TWO STARSI live for passages like this: I haven’t killed anyone for three years and I thought that when it happened again I’d feel bad. Like an alcoholic taking a sip of whisky. But no. Nothing. I had a blissful night’s sleep. Didn’t wake up at all. And for once, no bad dream either. This morning I feel balanced. Almost sane, for once. Isn't that an intriguing, must-read-this-book-now passage? Author CJ Skuse didn’t just write about a sociopathic chick. She became that chick and narrated Sweet Pea from her messed up head space. I’m torn. Normally, I LOVE unlikable and unreliable narrators, ESPECIALLY sociopathic ones! I wanted to love this one, too. I’ve now discovered that my heart is not as coal-black as I thought. Sweet Pea took me to new, dark depths and I must admit I didn’t enjoy the experience. Sweet Pea is a young woman that survived a horrific childhood experience. As an adult, she is a monstrous human malfunction, harboring murderous thoughts towards almost everyone in her life. The face she shows to the world is different, of course. She goes to work, maintains a relationship with her live-in boyfriend and loves her little chihuahua. Behind the facade, Sweet Pea just wants to kill. Watch out and stay out of her way. The major disconnect I experienced with Sweet Pea is simply due to my ignorant Americanism. Usually I dig everything Anglo. However, in Sweet Pea, almost the entire story is written in British slang, complete with references to Brit pop culture and nasty Brit curse words that I'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE. There are British “inside jokes” that I could never figure out! That’s not fun. I feel left out. (insert sad face)The other complaints I have are small, but many. The novel is extremely violent and graphic –UP CLOSE/FIRST PERSON murders that involve a lot of cutting and the words “body parts”….No, thank you. On top of the violence, add the undercurrent of prejudice displayed in the story that really irritated me. Also, there is a skanky “erotica” feel to the novel.Most of the book is filled up with Sweet Pea’s kill lists. She creates a constantly evolving list of people who pissed her off that day or sex offenders that she wants to rid the world of. Sometimes, it is funny, but it is a repetitive device in the novel and I started just skimming the kill lists, since they rarely added anything to the plot.Sweetpea was not for me. If you take You, Best Day Ever, Jane Doe, In the Vines combine and multiply by 100---you will have an idea what to expect in Sweetpea!Thanks to the publisher/Edelweiss for allowing me to read and honestly review!