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Dark Fences
One wrong move inside juvenile hall could cost Vickie Bartolucci everything. She plans to do the time, keep her mouth shut, and disappear into the background.
But when a young boy named Ollie vanishes, leaving behind the medication he needs to survive, Vickie is the only one who seems to care.
Breaking her vow to stay under the radar, Vickie relies on her street smarts to search for Ollie. But as she digs deeper into his mysterious disappearance, the line between right and wrong begins to blur, forcing her to decide how many rules she’s willing to break, curfews she’s ready to ignore, and risks she’s prepared to take to uncover the truth about what happened to Ollie.
Dark Fences is a gripping, unputdownable mystery packed with pulse-pounding suspense and unexpected twists. And Vickie Bartolucci is a heroine you won’t forget.
If you love the page-turning thrillers by Harlan Coben and Karin Slaughter, you’ll be obsessed with Dark Fences.
But when a young boy named Ollie vanishes, leaving behind the medication he needs to survive, Vickie is the only one who seems to care.
Breaking her vow to stay under the radar, Vickie relies on her street smarts to search for Ollie. But as she digs deeper into his mysterious disappearance, the line between right and wrong begins to blur, forcing her to decide how many rules she’s willing to break, curfews she’s ready to ignore, and risks she’s prepared to take to uncover the truth about what happened to Ollie.
Dark Fences is a gripping, unputdownable mystery packed with pulse-pounding suspense and unexpected twists. And Vickie Bartolucci is a heroine you won’t forget.
If you love the page-turning thrillers by Harlan Coben and Karin Slaughter, you’ll be obsessed with Dark Fences.
- GenresMystery
Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2024
10 people are currently reading
1851 people want to read
About the author
I. Savage
5 books28 followersBorn in small-town North Carolina, I. Savage is a bestselling author, NYC producer and is known for crafting twist-filled mysteries that dive deep into the complexities of human relationships.
With a MA in Psychology and extensive counseling work with teenagers and adults, Savage brings a unique lens to his writing, capturing the raw, layered motivations and emotions that drive his unforgettable characters.
His expertise in reading people inspired years of thesis research into body language, facial expressions, and the hidden truths they reveal, fueling his gripping, page-turning tales.
Savage’s characters, like the tough and fiercely loyal Vickie Bartolucci, navigate moral gray areas and emotional minefields, reflecting the authenticity of real-life struggles.
Finding humor in dark places, Savage’s stories are more than mysteries—they’re explorations of resilience, loyalty, and the unexpected bonds that form in life’s challenging moments.
He lives in the Big Apple, a city that embodies his big beliefs in found family and the power of community.
His work appeals to readers who crave intelligent, character-driven mysteries with heart, where the surprises are earned and the emotional stakes are real.
With a MA in Psychology and extensive counseling work with teenagers and adults, Savage brings a unique lens to his writing, capturing the raw, layered motivations and emotions that drive his unforgettable characters.
His expertise in reading people inspired years of thesis research into body language, facial expressions, and the hidden truths they reveal, fueling his gripping, page-turning tales.
Savage’s characters, like the tough and fiercely loyal Vickie Bartolucci, navigate moral gray areas and emotional minefields, reflecting the authenticity of real-life struggles.
Finding humor in dark places, Savage’s stories are more than mysteries—they’re explorations of resilience, loyalty, and the unexpected bonds that form in life’s challenging moments.
He lives in the Big Apple, a city that embodies his big beliefs in found family and the power of community.
His work appeals to readers who crave intelligent, character-driven mysteries with heart, where the surprises are earned and the emotional stakes are real.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 9, 2024
She will be accused of a crime she di not commit but the judge only sees her past bad behavior. She will be sent away and she finds things inside is not normal especially when a boy disappears. Can her uncle help prove she is innocent? Can she find the boy? How will she get on? See if she will find the boy and her saves her
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
July 2, 2024
Vickie sets out to apply for a job. She sees her old neighbor with his dog hanging missing posters. Vickie introduces herself and finds out it's Pop Pop's grandson Hugo gone for many years. He still has Hugo's dog Candy with him.
I loved Vickie and Uncle Aldo's vibe together. A teen gets into trouble several times and her Uncle Aldo (police) does everything he can to keep her out of the system. Vickie is lucky the first two times for shoplifting which she was guilty but the third time even with her Uncle's help ends up in juvie. She was set up by two girls that engaged her while applying for a job in a high end department store. Theft of a high end necklace.
Vickie is sent to juvie and her Uncle visits the first day in. Her Uncle is there on another matter of a missing boy Ollie. Vickie is soon approached by a bit of crazy girl named Denia and notices the bruises on her arms.
Denia has become glued to Vickie's side. Unavoidable. She tries to follow her Uncle's advise of keep your head down and stay out of trouble.
Vickie is observant, she gets the lowdown from Denia about Oliver (Ollie) and Big Leonard are friends .Both had separated food for a stray prison dog.
Uncle Aldo gives Vickie a note pad and pen to write down anything she hears. She gives Uncle Aldo the notes.
Vickie has problems with Officer Wringle. He takes her notebook but she gets the notes into her pocket before he sees. Vickie is threatened by Wringle.
So many more fast page turning events come about but no spoilers here. The end is amazing and this is my first time reading I. Savage. I will actually read everything offered it's that great.
I loved Vickie and Uncle Aldo's vibe together. A teen gets into trouble several times and her Uncle Aldo (police) does everything he can to keep her out of the system. Vickie is lucky the first two times for shoplifting which she was guilty but the third time even with her Uncle's help ends up in juvie. She was set up by two girls that engaged her while applying for a job in a high end department store. Theft of a high end necklace.
Vickie is sent to juvie and her Uncle visits the first day in. Her Uncle is there on another matter of a missing boy Ollie. Vickie is soon approached by a bit of crazy girl named Denia and notices the bruises on her arms.
Denia has become glued to Vickie's side. Unavoidable. She tries to follow her Uncle's advise of keep your head down and stay out of trouble.
Vickie is observant, she gets the lowdown from Denia about Oliver (Ollie) and Big Leonard are friends .Both had separated food for a stray prison dog.
Uncle Aldo gives Vickie a note pad and pen to write down anything she hears. She gives Uncle Aldo the notes.
Vickie has problems with Officer Wringle. He takes her notebook but she gets the notes into her pocket before he sees. Vickie is threatened by Wringle.
So many more fast page turning events come about but no spoilers here. The end is amazing and this is my first time reading I. Savage. I will actually read everything offered it's that great.
July 3, 2024
Dark Fences by I. Savage is a riveting read told through the eyes of fifteen-year-old Vickie Bartolucci, an unforgettable character with a mixture of grit, spunk, and smarts. This gripping novel seamlessly intertwines themes of rebellion, justice, and survival in the most harrowing of circumstances.
Accused of a crime she didn't commit, Vickie is thrust into juvie, where the demarcation between justice and corruption isn’t clear at all. The author brilliantly captures the harsh realities of the juvenile justice system and the struggle of a young girl determined to prove her innocence.
The dynamic between Vickie and her uncle, a steadfast police officer who bends the rules for the sake of justice, adds depth to the narrative. Their bond is a beacon of hope amid the deceit that plagues the detention center. They work together to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of young Ollie, whose life hangs in the balance without his medication.
Savage excels at creating a tense, suspenseful atmosphere and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The portrayal of the corrupt warden and the inmates, who each seem to have a few secrets of their own, adds layers of intrigue and complexity to the story.
Dark Fences is an excellent thriller, but it’s also a powerful commentary on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of injustice. It's a story about fighting for what is right. This novella is a must-read for anyone who loves a well-crafted, emotionally charged story written by a talented writer. I will definitely be reading more by I. Savage.
Accused of a crime she didn't commit, Vickie is thrust into juvie, where the demarcation between justice and corruption isn’t clear at all. The author brilliantly captures the harsh realities of the juvenile justice system and the struggle of a young girl determined to prove her innocence.
The dynamic between Vickie and her uncle, a steadfast police officer who bends the rules for the sake of justice, adds depth to the narrative. Their bond is a beacon of hope amid the deceit that plagues the detention center. They work together to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of young Ollie, whose life hangs in the balance without his medication.
Savage excels at creating a tense, suspenseful atmosphere and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The portrayal of the corrupt warden and the inmates, who each seem to have a few secrets of their own, adds layers of intrigue and complexity to the story.
Dark Fences is an excellent thriller, but it’s also a powerful commentary on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of injustice. It's a story about fighting for what is right. This novella is a must-read for anyone who loves a well-crafted, emotionally charged story written by a talented writer. I will definitely be reading more by I. Savage.
July 27, 2024
The book starts out with a missing 4-year-old who was kidnapped from the street. I wasn’t sure how this had anything to do with the story but it does later. The main story is about 15-year-old Vickie Bartolucci who has had a tough time growing up. She’s Italian-Korean and has to stand up for herself. She gets in a little teenager trouble and Uncle Aldo (police officer) has been there to help as much as he can when she goes before the judge for petty crimes. He gets her off but then she is set-up for shoplifting by some girls in a shop and her luck has run out. Off to juvie it is. This is where the story takes place. She finds some things wrong there, namely a missing young boy, Ollie and a power hungry Officer Wringle who is not nice to the kids. Long story short, Vickie sets out to help find Ollie. Uncle Aldo has been assigned the case so he is in and out of the facility where she can pass him some notes on things she discovered. I won’t say more so I don’t give away anything. I enjoyed the book. It wasn’t very long. It is a prequel novella. I liked Vickie. I can see she is tough because of life circumstances. I like her relationship with Uncle Aldo. He seems to really care, and she looks up to him. I can see him shaping her as she grows. I look forward to the next book of Vickie’s story. I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my honest review.
July 14, 2024
I was sent a free book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
The main character of our novella is Vickie Bartolucci.
Vickie is a rough around the edges teenager from Queens, who has a couple of strikes against her for previous attempts at petty theft.
Her Uncle Aldo, a police officer, convinces the judge to give her one last chance and Vickie tries her best to be better, even going so far as applying for jobs at local businesses.
While at a small department store on a job search, Vickie gets wrongly accused of shoplifting & as a result gets carted off to juvenile hall.
Once at juvie, Vickie soon discovers the head guard, Officer Wringle is a bully & petty thief, and the warden is more concerned with her personal appearance and perks like trips than actually running the facility.
Dark Fences is full of mystery & questions and suspense and will keep you entertained to the very end.
The main character of our novella is Vickie Bartolucci.
Vickie is a rough around the edges teenager from Queens, who has a couple of strikes against her for previous attempts at petty theft.
Her Uncle Aldo, a police officer, convinces the judge to give her one last chance and Vickie tries her best to be better, even going so far as applying for jobs at local businesses.
While at a small department store on a job search, Vickie gets wrongly accused of shoplifting & as a result gets carted off to juvenile hall.
Once at juvie, Vickie soon discovers the head guard, Officer Wringle is a bully & petty thief, and the warden is more concerned with her personal appearance and perks like trips than actually running the facility.
Dark Fences is full of mystery & questions and suspense and will keep you entertained to the very end.
September 16, 2024
Dark Fences: A Page-Turning Mystery Thriller with Unexpected Twists (The Vickie Chronicles), my second read from author I. Savage. I'm not sure of the proper reading order for The Vickie Chronicles, no matter, so far they're all good reads. An entertaining, enjoyable, and suspenseful read, if you enjoyed Brett Monk & McKenna Langford’s writing you’ll like this. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I'll definitely be reading more from this author and in this series. Next up Dark Trials: A Page-Turning Mystery-Thriller (The Vickie Chronicles) when it’s published next month. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
November 16, 2024
Misunderstood and in an unfriendly place, Vickie was almost lost. I loved Dark Fences and I'm excited to read the next book in The Vickie Chronicles. Vickie reminded me of myself in a way, an awkward newly teen way. I wanted so bad to fit in and just seemed to be stuck on the edge. Vickie was wise in ways and more grown up than people thought she was. Her sarcasm a defence and she could be defensive and sarcastic even to authority. Her uncle Aldo was a great mentor and getting her a notebook and pen to keep tabs for him, she became his spy in a very bad situation.
I hope you enjoy reading this book from a new, to me, Author as much as I enjoyed it.
I hope you enjoy reading this book from a new, to me, Author as much as I enjoyed it.
July 22, 2024
Great Prequel to The Vickie Chronicles Series!
Sadly, I read the first book in the series before the prequel. It didn’t really make a difference. I was able to follow both stories without any problems. In this story, we get to meet Vickie from Queens. The author’s writing style fits this type of thriller perfectly and kept me turning pages. There’s danger and fear and abuse, but in spite of that, Vickie grows as a person. This is a really good story and I highly recommend this series to all lovers of thrillers.
Sadly, I read the first book in the series before the prequel. It didn’t really make a difference. I was able to follow both stories without any problems. In this story, we get to meet Vickie from Queens. The author’s writing style fits this type of thriller perfectly and kept me turning pages. There’s danger and fear and abuse, but in spite of that, Vickie grows as a person. This is a really good story and I highly recommend this series to all lovers of thrillers.
June 27, 2024
What a fun suspenseful novella to the Vicki Chronicles. This book gave me a bit of similar vibes to AGGGTM & Nancy Drew, so I loved that. If you loved those series you’ll love this one too! Vicki is strong willed with a witty personality but there is a soft spot inside of her. Can’t wait to see what mysteries she solves next.
August 20, 2025
Received this book from the author through Book Funnel.
Good character description and mostly believable story line.
still, I read it like I was wading through water. it was a slow go for me.
I'm not even sure why that was the case, as the story was fine. perhaps it was just my mood at the time.
Good character description and mostly believable story line.
still, I read it like I was wading through water. it was a slow go for me.
I'm not even sure why that was the case, as the story was fine. perhaps it was just my mood at the time.
June 28, 2024
Devoured in one sitting! Vicki is snarky and witty and takes no crap! I was grabbed from the beginning of this book. Highly recommend!
November 15, 2024
Won in a giveaway. Great read. Fast paced, keeps you interested. Looking forward to next one!
November 16, 2024
Great book! I loved Vickie's character and I can't wait to read more!
September 16, 2024
I chose this story in another authors promo.
Vickie is a handful who ends up in Juvie. Her Uncle is her friend and mentor who advises her to keep herself in the background and she'll be set free. But Vickie is motivated to do good, but on her own terms. Fast paced, easy to read, and fun characters.
Vickie is a handful who ends up in Juvie. Her Uncle is her friend and mentor who advises her to keep herself in the background and she'll be set free. But Vickie is motivated to do good, but on her own terms. Fast paced, easy to read, and fun characters.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews