After 26 years of research, revisions, twists, turns, dead ends, deadheads, and psychic visions, this captivating, unsolved murder mystery about a lost Grateful Dead fan is now a book. Ripple published on April 5, 2022, coinciding with the 40th anniversary year of the disappearance of Frank McGonigle, who left his Kansas City home in 1982 and never returned. His large Irish-Catholic family searched nine years for him, only to learn of his murder in a gritty South Carolina fishing village. Follow along as Cosgrove shares the rippling effects of this decade-old case. With the help of a cast of salty characters, Cosgrove uncovers connections to a ruthless local crime boss and miscues from a threadbare sheriff’s department. A chance meeting with a soft-hearted psychic who provided freakishly accurate details about Frank’s death put Cosgrove face to face with the alleged killer.


Meet Frank

Frank 1981

This is Frank McGonigle. He was a son, a brother, a friend, and a gentle, trusting soul who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Click on the interview buttons to read an excerpt of his story and what life was like growing up in Brookside.

Interviews




Decades later, long time family friends, Jim Cosgrove, Mike McGonigle, and Tom Cosgrove toured Murrells Inlet together with the hopes of finding answers. (2019)

What Readers Are Saying

Barnes & Noble Customer

…It was well handled by the author with much sensitivity to the family of the victim, as the author was a family friend who grew up in that same area. Even the paranormal aspect of this case was believably expressed, which I found quite compelling. A well written true crime book that’s not your typical formula.

Rating: 5 out of 5.
Good Reads

The author’s open-mindedness to spirituality gives this story a unique twist to other true crime type novels and as a Dead fan could relate to the victim, a few parts gave me goose bumps. I recommend.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.
Booklist

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.”   

Rating: 5 out of 5.

More by the Author:

Lace up your sneakers for a delightful romp through inspiring essays for grown-up kids from beloved family entertainer and parenting columnist Jim Cosgrove. Tag along as he cuts the grass of a major league All-Star, bakes bread with nuns, shares a beer with a Muslim cab driver, and interacts with real-life angels. “Everybody Gets Stinky Feet”takes a peek into Cosgrove’s life as the father of daughters who are much more clever than he is and digs deep into his experience as the youngest of eight children in a loud and loving Irish-Catholic family.

“Jim Cosgrove has come a long way from the young man mowing my yard to an inspiring writer. This book captures a genuine sense of life’s important moments and the joys and trials life can throw your way.”

— George Brett, Kansas City Royals legend and National Baseball Hall of Famer

“Jim Cosgrove is one of those alien beings who just naturally makes others happy. He’s a treasure, and his book is pure, concentrated Jim Cosgrove, no additives or preservatives.”

— Joe Posnanski, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Paterno and The Soul of Baseball.

Contact Us About Interviews and Book Discussion Events.