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Klondike #2

Barely a Spark

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Police Sergeant Jim Sanders has been appointed the Acting Police Chief while his boss takes a vacation in Montana. Jim thinks two weeks will be a breeze, crime isn't a big thing in the small town of Bradford, Pennsylvania.

Was it an accident? Maybe suicide? Or could it have been something more sinister. John Crocker was not a well liked man. He smoked too much, drank too much, and gambled too much. But even he had a family and they deserved to know the truth.

Small town Klondike, up the hill from Bradford, suddenly sees a spike in vandalism. Cabins ransacked, cars trashed - who is responsible? Summer tourist kids or someone more menacing?

Sometimes, two weeks can seem like a year...

[Book two in the Klondike Mystery Series]

276 pages, ebook

First published September 5, 2013

21 people are currently reading
33 people want to read

About the author

D.B. McNicol

34 books77 followers
Donna was destined to be a writer - in the 4th grade she took her toy typewriter and painstakingly typed out the neighborhood news, one copy at a time, and sold it to the neighbors for ten cents. But writing would take a back seat to 30+ years in the IT industry.

A late in life lover of adventure, she learned to ride a motorcycle at age 55, traveled the US solo on her Harley-Davidson at age 58 (42 states and 27k miles), selling her home and everything she owned to become a full-time RVer eventually where she met her current husband. They continued traveling in their 41' fifth wheel trailer (with room for their two motorcycles). In 2012 she decided to give fiction writing a try. Her first book, "Home Again" was a romance, quickly followed by the first two books in her Klondike Mystery series, "Not a Whisper" and "Barely a Spark".

Her latest adventure? Living in Cuenca, Ecuador where she continues her writing.

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
6,726 reviews5 followers
September 8, 2024
Entertaining mystery relationships listening 🎶🔰

This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book two of three

The police chief goes on vacation and the department is busy with a death, a fire,and break ins. With their hard work the cases are solved.

I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of family and friends relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024
Profile Image for David Freas.
Author 3 books33 followers
December 13, 2020
This is a better book than Not A Whisper, the first book in McNichol’s Klondike Mystery series, but I still haven’t sorted out everyone populating this small town in northwest Pennsylvania.

I got caught up early on in the multiple story lines here – heavy vandalism of empty cabins, the unexpected death of a local character, and the arson of an old building. McNichol plays fair with the reader, revealing the clues the all 3 crimes as the police uncover them (or at least not too long after). Although I didn’t pick up on the motive for one of those crimes.

There are also several storylines revolving around the non-crime-oriented life of major characters to flesh them out more completely. One of those story lines had a scene in it that appeared full of menace yet petered out to no big deal. It was the kind of thing that happens in the real world, but mystery readers expect even the most innocent thing to have some ulterior role. The same thing happened in a scene relating to one of the crimes. It wasn’t a case of the potential menace not appearing; it was a case of the truth of the situation being something completely different than what the reader expects. Both left me feeling a touch shortchanged.

One thing struck me as ‘off’ in that first book, but I never looked into it further. This time I did. McKean County does not employ a medical examiner, they elect a coroner. Only Allegheny, Delaware, and Philadelphia Counties have medical examiners.

A mystery left unresolved in the first book is solved (sort of) here via a bit of a twist.

I have the third book in the series in my ‘To Read’ pile and will get to it soon.
169 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2023
I found a new series.

I’m glad I have Kindle Unlimited! After reading a free sample of the Klondike mystery 1, I picked up the 2nd book. The more I read the more I became invested in the story and the characters. Aside from a few word errors (which didn’t distract from the story) this book was well written and flowed through scenes like a movie. Acting Police Chief, Jim Sanders and the deputy force are tasked with investigating a possible accident victim and several vandalisms in the area. For me this isn’t so much a “who done it” story as it is a character connection story.
Profile Image for BJ.
465 reviews5 followers
April 3, 2018
Didn't disappoint!

#2 in McNicol's Klondike mysteries continues the story of small town happenings. Vandalism, a fire, another possible murder? And all while the police chief is out of town? The local "breakfast club" is shaken, but remains strong in their friendships. The romance between Cherie and Jazz continues, with hints of other possible liaisons in the future. I MUST now go on to #3!
Profile Image for Diana.
476 reviews12 followers
June 8, 2018
Book 2 Klondike Mystery series

Second book has new mystery with an explosion, dead body and vandalism. Klondike is a small town on a hill in Pennsylvania mountains.
Cherie is having PTSD from her kidnapping in the first book. Pansy is having chest pains. Janie Crockets husband is found dead. A good mix to keep turning the page until the end.
1,905 reviews18 followers
May 25, 2020
Entertaining!

This mystery starts with the ending of the first book. Pace is quick, involves many of the same characters, concerns their entwined lives,and fallout from first murders. There are some shocking events, another death, and the pursuit for information reveals some unexpected,, emotional answers! Another cliffhanger at the end.
Profile Image for Virginia Shea.
965 reviews4 followers
February 27, 2026
This small-town mystery followed Acting Police Chief Jim Sanders as he juggled multiple crimes (including vandalism, arson, and a suspicious death) in Bradford, Pennsylvania. A few twists felt less impactful than expected, however, the overlapping storylines and steady uncovering of clues kept things engaging!
93 reviews
January 12, 2018
Interesting story with great characterization!

This story kept me interested until the very end! The characters and the town seemed real! Murder, mahem, romance, and mystery all in o e!
Profile Image for L Kate.
1,277 reviews6 followers
January 3, 2020
Good Mystery and Romance

Following on the adventures of book one of the series, this book contains several, old and new, mysteries. It also continues the romance between Jazz and Cherie and introduces a few more.
Profile Image for Emmalynn.
2,974 reviews31 followers
January 16, 2025
Lots of characters with multiple story lines but it all connects. It’s important to read book one because some of the storyline continues from that book. The books are well written and quick reads
Profile Image for Jo Reason.
374 reviews28 followers
October 15, 2013
This is the second book in what seems to be a trilogy, but a little birdie whispered to me that there might be more. If you want a quiet existence then don´t go and live in Klondike, where this books is based as there is plenty going on here.

This is a mixture of genres, mystery, murder and a touch of romance, it all rolls in well together.

This second book starts off right where the first one finishes, there is a little more character development which helps understand more each person and there is enough background information to help you remember what happened in the first book which is great. It is written in the same style as the first book, nice simple easy read with no harsh words.
This is such a lovely book, who would have thought that there is such huge amount of adventure in a small town in the middle of nowhere. And of course there is Kats Klondike Kafe where folks hang out and catch up with all the local gossip with a coffee and some pie, yum.

I enjoyed revisiting the town and it´s people, not sure if I have a favourite character for this second part, they are all so nice, friendly and fun, well except for Parker anyhow, but I guess we can´t all be on our best behaviour all the time. Pansy doesn´t have such a big part in this book.

It is important to read the books in order as otherwise they won´t make much sense.
Highly recommended book, It is very a enjoyable read.
http://dbmcnicol.blogspot.com/
12 reviews
July 9, 2016
Another great book!

I was not able to put this none down! I started reading it this morning and except for letting the dogs in and out, I read it all the way through! The story line changes just enough for me to keep up and not get lost. PTSD is real and it is not all related to war. As this story points out, it can happen to anyone. I recommend this to everyone that like a good mystery.
Profile Image for Crystal.
530 reviews25 followers
July 24, 2020
Fantastic book. Great reading, page turner and just hated to put the book down.
I highly recommend this book. Loved it. Read twice already and will read again. Very intriguing and mysterious.
In some ways this book deals and talks about PTSD. The author even has at the end of the book research materials you can read on PTSD.
Profile Image for Wally Mountz.
73 reviews
July 17, 2017
This book is #2 in a series and continues the story from the first one. Still a good plot line and fun to read. Disclosure: This copy was furnished to me for free by the author. I will watch for the next one when it comes out.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews