work, to the people who have got it coming, Rhiannon’s ready to get her revenge. Because the girl everyone overlooks might be able to get away with murder…
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
C.J. SKUSE is the author of the Young Adult novels PRETTY BAD THINGS, ROCKOHOLIC and DEAD ROMANTIC (Chicken House), MONSTER and THE DEVIANTS (Mira Ink). She was born in 1980 in Weston-super-Mare, England. She has First Class degrees in Creative Writing and Writing for Children and, aside from writing novels lectures in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University. C.J. is currently working on adult novel SWEETPEA for HQ/HarperCollins (out April 2017).
C.J. loves Masterchef, Gummy Bears and murder sites. She hates carnivals, hard-boiled eggs and coughing. The movies Titanic, My Best Friend’s Wedding and Ruby Sparks were all probably based on her ideas; she just didn’t get to write them down in time. Before she dies, she would like to go to Japan, try clay-pigeon shooting and have Ryan Gosling present her with the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. Have you read all the books in the series? I loved the baby in this one and cannot wait to read the next book – Dead Head. While the TV series is good, there is no question that the book is better. Leave a comment below sharing your thoughts on this series. Do the books keep getting better? Until next time, happy reading!
