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Darcy Hunt FBI Mystery #1
The Girl in Room 16
Hunted by her past… haunted by her future.
Eighteen years ago, FBI Agent Darcy Hunt’s life changed forever when her little sister was abducted right under her nose—murdered by a crazed guild of misguided zealots.
Now, as she spends her days and nights hunting down the very worst of humanity, Darcy receives an unexpected call directing her to the sleepy small town of Miller’s Grove. Local law enforcement is unable to make sense of a chilling case, one that will prove to be the most complex and baffling of her career.
Small towns harbor big secrets, and as Darcy peels back the layers of Miller Grove’s past, some of the residents start to get nervous. Never one to back down, Darcy must call on every bit of her training and experience as the investigation takes a sharp turn and forces her to confront a harrowing past she thought had finally let her go.
Meanwhile, someone lurks deep in the shadows, watching her, drawing her in closer and closer to the edge of truth that has lain hidden for all these years.
A puzzle slowly emerges, one that has taken years for a sick and twisted mind to carefully conceive, and it is only when a third girl goes missing that Darcy begins to realize that the grim events from her own past might be the only key to stopping an emboldened and fearless monster.
As the calendar pages flip,
Blood on the ground begins to drip.
Don’t wait to experience the lively characters and thrilling twists of The Girl in Room 16. Order your copy now…
Eighteen years ago, FBI Agent Darcy Hunt’s life changed forever when her little sister was abducted right under her nose—murdered by a crazed guild of misguided zealots.
Now, as she spends her days and nights hunting down the very worst of humanity, Darcy receives an unexpected call directing her to the sleepy small town of Miller’s Grove. Local law enforcement is unable to make sense of a chilling case, one that will prove to be the most complex and baffling of her career.
Small towns harbor big secrets, and as Darcy peels back the layers of Miller Grove’s past, some of the residents start to get nervous. Never one to back down, Darcy must call on every bit of her training and experience as the investigation takes a sharp turn and forces her to confront a harrowing past she thought had finally let her go.
Meanwhile, someone lurks deep in the shadows, watching her, drawing her in closer and closer to the edge of truth that has lain hidden for all these years.
A puzzle slowly emerges, one that has taken years for a sick and twisted mind to carefully conceive, and it is only when a third girl goes missing that Darcy begins to realize that the grim events from her own past might be the only key to stopping an emboldened and fearless monster.
As the calendar pages flip,
Blood on the ground begins to drip.
Don’t wait to experience the lively characters and thrilling twists of The Girl in Room 16. Order your copy now…
414 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 2022
2469 people are currently reading
1758 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
October 26, 2022
I was completely disappointed with this story and with, Darcy Hunt, the main character. I read through so much repetition of what Darcy was thinking. It added nothing worthwhile to the story and certainly was one of the things that kept the plot from ever really forming. I also learned at least twenty or more times how "devoted she was to her career" and how she had solved cases that "NO OTHER AGENT COULD" and her personal life...don't even get me started on that. AHHH! We learned that a triangle symbol with the number 16 was left at the first crime scene... but then, nothing is ever revealed why the number 16 was used or was important. I would have thought that that info would have helped, considering the title of the book, which by the way NEVER had a girl or anyone else in a room #16. I also can't believe that Darcy is a "top FBI agent". If that is the FBI's "top" I'd sure had to see their "bottom". I had to laugh and then wanted to stab her with a fork to get her attention when the murderer actually enters a restaurant and delivers food to this "top agent". She stated that she "recognized the killers voice", but then what does she do...or not do? Does she arrest him? No.... Does she call for back up? No ... Does she call for someone to follow him? Nope. She sits like a deer caught in the headlights and does absolutely nothing as the murderer waltzes out on his merry way probably to his next victim. So... after all that, what got it the 2.5 stars? I did love the book cover, the book description, and also the interesting title even if it wasn't ever explained...but that was as far as my appreciation could go for this one.
April 23, 2022
I'm torn in reviewing this book as it's a pretty good book; well written with a plot line that has a few twists. It is pretty vanilla in construction however, with some predictability in some parts. The language Eva Sparks uses is easy to envision her storyline, giving the town, chalet, surrounding landscape and characters depth which some authors lack in their writings. I'm torn in my review though because it is pretty bland as far as stories go.
There was no real moment where I thought to myself that a scene was unexpected. I thought the two chapters coming from the killer's point of view were unnecessary and added nothing to the storyline. It was a break from the first person perspective of the protagonist. And I felt that the accomplice in the murders, while obvious, was an easy reveal.
So overall, a well written story with a vanilla plot and no major hiccups - which is an accomplishment; but, the blandness just permeates the plot and never makes the reader exclaim, "wow."
There was no real moment where I thought to myself that a scene was unexpected. I thought the two chapters coming from the killer's point of view were unnecessary and added nothing to the storyline. It was a break from the first person perspective of the protagonist. And I felt that the accomplice in the murders, while obvious, was an easy reveal.
So overall, a well written story with a vanilla plot and no major hiccups - which is an accomplishment; but, the blandness just permeates the plot and never makes the reader exclaim, "wow."
February 24, 2022
Held My Interest to the End
This story kept my interest with not only the what (main question that all mysteries have), but who, why, and a timeline of actions from past to present. The only reason I gave a rating of only four stars is because whoever proofread this book was not skilled in proofreading. There were more mistakes than I have ever experienced in all the books I have ever read! I am disappointed that Amazon accepted and then recommended it for reading by it's customers! Heads up, Amazon, someone in your book department needs to READ the books before recommending them to your customers!
This story kept my interest with not only the what (main question that all mysteries have), but who, why, and a timeline of actions from past to present. The only reason I gave a rating of only four stars is because whoever proofread this book was not skilled in proofreading. There were more mistakes than I have ever experienced in all the books I have ever read! I am disappointed that Amazon accepted and then recommended it for reading by it's customers! Heads up, Amazon, someone in your book department needs to READ the books before recommending them to your customers!
June 20, 2022
Usually don’t read books like this…. But omg stayed up all night!!!!!!!
December 28, 2022
The Girl In Room16(Darcy Hunt FBI Mystery Suspense Thriller Book 1)
OMG!!!!!!!!! This book was freaking awesome and amazing. I could not put it down. I was totally unsure of who the killer was and I didn't figure out who it was until the very end. I can't wait to read the next book.
OMG!!!!!!!!! This book was freaking awesome and amazing. I could not put it down. I was totally unsure of who the killer was and I didn't figure out who it was until the very end. I can't wait to read the next book.
January 16, 2023
This book was about a FBI agent named Darcy that gets sent to her old home town in NY to assist in helping solve a unique murder that the local pd needs help with. Two of their detectives aren't available and Darcy is the next best thing.
Review: I am a stickler for murder mysteries and suspense. This book fell flat though. It wasn't awful but it wasn't good either. The investigation was severely lacking. Several things didn't make sense. There were several places where something was also repeated throughout the book a few times. It makes the book repetitive. The characters were lacking. Agent Darcy was a screwball. She was negligent in calling for help when she needed it. The chief was too old to really be involved in helping to solve a murder. Chiefs don't get involved anyway other than to commander orders. The book was so unrealistic. One agent to solve a murder? Yea right. It was also a conflict of interest for Darcy. The suspects Darcy came up with didn't even make sense and I seriously laughed out loud. The villian in the book came out of nowhere..like huh? Yea. The book was screwey.
I love murder mysteries and suspense but this one lacked. I don't understand the raving reviews. Did we read the same book? I hate to say it but..I feel like Mary Burton definitely writes a better mystery suspense. Just my opinion.
Review: I am a stickler for murder mysteries and suspense. This book fell flat though. It wasn't awful but it wasn't good either. The investigation was severely lacking. Several things didn't make sense. There were several places where something was also repeated throughout the book a few times. It makes the book repetitive. The characters were lacking. Agent Darcy was a screwball. She was negligent in calling for help when she needed it. The chief was too old to really be involved in helping to solve a murder. Chiefs don't get involved anyway other than to commander orders. The book was so unrealistic. One agent to solve a murder? Yea right. It was also a conflict of interest for Darcy. The suspects Darcy came up with didn't even make sense and I seriously laughed out loud. The villian in the book came out of nowhere..like huh? Yea. The book was screwey.
I love murder mysteries and suspense but this one lacked. I don't understand the raving reviews. Did we read the same book? I hate to say it but..I feel like Mary Burton definitely writes a better mystery suspense. Just my opinion.
April 11, 2025
This book is like reading an extra episode of criminal minds and I’m loving this!! So the twist I kinda predicted but it still didn’t stop my jaw from hitting the ground once I read it! And the bomb the author ends this book with is earth shattering I didn’t see that one for a second!!
January 27, 2024
Well.
While this was a page turner, I don't think I'll be reading anymore of the "Darcy Hunt FBI Mystery" series. Nor will I read another novel by Eva Sparks. Eva Sparks wrote a pretty good story, but unfortunately the writing itself was... you decide.
Exhibit A:
"... four men from the surrounding area committed collective suicide by ingesting suicide capsules. They were all dressed in oversized cult robes and laid down around a large bonfire after swallowing the capsules."
Suicide capsules? Cult robes? What are we doing here, Eva?
While this was a page turner, I don't think I'll be reading anymore of the "Darcy Hunt FBI Mystery" series. Nor will I read another novel by Eva Sparks. Eva Sparks wrote a pretty good story, but unfortunately the writing itself was... you decide.
Exhibit A:
"... four men from the surrounding area committed collective suicide by ingesting suicide capsules. They were all dressed in oversized cult robes and laid down around a large bonfire after swallowing the capsules."
Suicide capsules? Cult robes? What are we doing here, Eva?
June 22, 2025
My complaints about this book are mainly nit picky, so I’ll spare you. The storyline itself is great. Good twists, containing surprises within the twists. A page turner at the start and finish, with a bit of a slow burn in the middle. The ending, I saw that coming. Curious about the next book in the series.
September 17, 2024
Wow
I guessed the bad guy but not the really bad guy. And that e ding shivered me timbers! Honestly. I have to keep reading. Who needs a paycheck anyway.
FBI agent survived a horrible night 9 years ago when she and her sister were abducted and were to be offered as sacrifice. She is the only survivor. Coincidentally, NOT she is assigned to help the same little town find another vicious killer. There is evil stalking her there and,as the case gets more sinister, she finds that the two cases intersect. It is amazing! The ending makes the whole book pop!
I guessed the bad guy but not the really bad guy. And that e ding shivered me timbers! Honestly. I have to keep reading. Who needs a paycheck anyway.
FBI agent survived a horrible night 9 years ago when she and her sister were abducted and were to be offered as sacrifice. She is the only survivor. Coincidentally, NOT she is assigned to help the same little town find another vicious killer. There is evil stalking her there and,as the case gets more sinister, she finds that the two cases intersect. It is amazing! The ending makes the whole book pop!
December 18, 2025
Perfectly paced & thought provoking. Highly recommend the read.
December 10, 2022
The Girl In Room 16
Awesome read. Kept me guess all the way through. What a way to end it, with a cliffhanger for sure. I want to get the next book now so I can see what happens next for Special Agent Hunt.
Awesome read. Kept me guess all the way through. What a way to end it, with a cliffhanger for sure. I want to get the next book now so I can see what happens next for Special Agent Hunt.
October 27, 2024
On one hand, this book did manage to hold my attention throughout so there is something to be said about this author's writing style, but truth be told I'm not even sure if that is a selling point to this novel or not. Because I had A LOT of issues with this one, mainly the glaring plot holes.
On the surface Darcy seems like just the kind of character I would enjoy. She overcame a tragic past to become an FBI agent, using the loss of her sister to push herself to the limits, solving cases that are unsolvable to other agents. Now when she was called back to the town in which her life had been irrevocably changed, I was intrigued. Would she be able to push the memory of what had happened to her and her sister away, or would she let it consume her to the point she lost sight of everything else? I didn't see it as a conflict of interest then because she was the closest FBI agent to that area when the call for assistance from the local police went out, and these killings in no way were similar to what had happened in her past. But as the investigation goes on, it becomes clear that maybe there are some similarities. And now, Darcy is forced to go back through all of the horrors of what happened to her in order to try and catch this killer?
Uh... this would constitute a huge conflict of interest which Darcy should have known and immediately turned the investigation over to someone else. Especially when they figure out that somehow their suspect was able to engineer it so that Darcy herself would be the agent sent to investigate (which still doesn't make sense to me as her supervisor could have just as well seen the location and sent someone else especially since Darcy was on vacation when he called in the first place).
But she didn't. And even when she knew she was missing something, or getting too caught up in her past, she wouldn't even ask for help because she kept telling herself that she couldn't afford wasting time to bring anyone else up to speed. But she could afford wasting time on other things? Like taking walks through the woods, or flirting with men even I could tell were not what they seemed?
With that being said, it really wasn't surprising when Darcy herself became the first glaring plot holes. Yes plot holes, as in plural. You see when someone charming and handsome just happens to show up out of the blue at the place she is staying at (during the middle of a murder investigation let me remind you), and she doesn't question what he tells her, even when the reader could tell from limited information they had that something just wasn't right. She waits entirely too long (in my opinion) to ask about the place she and her sister had been held captive in, even when they had another missing girl on their hands. In fact, she didn't even think to search the place in question when they were searching for where the missing girl might have been taken. It wasn't until much later it dawns on her to say the place should be watched, only to be told the state razed it years ago. Which... since she admitted to having studied the case files (even though she denied it at first, but I blame this entirely on the author forgetting what they had originally said), she should have known? Later on, she all but comes face to face with their suspect for the second time (the first was a plot hole all its own that I will get to in a minute), but when she realizes who it is all of her FBI training flees her and she just freezes, giving him time to get away. Again.
In fact the ease in which this man seems to disappear had me wondering if he was in fact not a man, but a ghost instead considering the way he seemed to be there one minute and gone the next. Case in point, he somehow manages to enter through the locked front door of the Chalet Darcy is staying at during a storm, leave a trail of water to her bedroom, but then vanish? And I do mean vanish as once his footsteps stopped at her bedside, there was nothing else. No footsteps leading back out, and the front door was once again locked (including the deadbolt) just as she had left it.
I think one of the biggest issues for me with this novel comes near the end when they finally know who their killer is, and are racing to save another girl from dying. It is during this scene when two of the most implausible things I have ever read in my life come into play.
I would have been happy had we at least had a satisfying ending after all of that, but when this story ended there was still a major plot-point that had not been resolved at all. Which made me mostly irritated, but a little intrigued as well. I will probably give this series one more chance before I decide if it's worth it to continue on or not.
On the surface Darcy seems like just the kind of character I would enjoy. She overcame a tragic past to become an FBI agent, using the loss of her sister to push herself to the limits, solving cases that are unsolvable to other agents. Now when she was called back to the town in which her life had been irrevocably changed, I was intrigued. Would she be able to push the memory of what had happened to her and her sister away, or would she let it consume her to the point she lost sight of everything else? I didn't see it as a conflict of interest then because she was the closest FBI agent to that area when the call for assistance from the local police went out, and these killings in no way were similar to what had happened in her past. But as the investigation goes on, it becomes clear that maybe there are some similarities. And now, Darcy is forced to go back through all of the horrors of what happened to her in order to try and catch this killer?
Uh... this would constitute a huge conflict of interest which Darcy should have known and immediately turned the investigation over to someone else. Especially when they figure out that somehow their suspect was able to engineer it so that Darcy herself would be the agent sent to investigate (which still doesn't make sense to me as her supervisor could have just as well seen the location and sent someone else especially since Darcy was on vacation when he called in the first place).
But she didn't. And even when she knew she was missing something, or getting too caught up in her past, she wouldn't even ask for help because she kept telling herself that she couldn't afford wasting time to bring anyone else up to speed. But she could afford wasting time on other things? Like taking walks through the woods, or flirting with men even I could tell were not what they seemed?
With that being said, it really wasn't surprising when Darcy herself became the first glaring plot holes. Yes plot holes, as in plural. You see when someone charming and handsome just happens to show up out of the blue at the place she is staying at (during the middle of a murder investigation let me remind you), and she doesn't question what he tells her, even when the reader could tell from limited information they had that something just wasn't right. She waits entirely too long (in my opinion) to ask about the place she and her sister had been held captive in, even when they had another missing girl on their hands. In fact, she didn't even think to search the place in question when they were searching for where the missing girl might have been taken. It wasn't until much later it dawns on her to say the place should be watched, only to be told the state razed it years ago. Which... since she admitted to having studied the case files (even though she denied it at first, but I blame this entirely on the author forgetting what they had originally said), she should have known? Later on, she all but comes face to face with their suspect for the second time (the first was a plot hole all its own that I will get to in a minute), but when she realizes who it is all of her FBI training flees her and she just freezes, giving him time to get away. Again.
In fact the ease in which this man seems to disappear had me wondering if he was in fact not a man, but a ghost instead considering the way he seemed to be there one minute and gone the next. Case in point, he somehow manages to enter through the locked front door of the Chalet Darcy is staying at during a storm, leave a trail of water to her bedroom, but then vanish? And I do mean vanish as once his footsteps stopped at her bedside, there was nothing else. No footsteps leading back out, and the front door was once again locked (including the deadbolt) just as she had left it.
I think one of the biggest issues for me with this novel comes near the end when they finally know who their killer is, and are racing to save another girl from dying. It is during this scene when two of the most implausible things I have ever read in my life come into play.
I would have been happy had we at least had a satisfying ending after all of that, but when this story ended there was still a major plot-point that had not been resolved at all. Which made me mostly irritated, but a little intrigued as well. I will probably give this series one more chance before I decide if it's worth it to continue on or not.
July 5, 2022
The Girl in Room16
This book keeps you on the edge throughout the entire book. SA Darcy Hunt is assigned to help the police of Miller Grove in a case because they are short in personnel at this time. Darcy agrees to go even though Miller Grove is the last place she wants to be. Read to discover what happened to Darcy when she was 10 years old and how it intertwined with this new case. When she wraps up the case, has it come to an end?
This book keeps you on the edge throughout the entire book. SA Darcy Hunt is assigned to help the police of Miller Grove in a case because they are short in personnel at this time. Darcy agrees to go even though Miller Grove is the last place she wants to be. Read to discover what happened to Darcy when she was 10 years old and how it intertwined with this new case. When she wraps up the case, has it come to an end?
February 18, 2022
Awesome read!
The story was well planned out, catch me on my toes, And stayed fast paced all the way through till the end. I was surprised at many points, and I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense and the Amazing talent of the rider. It wasn't just simple Police book thrown together like a lot of them can be. This 1 was well written! I want to see more!
The story was well planned out, catch me on my toes, And stayed fast paced all the way through till the end. I was surprised at many points, and I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense and the Amazing talent of the rider. It wasn't just simple Police book thrown together like a lot of them can be. This 1 was well written! I want to see more!
May 10, 2022
Spellbinding!
A rare story exists that stops me in my tracks and keeps me reading almost non-stop. Author is knowledgeable and clear in her intent. As always with stories like this, the proofreading is not great and leaves errors. Like the letter "A" when "I" would be correct.
A rare story exists that stops me in my tracks and keeps me reading almost non-stop. Author is knowledgeable and clear in her intent. As always with stories like this, the proofreading is not great and leaves errors. Like the letter "A" when "I" would be correct.
July 22, 2025
Four stars for the story/plot but not very impressed with the main character. As an FBI agent I would think she would have been a little more open in sharing to Bancroft, the police chief and not so quick to make promises to strangers. At one point where she should have acted, she just sat there... And she was supposed to be topnotch. Maybe she is when she is not personally involved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
July 14, 2023
**Audiobook Link**
Audible: https://amzn.to/3JXri76
January 13, 2026
I read The Girl in Room 16 via Kindle Unlimited between January 7 and January 11, fitting it in intermittently around work and another book, and found it to be a solid and engaging entry into the crime/murder mystery genre. As someone who gravitates toward female-protagonist crime fiction—and having read all 40 books in the Emma Griffin FBI Mysteries series—the plot structure, narration style, and tone were largely in line with what I expected and typically enjoy.
One of the book’s strengths is its length and overall structure. It provides enough background to understand where Darcy comes from without requiring a full prequel, which keeps the pacing steady while still offering meaningful character context. The story is easy to follow and well organized, making it accessible without feeling overly simplistic.
That said, there is some predictability in the plot. Readers who are looking for a mystery that significantly challenges their crime-solving instincts or subverts familiar genre patterns may find that it misses the mark in that respect. This is not a criticism of the writing or the storyline itself, but rather a reflection of the current landscape—between true crime podcasts and the sheer volume of similarly styled books, it can be easy to anticipate where the story is headed and what the ending will reveal.
I went into the book expecting that level of predictability and still enjoyed it. I was able to follow Darcy’s thought process, anticipate the outcome, and remain engaged because the writing supported the experience rather than detracting from it. Overall, The Girl in Room 16 met my expectations and left me interested in continuing the series. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books and seeing how the character and storylines develop.
One of the book’s strengths is its length and overall structure. It provides enough background to understand where Darcy comes from without requiring a full prequel, which keeps the pacing steady while still offering meaningful character context. The story is easy to follow and well organized, making it accessible without feeling overly simplistic.
That said, there is some predictability in the plot. Readers who are looking for a mystery that significantly challenges their crime-solving instincts or subverts familiar genre patterns may find that it misses the mark in that respect. This is not a criticism of the writing or the storyline itself, but rather a reflection of the current landscape—between true crime podcasts and the sheer volume of similarly styled books, it can be easy to anticipate where the story is headed and what the ending will reveal.
I went into the book expecting that level of predictability and still enjoyed it. I was able to follow Darcy’s thought process, anticipate the outcome, and remain engaged because the writing supported the experience rather than detracting from it. Overall, The Girl in Room 16 met my expectations and left me interested in continuing the series. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books and seeing how the character and storylines develop.
December 26, 2022
Story vs Writing
The concept of this book could be interesting. It does hold several tropes/cliches that aren't original - criminal mastermind, early trauma to the main character which would make it really unlikely that she would be able to be an FBI agent and having a solo agent who puts it all together when no one else would - but we typically accept those tropes when we read mystery stories.
Still, I had two big complaints. First, the writing is very new author-ish where there is too much tell not show and too much explanation to the reader. Both of these things can be overcome as a writer produces more. I hope that Sparks does because there is promise of imagination that just didn't quite get there.
My second issue is that she didn't do enough research on how investigations, the FBI or relationships between the FBI and local LEOs work. Even if Darcy were sent in by herself at first, she would never have stayed that way. The FBI doesn't do single agents. She also wouldn't be sent to the place where her trauma occurred by herself or likely at all because it would have been thought that she was impacted by that trauma.
I gave the story three stars because of potential but I don't think I will likely read more and I really feel it's more like two and a half. I will pretty much read anything so not going on is probably the best indicator of how I feel.
The concept of this book could be interesting. It does hold several tropes/cliches that aren't original - criminal mastermind, early trauma to the main character which would make it really unlikely that she would be able to be an FBI agent and having a solo agent who puts it all together when no one else would - but we typically accept those tropes when we read mystery stories.
Still, I had two big complaints. First, the writing is very new author-ish where there is too much tell not show and too much explanation to the reader. Both of these things can be overcome as a writer produces more. I hope that Sparks does because there is promise of imagination that just didn't quite get there.
My second issue is that she didn't do enough research on how investigations, the FBI or relationships between the FBI and local LEOs work. Even if Darcy were sent in by herself at first, she would never have stayed that way. The FBI doesn't do single agents. She also wouldn't be sent to the place where her trauma occurred by herself or likely at all because it would have been thought that she was impacted by that trauma.
I gave the story three stars because of potential but I don't think I will likely read more and I really feel it's more like two and a half. I will pretty much read anything so not going on is probably the best indicator of how I feel.
June 1, 2025
I finished this book in less than two days so that tells you how much I enjoyed it.
I really do love thriller/murder mystery type novels but I’ve gotten so tired of the dramatic twists and random plot points that have come from my go to thriller writer, Freida McFadden. Now this is no Freida slander, I just got tired of the unpredictability because the twist is utter nonsense.
With this book this twists made sense and seemed realistic. I always knew something was off with Tim and was glad that it wasn’t just me making something out of nothing. I really wish the book went straight into Hess and apparently Lila living together. I get that the author wants you to read the next book but the ending felt a bit bleh.
I do think I’ll read the next book in the series but probably not for some time. I often get tired of the same story lines if I read them one after the other. I liked the main character though. I thought she was smart and strong and even when she had her moments of weakness, they didn’t have some man step up and save the day, they let her rebuild and be a badass.
There are some other people in the story I find quite suspicious but all those “small town crime” books always have like a million hidden secrets. Overall, I enjoy this book and look forward to possibly reading the next one.
I really do love thriller/murder mystery type novels but I’ve gotten so tired of the dramatic twists and random plot points that have come from my go to thriller writer, Freida McFadden. Now this is no Freida slander, I just got tired of the unpredictability because the twist is utter nonsense.
With this book this twists made sense and seemed realistic. I always knew something was off with Tim and was glad that it wasn’t just me making something out of nothing. I really wish the book went straight into Hess and apparently Lila living together. I get that the author wants you to read the next book but the ending felt a bit bleh.
I do think I’ll read the next book in the series but probably not for some time. I often get tired of the same story lines if I read them one after the other. I liked the main character though. I thought she was smart and strong and even when she had her moments of weakness, they didn’t have some man step up and save the day, they let her rebuild and be a badass.
There are some other people in the story I find quite suspicious but all those “small town crime” books always have like a million hidden secrets. Overall, I enjoy this book and look forward to possibly reading the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2023
Almost 20 years ago, Darcy Hunts life was changed because of what happened to her and her sister. Camping out that night with her family, she decided she wanted to take a ride in the woods and show her younger sister a beautiful spot where you can see forever. This was a night that changed Darcy, as her and her sister were kidnapped that night. Her sister was killed before the police found them, but Darcy was alive.
Darcy has lived with always believe she was responsible for her sister's death and now years later, she is an FBI agent solving some of the most difficult cases. She was on vacation with her best friend, when she is called away to help on a case in a town close by. But, is it a coincidence that this is the town that Darcy lived in and where her family and her left behind that terrible night.
Now Darcy is back working on case where girls are missing and along with the Police Chief, she is trying to solve this one, but can it be tied in any way to her kidnapping all those years ago?
You gotta love this one. I read a lot of mysteries and can usually figured out "who done it", but not this one. This one was lots of twists and turns and believe me, I thought everyone was guilty. Can't wait to read the next one!!
Darcy has lived with always believe she was responsible for her sister's death and now years later, she is an FBI agent solving some of the most difficult cases. She was on vacation with her best friend, when she is called away to help on a case in a town close by. But, is it a coincidence that this is the town that Darcy lived in and where her family and her left behind that terrible night.
Now Darcy is back working on case where girls are missing and along with the Police Chief, she is trying to solve this one, but can it be tied in any way to her kidnapping all those years ago?
You gotta love this one. I read a lot of mysteries and can usually figured out "who done it", but not this one. This one was lots of twists and turns and believe me, I thought everyone was guilty. Can't wait to read the next one!!
July 23, 2024
I tried to enjoy this, but I thought the writing was so cliché and repetitive, it drove me crazy. I have some grievances: within the first few pages, she had used acronyms and terms I had never heard before, and did not even try to define them. What's an unsub? And why is she saying it so much? I had to look it up, and it is an FBI term for a "perp", "killer", "bad guy" - but I hate it, I'm sorry. It felt like the author had watched one too many episodes of Criminal Minds and decided to write a book.
Sparks belabors the fact that her main character (Darcy Hunt) works tirelessly and has insane intuition that has apparently helped her solve crimes when no one else could. This directly contrasts with the fact that Hunt misses major red flags, jumps to (usually incorrect) conclusions like crazy, and fails to identify a very obvious suspect. I had my suspicions less than a quarter of the way through the book, so I was bored with the story, repetition and inconsistent narrative (halfway through the book, an italicized "bad guy" cam?).
Sparks belabors the fact that her main character (Darcy Hunt) works tirelessly and has insane intuition that has apparently helped her solve crimes when no one else could. This directly contrasts with the fact that Hunt misses major red flags, jumps to (usually incorrect) conclusions like crazy, and fails to identify a very obvious suspect. I had my suspicions less than a quarter of the way through the book, so I was bored with the story, repetition and inconsistent narrative (halfway through the book, an italicized "bad guy" cam?).
December 17, 2025
4 Stars
The Girl in Room 16 is the first book in the Darcy Hunt FBI Mystery Series by Eva Sparks - and proved to be quite gripping reading. FBI Agent Darcy Hunt is not your typical crime-fiction lead ... she’s layered, haunted by past traumas, and yet still fiercely determined to seek justice. Each book plunges readers into intricate cases involving missing persons, political intrigue, and chilling criminal minds - all while weaving in Darcy’s personal struggles and evolving relationships.
Ms. Sparks’ writing shines with taut and dynamic storytelling that kept me turning pages late into the night, and yet still rich enough with emotion that made me care about the people behind the crimes. The investigative details felt authentic without bogging down the storyline/s, and the twists are clever enough to have kept me guessing.
A binge-worthy FBI thriller series that delivers both heart-pounding suspense and a heroine you’ll want to root for from book one to the latest release.
Happy Reading…
The Girl in Room 16 is the first book in the Darcy Hunt FBI Mystery Series by Eva Sparks - and proved to be quite gripping reading. FBI Agent Darcy Hunt is not your typical crime-fiction lead ... she’s layered, haunted by past traumas, and yet still fiercely determined to seek justice. Each book plunges readers into intricate cases involving missing persons, political intrigue, and chilling criminal minds - all while weaving in Darcy’s personal struggles and evolving relationships.
Ms. Sparks’ writing shines with taut and dynamic storytelling that kept me turning pages late into the night, and yet still rich enough with emotion that made me care about the people behind the crimes. The investigative details felt authentic without bogging down the storyline/s, and the twists are clever enough to have kept me guessing.
A binge-worthy FBI thriller series that delivers both heart-pounding suspense and a heroine you’ll want to root for from book one to the latest release.
Happy Reading…
June 6, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book. I was pulled in to the story immediately.
There were a few things that seemed unbelievable to me such as "Tim" stopping by and when she went outside the cabin during the storm to find the mystery man outside, as well as the restaurant scene when the food was served by the voice behind the murders. Even at the end, it seemed unlikely that SHE would be the agent assigned to this case. I find there are unbelievable parts in many books I read so I just kept reading. Its disappointing but happens so often.
No clue as to what the number 16 written in blook had to do with anything. Of course there is a one line leader into the next installment which I WILL read.
Good detail without getting gory or going overboard with describing locations. I liked the author's writing style, it was easy to follow and understand. I will definitely read more by Eva Sparks!
There were a few things that seemed unbelievable to me such as "Tim" stopping by and when she went outside the cabin during the storm to find the mystery man outside, as well as the restaurant scene when the food was served by the voice behind the murders. Even at the end, it seemed unlikely that SHE would be the agent assigned to this case. I find there are unbelievable parts in many books I read so I just kept reading. Its disappointing but happens so often.
No clue as to what the number 16 written in blook had to do with anything. Of course there is a one line leader into the next installment which I WILL read.
Good detail without getting gory or going overboard with describing locations. I liked the author's writing style, it was easy to follow and understand. I will definitely read more by Eva Sparks!
May 3, 2024
3 stars because this book was kind of a slower mystery. I definitely wouldn’t consider this a thriller, but it was a nice who-done-it type scenario.
I immediately was drawn to this book because I’m a sucker for a good detective/FBI novel. Unfortunately, this wasn’t my favorite LEO book. While I loved the concept of her past coming back to be her reality, I think it could have been executed better.
I think the thrill of the book didn’t really start to take place until the last 5 chapters. I also think there should have been more involvement in the current crime to tie in to the title more. (Marking this as a spoiler for this comment alone- I feel like we barely acknowledged the Girl in room 16… so why name the book that?)
I do think this book would make a really good Netflix series where they can throw in the “Hollywood dramatics” and really spice things up. They could definitely do a season 2 regarding how the book ends… (another spoiler comment, a fairly predictable ending)
I immediately was drawn to this book because I’m a sucker for a good detective/FBI novel. Unfortunately, this wasn’t my favorite LEO book. While I loved the concept of her past coming back to be her reality, I think it could have been executed better.
I think the thrill of the book didn’t really start to take place until the last 5 chapters. I also think there should have been more involvement in the current crime to tie in to the title more. (Marking this as a spoiler for this comment alone- I feel like we barely acknowledged the Girl in room 16… so why name the book that?)
I do think this book would make a really good Netflix series where they can throw in the “Hollywood dramatics” and really spice things up. They could definitely do a season 2 regarding how the book ends… (another spoiler comment, a fairly predictable ending)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2025
Darcy Hunt!
I’m so happy that I found this book and it’s a series, I love that. I have read a few books by Eva Sparks and this one was great. Darcy is a solid, compelling character. I especially like that the author did not make her out to be so terribly damaged by her past so she acted irresponsibly or irrationally. So many female characters are written as so emotionally traumatized by their past that they are driven by their emotions. Darcy is strong, focused and confident. Sure she has been through a nightmare but she’s a professional and has an incredible ability to take in all of the information and analyze it with great clarity and skill. I am looking forward to getting to know her more as hopefully her character development will continue. She also works with a great team and I liked the others in her circle. This was a very good book that I enjoyed reading and recommend for anyone who loves a good mystery thriller.
I’m so happy that I found this book and it’s a series, I love that. I have read a few books by Eva Sparks and this one was great. Darcy is a solid, compelling character. I especially like that the author did not make her out to be so terribly damaged by her past so she acted irresponsibly or irrationally. So many female characters are written as so emotionally traumatized by their past that they are driven by their emotions. Darcy is strong, focused and confident. Sure she has been through a nightmare but she’s a professional and has an incredible ability to take in all of the information and analyze it with great clarity and skill. I am looking forward to getting to know her more as hopefully her character development will continue. She also works with a great team and I liked the others in her circle. This was a very good book that I enjoyed reading and recommend for anyone who loves a good mystery thriller.
May 24, 2024
Gutsy with intricate twists, turns and a few missteps!
Darcy's little ritual at the beginning for the victim was off putting. I thought Darcy and her band were destined to be simplistic Squeaky-Clean-Do-No-Wrong characters. I almost put the book down. I was wrong. Not much further in and I have a clear view of characters like the sheriff, Tim and even the old town gossip. Darcy's character is really still water! I love that she reviews her FBI training frequently, and then methodically makes changes so that her "gut," evidence, and rationale all meet. I loved this book. The action was intense, but not so much that I felt like an adrenaline junkie. Darcy's approach is thoughtful, rational, gutsy with just enough realism to make me feel that I was looking over her shoulder at the evidence as the plot unfolds. Great read!
Darcy's little ritual at the beginning for the victim was off putting. I thought Darcy and her band were destined to be simplistic Squeaky-Clean-Do-No-Wrong characters. I almost put the book down. I was wrong. Not much further in and I have a clear view of characters like the sheriff, Tim and even the old town gossip. Darcy's character is really still water! I love that she reviews her FBI training frequently, and then methodically makes changes so that her "gut," evidence, and rationale all meet. I loved this book. The action was intense, but not so much that I felt like an adrenaline junkie. Darcy's approach is thoughtful, rational, gutsy with just enough realism to make me feel that I was looking over her shoulder at the evidence as the plot unfolds. Great read!
August 15, 2024
I’m sure this author has some natural talent, because the plot held my attention for a while, but I hated the clunky oversharing first person narrator. She illustrates a classic example of an untrained/unedited writer telling and not showing….in way too many words with way too many plot holes.
The characters were flimsy at best with no development or believability. Parts reminded me of the most annoying braggart attributes of Nancy Drew….”my hair is naturally shiny and easy to throw into a ponytail,” or one of the countless times Darcy thinks about her amazing sixth sense or detective talents. Except when a stranger breaks into her house and instead of calling 911 or doing a thorough search, she simply goes to bed.
Sparks switches between narrators and time periods so abruptly and awkwardly that she has to use italics and label the time period.
I’d advise her to hire an editor or take the time to hone her craft so she could get published by someone other than herself.
The characters were flimsy at best with no development or believability. Parts reminded me of the most annoying braggart attributes of Nancy Drew….”my hair is naturally shiny and easy to throw into a ponytail,” or one of the countless times Darcy thinks about her amazing sixth sense or detective talents. Except when a stranger breaks into her house and instead of calling 911 or doing a thorough search, she simply goes to bed.
Sparks switches between narrators and time periods so abruptly and awkwardly that she has to use italics and label the time period.
I’d advise her to hire an editor or take the time to hone her craft so she could get published by someone other than herself.
March 8, 2025
This main character irritated me. The plot was all well and good, the rest of the book was fine, but the main character was supposed to be this really great FBI agent who had caught killers within days of receiving their case files, and sure, she really didn’t take very long in this one, only a week or so it seems (although it feels like way too much was squeezed into a day at times), but this MC was so dumb. She misses giant clues at every turn, she breaks the law a few times (although I guess that’s just an accurate representation of some cops….). I enjoy books with non investigators bumbling their way through an investigation. A supposedly good FBI agent? No way. I can’t suspend that much disbelief. 3.5 because everything else was good. I just hated how dumb this MC was. Rounded down to 3 cuz this is not a 4 star.
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