25 February 2025

The Bad Seeds is a thrilling and darkly entertaining conclusion to Rhiannon Lewis’s saga, proving that no matter how far you run, your past always catches up with you. With her signature blend of biting humour, brutal honesty, and chaos, Skuse delivers another gripping ride through the mind of the infamous Sweetpea Killer.

Rhiannon should finally have it all—she’s married, she has a family, and she’s supposedly left her murderous ways behind. But reality is far less idyllic. With her husband shot and her estranged daughter critically ill back in the UK, Rhiannon is forced to return home, where recognition and arrest could be just around the corner. On top of that, nothing is quite as it seems, and her past is far from buried.

As always, Skuse excels at crafting a protagonist who is equal parts monstrous and relatable. Rhiannon’s internal conflict—her struggle between wanting to be good and her natural inclination toward violence—adds depth to her character, making her one of the most compelling antiheroines in modern fiction. The tension in The Bad Seeds is unmistakable, as every decision Rhiannon makes could be the one that leads to her downfall. Yet, she still finds unexpected allies in the most unlikely places, proving that even the worst people can find redemption—or at least, survival.

The pacing is relentless, and the stakes are higher than ever. Readers who have followed Rhiannon’s journey from Sweetpea to Thorn in My Side will find this instalment a satisfying and fitting end to her story. It’s dark, funny, and utterly addictive—a perfect send-off for one of crime fiction’s most unforgettable characters.

For fans of Skuse’s unique blend of humour and horror, The Bad Seeds is a must-read. It’s a chaotic, blood-soaked farewell to Rhiannon Lewis, reminding us that even when you think you’re out, life—or death—always has other plans.