The Springthorpe Agenda

by Dale Ripley

For a man who hadn’t had more than a sip of alcohol for most of his life, how had he managed to consume so much that it interfered with his medicines and led to his death?

Mark Hogarth, a New York newspaper editor, receives a text from his sister stating that their father has died. Mark books the next flight to San Francisco to pick up his father’s belongings from Springthorpe Manor, an old, red brick, retirement home sitting high on a hill. As Mark sorts through his father’s possessions, he discovers strange and cryptic notes in his father’s journal that suggest foul play.

Mark becomes convinced that his father may still be alive, even after Heath Dole, the director of Springthorpe, hands him a black urn containing his father’s ashes and assures Mark that Ralph Hogarth has indeed passed. Has Mark’s grief made him unwilling to accept his loss? Or are Mark’s instincts correct? What secrets are being guarded within the walls of Springthorpe, and who can be trusted?

Navigating the dark corridors of the facility, Mark teams up with Sarah, a Springthorpe nurse, to search for the truth about the mysterious clues and events unfurling around them. They soon discover that someone will stop at nothing to protect the secrets of Springthorpe Manor.

Highly addictive, The Springthorpe Agenda is a fast-paced roller-coaster thriller and a riveting debut novel.

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2018

About the author

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Bacteriology. After several years of Lab Technician positions, I switched career gears and spent some time as a Personal Banking Rep, an Optometric Technician and a Shipping Supervisor. Never one to sit still, I now work as a QA Engineer for a software company. I grew up in both Wisconsin and Kentucky. In Kentucky, I lived and worked on a dairy farm-learning to milk cows and drive tractors. In my free time, I've been very involved in multiple community theaters. I got the acting bug in 1991, landing a small part in a play. Since then, I've landed lead roles in "Barefoot in the Park", "Arsenic and Old Lace" and "A Few Good Men". My wife and I moved to Florida in 2016 to escape the cold and snowy winters of Wisconsin. Now empty-nesters, we spend plenty of time at the beach. I've dreamed of publishing a novel for at least 20 years now. Finally, I can cross that off my bucket list with the release of "The Springthorpe Agenda". Thank you for taking the time to read about me. I'm extremely grateful and appreciate all of you who have supported me and encouraged me by reading my book.

Reviews

[Suzanne Leopold (Suzy Approved Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Hogarth has just learned that his elderly father has passed away. He was living at a senior facility called Springthorpe Manor in San Francisco. Mark lives in New York and hasn’t made any recent visits. While packing his father’s belongings, he comes across his father’s journal with entries made after his death. He is confused by the inconsistencies and decides to stick around to investigate.

The more information Mark gathers, the more he is confused about his father’s mental health. The head nurse described his father as suffering from dementia but others have contrasting opinions. As the facts start to build he becomes increasingly suspicious about the management of the facility.

The Springthorpe Agenda is an engaging debut novel by Dale Ripley. The story takes some interesting twists and turns and the conclusion opens some philosophical questions.

[Reggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow! Yes, this book is THAT good!! NY newspaper editor, Mark Hogarth, receives a text from his sister that their father has died. Mark is grief stricken seeing as they lost their mother 6 mos prior. Both elderly parents were residents of the retirement home, Springthorpe. While going through his father’s possessions, Mark finds his journal, which includes some cryptic notes...then he finds a photo of his parents that was taken after his mother was supposed to be dead. Mark begins to think that something sinister is happening to the residents of Springthorpe and believes that his father is still alive. Will he get to the bottom of the mystery...alive? This book is a great thriller with many twists and turns that you never see coming...especially the end! Glad that I tried this new-to-me author.
I accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Springthorpe Agenda is full of unexpected twists. Dale Ripley did a wonderful job of pulling the listener in with this story. The setting of a nursing home is both disconcerting and realistic, and creepy with a cemetery by it. Without giving away spoilers, I found the ending to have redemption and karma in it. David Wolfson performed this book flawlessly. He added the right emotions and tension and added to my enjoyment. I could easily hear who was speaking with his distinguishable voices for the characters. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator.

[Nancy Silk · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Suspenseful, Ghostly-Like Story"

Mark Hogarth, a New York newspaper editor, receives a text that his father has died while being a resident of an assisted living facility called Springthorpe Manor on the West Coast. As he is sorting through his father's belongings he finds a journal with strange and cryptic notes which may indicate something is wrong at the Manor. As he is given a black urn of his father's ashes, he believes his father is still alive. This is an intriguing , spellbinding mystery I found captivating. It's spooky!

[Lovely Loveday · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Springthorpe Agenda is a fast-paced action-packed thriller that does not disappoint. Ripley has created a truly mysterious read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A story that is full of twists and turns that lurk around every corner with an ending that you will never see coming. Overall, a remarkable read that I recommend to anyone who loves a good suspenseful thriller.

[Deedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible:This was a creepy good read.Well written with good characters. I enjoyed listening to David Wolfsons narration. I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book from Dale Ripley, this time following Hogarth family. Following the death of his father, Mark finds inconsistencies in the retirement homes version of events. This starts a complex search for the truth.