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Dark Chains: Mystery Thriller
She swore she’d never go back. Then one of them went missing.
Vickie Bartolucci is sixteen, half-Korean, half-Italian, and one hundred percent done with the past. Or so she thought. With a summer job at 7-Eleven and a hand-me-down 1967 Mustang, she can finally drive herself away from everything that happened at Blueberry Hill Home for Troubled Youth. The bruises may have faded, but the nightmares haven’t.
Then the call someone she survived with at Blueberry Hill last summer is in danger.
Returning to Blueberry Hill means reopening wounds that never healed, confronting the silence in her own family, and facing a place that never really let her go. But Vickie’s not backing down. She’s sharp. Tough. Angry. And she’s bringing all of it with her—along with a few of her friends.
Dark Chains is a raw, suspense-charged reentry in The Vickie Chronicles—a haunting tale of trauma, loyalty, and what happens when the monsters of your past start making collect calls.
Vickie Bartolucci is sixteen, half-Korean, half-Italian, and one hundred percent done with the past. Or so she thought. With a summer job at 7-Eleven and a hand-me-down 1967 Mustang, she can finally drive herself away from everything that happened at Blueberry Hill Home for Troubled Youth. The bruises may have faded, but the nightmares haven’t.
Then the call someone she survived with at Blueberry Hill last summer is in danger.
Returning to Blueberry Hill means reopening wounds that never healed, confronting the silence in her own family, and facing a place that never really let her go. But Vickie’s not backing down. She’s sharp. Tough. Angry. And she’s bringing all of it with her—along with a few of her friends.
Dark Chains is a raw, suspense-charged reentry in The Vickie Chronicles—a haunting tale of trauma, loyalty, and what happens when the monsters of your past start making collect calls.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2025
12 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 3, 2025
Out of all the Vickie Chronicles, this one was my favorite. HUGE thank you to the author I. Savage for sending it to me. These are my comfort books. Reading them, you sometimes feel like a Bartolucci yourself. She's been through it and reminds me of myself as a crazy and wild teen with a Ma who does all she can to be there for you despite her own hardships. I loved the nod to Dark Trials and Geraldine making her appearance! Of course, the clan is all back together in this one. You can't help but love them, even Eagen 😂 I'm glad this one went back to Blueberry Hill and wrapped it up all nice and tight. LOVED the backstory and history that was told. (I cracked up when Vickies Ma was like Gustav looks like cousin Gino to me 😂)I loathed Dr. Hapsburg in the first book and was glad to hear her story and what transpired. Lillian, of course I did not think I would like, but my heart went out to her. Uncle Aldo, man, what a staple in these books. I teared up in the last chapter of the book. Beatrice lord, I hope that woman gets what's coming to her. I really hope this isn't the end of Vickie just yet. I love her fearlessness, her kindness in a roundabout way, her love and determinationfor whats right. If you're looking for a fast, comforting read, The Vickie Chronicles is worth the read!
May 15, 2025
I have read a few books featuring feisty Vickie Bartolucci already. She’s had a rough go at things. She got into a little trouble and ended up at Blueberry Hill Home for Troubled Youth. She actually helped find a missing boy while she was there and solved another old case with the help of her Uncle Aldo who is a cop and tries to look out for her. In Dark Chains, Vickie gets a call about a friend in danger and unfortunately, she has to head back to Blueberry Hill. The story starts with the group disbanding and leaving Blueberry Hill after everything exploded and went crazy. It then takes us back 23 years when Werner was at Blueberry Hill and he had a lab of drugged teenagers he was experimenting on. That sets the tone of the book as we see what his mind holds. Now Vickie and the group have to go back to help one of their own. Secrets are exposed and it gets wild.
May 16, 2025
This is the best of The Vickie Chronicles yet!
There is a bit of everything in this story, from betrayal to love. Really, this one had me turning pages to find out what happens next and the ending is just perfect. We have all the feels in this one, from happiness with being around old friends to terror at being in places they don’t want to be. However, this is a Vickie Chronicle and Vickie being Vickie, when Squirt calls, Vickie feels compelled to help and help she does. There are twists in this story that I did not see coming. Do they solve the mystery? Well, you’ll have to read the story to find that out for yourself. Trust me, you won’t be sorry you did.
I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this story and am voluntarily leaving this review.
There is a bit of everything in this story, from betrayal to love. Really, this one had me turning pages to find out what happens next and the ending is just perfect. We have all the feels in this one, from happiness with being around old friends to terror at being in places they don’t want to be. However, this is a Vickie Chronicle and Vickie being Vickie, when Squirt calls, Vickie feels compelled to help and help she does. There are twists in this story that I did not see coming. Do they solve the mystery? Well, you’ll have to read the story to find that out for yourself. Trust me, you won’t be sorry you did.
I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this story and am voluntarily leaving this review.
May 15, 2025
Dark Chains: Mystery Thriller (The Vickie Chronicles Book 2), my fourth read from author I. Savage, another great, entertaining, enjoyable, and suspenseful read, if you enjoy Brett Monk & McKenna Langford’s writing you’ll like this. “I received a complementary Kindle 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 Masks, a free download excerpt from the end of Dark Chains. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
May 8, 2025
OMG this story was Addictive ! I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t even put it down. And you definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappoint. It was mind blowing of chaos. The series continues it was absolutely amazing with a hit of danger and darkness as the chemistry between them was so unsettling provoking with a since of surprising, and unexpected moments. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my opinion. Trina Jones
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May 7, 2025This was a terrific read. I really enjoyed this book. I read it all the way through. It is a definite page Turner. I would consider a must read. It had amazing characters, great world building and terrific storyline. I have read many books by this author, and the author is a very talented writer. Looking forward to his next book.
May 7, 2025
Vicki ends up back at Blueberry Hill with her friends to rescue one of their gang after a family tragedy but ends up coming up with more questions as secrets from the past vinge to light. With shocking twists around every corner the ending is one you will never see coming!
May 16, 2025
Really recommend this -- for all ages. Do yourself a favor and lose yourself for a while... in great characters, a plot that grips and clips along... It's all in all charming as hell.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews