Dark Masks - Updated Edition

"A Page-Turning Mystery/Thriller with Gritty, Believable Characters and Unexpected Twists." What if the best day of your life becomes your last-and no one cares enough to uncover the truth, except your best friend? Vickie Bartolucci knows Blueberry Hill Home for Troubled Youth isn't a place of second chances-it's where rich families hide the kids they don't want to deal with. Half Korean, half Italian, and all grit, Vickie is tough as nails, raised by a working-class, single mother who taught her to fend for herself in a world that's never made space for someone like her. Fitting in isn't on Vickie's radar, and she never expects to find a friend-until she does. But when three teens vanish and her new best friend dies under suspicious circumstances, Vickie can't ignore the dark secrets lurking in the halls of Blueberry Hill. Armed with nothing but fierce loyalty and street smarts, Vickie bands together with a mismatched group of troubled teens to uncover the truth before they become the next targets. Each of these kids has something that makes them unmanageable in the eyes of adults, but together, they're more than just troubled-they're survivors. And if their parents couldn't handle them, how can they be sure they can survive what's coming next? For Vickie, this isn't just about finding answers-it's about justice. She's determined to honor her friend's memory, even if it means facing dangers that no one sees coming. Because when you're friends with Vickie, it's for life... and sometimes, that's the only thing you've got left. They locked her in, but Vickie's about to turn Blueberry Hill upside down.