The author writes with a vivid awareness of the suffering of innocents. This was hard to get through.

VIEBURY GROVE by Shannon Kirk is the second book in the Method 15/33 series. It has been described as both a psychological thriller and a vigilante justice thriller. To me, the latter category is more apt. The protagonist, Lisa Yyland, has been planning and training for eighteen years to take down human trafficking ring ever since she escaped them. She has help from a former FBI agent and an agent of a clandestine government agency. Will they succeed in eradicating the ring? Will they save the girls? Will they even survive?

The main characters are brave, knowledgeable, hard-working, self-confident and willing to wait years to attain goals. They had distinct voices, flaws, and virtues. The story line is a fresh perspective, but the plot twists were not totally unexpected. Additionally, chapters do switch points of view and move backwards and forwards in time. This made the book seem somewhat choppy to me.

This novel has some important themes running through it including human trafficking, murder, torture, vigilante justice, family protection, depravity, blackmail, kidnapping, power, money, deception and much more. Overall, it is definitely a book worth reading, but it will not be a light and comfortable read.

Thanks to Suspense Publishing and Shannon Kirk for a complimentary ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

Viebury Grove by author Shannon Kirk is a high pace and action-packed thriller and is the sequel to Method 15/33. Lisa Yyland has been plotting and planning for eighteen years to take down a secret club that exploits young women for their malicious sex games. Her mother is shot and killed in front of her and Lisa sees red in her mind. She had escaped from the clutches of the Center Ring and has been left without the ability to feel emotions, but she has vowed to rescue the other girls she left behind. Many of the girls are runaways who have been promised a better life and then find themselves imprisoned and sold for the use of devious sex acts to wealthy clients. Some of the girls live and some may die, but Eminence does not care about their lives. His priority is money and he gains power over the senators, governors, and businessmen who pay to attend the secret meetings. Lisa finds out she has been tagged by Eminence as the next girl to go into his ‘Lobster Tank’. As Lisa puts her plan for vengeance in motion with agents Roger Liu and Lola, the action is non-stop!
“You will cry for me to help you. You will beg me, monster. And the only finger I will lift is to press into your pain.” Lisa Yyland *Strong Language and Violence
Publication Date: May 5, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Fresh off the heels of her success with the incredible novel 'Gretchen', Kirk returns with a thrilling sequel to earlier novel Method 15/33.

Eighteen years have passed since Lisa Yland escaped her captors. Not content with taking down the twisted duo, our asset-loving heroine is out to expose the whole sex-trafficking ring. Despite many years of preparation, an unexpected series of events threaten to derail the whole plan.

Lisa continues to fascinate with her ability to turn certain emotions on and off at will but what's even more entertaining is her McGuyver like ability to use every day items to inflict maximum pain on those who have wronged her. Loveable Liu and his gung-ho 'square' shaped partner Lola are back, supporting Lisa with her plan. Their dynamic is great, like that of a squabbling married couple - they can't live with each other but they cant be without each other!

Now that I've covered our heroes, let's talk about the awesome antagonists. The baddies in here are so iconic - Eva, the tennis racket wielding, pink tracksuited, ask for the manager nightmare and the ominously hooded 'Eminence' - Aren't mysterious people in hoods and capes always that bit more frightening?

Viebury Grove expands the world created in Method 15/33 by moving it from a single building confine to a story involving international travel. This adds to the excitement as the stakes are raised and we never know where the story's going to go next.

The highlights for me were the horrifying 'Lobster tank' and the slow discovery of Lisa's plan, all revealed in a terrific final showdown featuring a number of unexpected twists.

All in all, a strong sequel with plenty of mystery, action and excitement. If you enjoyed the first one then you should definitely check this one out. If you haven't, what are you waiting for?