Ripple

February 7, 2022
Strange is an apt description of Cosgrove’s debut, a puzzling and disappointing account of an unsolved murder case. Cosgrove, a former Albuquerque Journal feature writer, tosses in unidentified speculative scenes, assistance from a psychic, and his own supernatural encounter in this mishmash that fails to find the truth about the 1982 killing of Kansan Frank McGonigle. Following a family spat, McGonigle took off in his car without a word to anyone. A week later, a man’s body, with bullet wounds in the back of its head, was found in South Carolina, but it wasn’t identified as McGonigle’s until 1991. Cosgrove, whose parents were friends with McGonigle’s parents, decided to use the homicide as the topic for his master’s thesis and as part of his oral storytelling repertoire. He spoke with McGonigle family members, law enforcement, and even someone he suspected of being involved, but gives the most weight to psychic Carol Williams. Her paranormal “evidence” fell on receptive ears, as Cosgrove describes a conversation he had with the dead McGonigle. At one point, Cosgrove throws out the possibility that McGonigle was the victim of an accidental misfire, without reconciling that theory with the location of the two bullet wounds. This is an unsatisfying look at a crime that warrants serious reexamination. Agent: Delia Berrigan, Martin Literary & Media Management.

March 1, 2022
Journalist Cosgrove spent decades researching the murder of ""the boy in the woods,"" also known as Frank McGonigle. Frank's body was found in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, mere days after he left home on a journey of finding himself. His family would try for nine years to uncover the whereabouts of their son and brother. To Cosgrove, Frank was more than just an interesting story subject--Cosgrove's family lived near the McGonigles in Kansas City, and while he was too young to personally know Frank, he knew the family well and his brothers and Frank were close friends. Cosgrove spent many months interviewing members of the McGonigle family and he spent time in Murrells Inlet as well, interviewing the locals and trying to piece together what happened. Cosgrove masterfully weaves together the family's fabric and spends enough time with each of them to capture their individual characters, drawing the reader into their search for Frank. His conversational tone makes this an easy read for all, especially true crime lovers.

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March 1, 2022
Seeking closure, a journalist revives a cold murder case from his hometown. For former Albuquerque Journal reporter Cosgrove, the interest in the 1982 disappearance of Frank McGonigle from his childhood town is both academic and personal. The author's parents were friendly with the McGonigle family when they lived in the same neighborhood in Kansas City; seeking to possibly solve the mystery himself, Cosgrove made the investigation the subject of his master's thesis, which he completed in 1995. The early part of the book, which the author finished after receiving a blessing from Frank's mother, briefly retraces the McGonigle family history: Frank, the sixth of nine children, was independent and "did things differently," and his brothers were his closest friends throughout grade school. As an adult, however, his familial ties became strained with jealousy and bickering. After one particular blowout in 1982, Frank left in a rage and was never seen again. A week later, an unidentified body was discovered 1,200 miles away in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Cosgrove sifts through all the speculation and accusations, which both darkened and muddied the investigation. Culling through interviews with police and recalcitrant family members and dismissing Frank's problems with mental health and frequent use of marijuana and LSD, the author re-creates the most plausible scenario that could explain his death. As the sheriff's investigation fizzled out over the years, the family's hope wavered despite several intuitive members seeing Frank in dreams. Nearly a decade later, the recovered body was finally identified as Frank McGonigle. Cosgrove's text becomes unconventional and self-admittedly "weird" with the addition of supernatural elements, including his own communications with Frank's spirit and his enlistment of an "energy reader" to provide psychic direction or enlightenment. These elements spin the narrative in a decidedly mystical direction, and whether or not readers believe in the efficacy of paranormal intervention in police investigations will determine if the book will fascinate or mystifyingly disappoint. An intriguing yet oddly rendered excavation of an unsolved crime.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

February 1, 2022

With this poignant, deeply personal account, journalist Cosgrove (formerly of the Albuquerque Journal) details his investigation into the disappearance and murder of his friend Frank McGonigle, who left his home in Kansas City, MO, in 1982 and never returned. McGonigle's family waited nine years for news about his whereabouts, until his body was identified in Murrells Inlet, SC. Cosgrove pieces together McGonigle's last days with his large family, considers his possible reasons for leaving, and explores the effects of the man's disappearance and death on his parents and siblings. He also discusses a visit to Murrells Inlet, where he attempted to learn more about the circumstances surrounding McGonigle's death and identify suspects. Finally, Cosgrove returns to Murrells Inlet with his brother and McGonigle's brother to gain closure. Uncertainty, acceptance, and faith are themes throughout, as Cosgrove realizes that he and McGonigle's family will never truly know what happened. VERDICT Cosgrove's heartfelt search will intrigue true crime fans, but those seeking definite answers will want to look elsewhere.--Rebekah Kati

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