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The Spring
Set in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado, this is the tale of a snowbound mountain town with a remarkable secret to protect from outsiders - a secret worth dying for, and perhaps worth killing for.
Dennis Conway, New York criminal lawyer, has moved to Colorado to marry Sophie, the beautiful mayor of the 9,000-feet-high secluded hamlet of Springhill. When his new in-laws are charged with hunting down and murdering two of their close friends, Dennis is shocked, disbelieving, and he defends Sophie's parents at trial in Aspen.
What he learns in the course of his investigation is a stunning portrait of social contract in the interests of longevity - a love story, a murder story, and a skiing story with the most remarkable avalanche scene ever written.
"An extraordinarily entertaining and thoughtful combination of Lost Horizons and Presumed Innocent. Not only is it a mystery--on at least two levels--but it poses troubling questions concerning prolonged life and its ultimate value. -- Booklist
"Irving delivers a parable about aging and euthanasia that's spare of prose and thoroughly creepy; book discussion groups will love it. Recommended for all libraries."-- Library Journal
"Irving drives his narrative from the fantastic to the realistic and back again, playing a game that's sure and steady." -- Publishers Weekly
Dennis Conway, New York criminal lawyer, has moved to Colorado to marry Sophie, the beautiful mayor of the 9,000-feet-high secluded hamlet of Springhill. When his new in-laws are charged with hunting down and murdering two of their close friends, Dennis is shocked, disbelieving, and he defends Sophie's parents at trial in Aspen.
What he learns in the course of his investigation is a stunning portrait of social contract in the interests of longevity - a love story, a murder story, and a skiing story with the most remarkable avalanche scene ever written.
"An extraordinarily entertaining and thoughtful combination of Lost Horizons and Presumed Innocent. Not only is it a mystery--on at least two levels--but it poses troubling questions concerning prolonged life and its ultimate value. -- Booklist
"Irving delivers a parable about aging and euthanasia that's spare of prose and thoroughly creepy; book discussion groups will love it. Recommended for all libraries."-- Library Journal
"Irving drives his narrative from the fantastic to the realistic and back again, playing a game that's sure and steady." -- Publishers Weekly
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 8, 1996
180 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
Clifford Irving
54 books70 followersClifford Irving was the author of 20 published books & just released 12 of his works as Kindle/Nook eBooks; he was currently writing a memoir called Around the World in 80 Years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 30, 2015
I'm pretty sure I read one of Clifford Irving's novels many, many years ago, although for the life of me I don't recall which one. Then, when he got embroiled in the great hoax - writing a fake autobiography of the reclusive Howard Hughes - I pretty much lost interest in the guy. Even after doing jail time, though, he never stopped writing - and from what information I can glean, he's always been pretty darned good at the craft.
As I've noted in many reviews, I belong to a number of websites that offer free and low-cost books in Kindle format. Not too long ago, I found this book, described as a "legal thriller," on sale for 99 cents (as we speak, it's going for $2.99 at Amazon). The plot sounded interesting, so I threw caution to the wind and blew my dollar on it. And what do you know? I really enjoyed reading it.
To be sure, I'd call it weird; while it describes the life of a man and woman in love - and includes a trial in which the man, an attorney, defends the woman's elderly parents in a court of law - the whole thing is woven around a place that could be likened to a communal Fountain of Youth. Set not in Florida but high in the mountains of Colorado near Aspen, the tiny town of Springhill fiercely protects a big secret: a water source that, apparently, allows them to live almost unlimited years while retaining their youthful appearance and mental and physical strengths. Along the way, their solidarity has been augmented by the passing down of a special language ("harping," for instance, means seriously discussing issues among themselves with the intent of persuading one to a different point of view).
Cool so far? Well, hear this: The townspeople's ruling committee agreed at the outset that 100 years is the limit; any person who reaches that milestone must agree to die voluntarily. Death is accomplished humanely (the ethics of euthanasia and assisted suicide aside), and all the denizens are okay with that simply because they get to live far longer than most humans and in much better shape. Everything, it seems, has remained true to plan for generations; but let's be honest: had it remained so, this book wouldn't exist.
What happened is that Sophie Henderson, one of the townspeople and a committee member, met and fell in love with Manhattan attorney Dennis Conway, who visited Aspen to ski. Dennis, who has two young children and no wife, pulls up his New York stakes, packs up the kids and moves to Springhill to be with his love. Then, a local couple and friends of Sophie's parents are found dead, and her parents are accused of helping them commit suicide. Whether right or wrong from a moral standpoint, such assistance is against the law (this book was published in 1996, BTW) and the region's law enforcement insists that they be brought to trial. Dennis, believing them to be innocent, agrees to represent Sophie's mother, "Bitsy"; her father, Scott, himself an attorney, insists on representing himself.
From this point on, my lips are sealed; suffice it to say it was hard for me to put this one down (I even kept one eye on my Kindle while I was watching the NCAA basketball tournament. I'm thankful that I managed to finish it before the Final Four games, when two of my favorite teams - Kentucky and Duke - will take to the court against other teams and hopefully face off in the championship game.
As I've noted in many reviews, I belong to a number of websites that offer free and low-cost books in Kindle format. Not too long ago, I found this book, described as a "legal thriller," on sale for 99 cents (as we speak, it's going for $2.99 at Amazon). The plot sounded interesting, so I threw caution to the wind and blew my dollar on it. And what do you know? I really enjoyed reading it.
To be sure, I'd call it weird; while it describes the life of a man and woman in love - and includes a trial in which the man, an attorney, defends the woman's elderly parents in a court of law - the whole thing is woven around a place that could be likened to a communal Fountain of Youth. Set not in Florida but high in the mountains of Colorado near Aspen, the tiny town of Springhill fiercely protects a big secret: a water source that, apparently, allows them to live almost unlimited years while retaining their youthful appearance and mental and physical strengths. Along the way, their solidarity has been augmented by the passing down of a special language ("harping," for instance, means seriously discussing issues among themselves with the intent of persuading one to a different point of view).
Cool so far? Well, hear this: The townspeople's ruling committee agreed at the outset that 100 years is the limit; any person who reaches that milestone must agree to die voluntarily. Death is accomplished humanely (the ethics of euthanasia and assisted suicide aside), and all the denizens are okay with that simply because they get to live far longer than most humans and in much better shape. Everything, it seems, has remained true to plan for generations; but let's be honest: had it remained so, this book wouldn't exist.
What happened is that Sophie Henderson, one of the townspeople and a committee member, met and fell in love with Manhattan attorney Dennis Conway, who visited Aspen to ski. Dennis, who has two young children and no wife, pulls up his New York stakes, packs up the kids and moves to Springhill to be with his love. Then, a local couple and friends of Sophie's parents are found dead, and her parents are accused of helping them commit suicide. Whether right or wrong from a moral standpoint, such assistance is against the law (this book was published in 1996, BTW) and the region's law enforcement insists that they be brought to trial. Dennis, believing them to be innocent, agrees to represent Sophie's mother, "Bitsy"; her father, Scott, himself an attorney, insists on representing himself.
From this point on, my lips are sealed; suffice it to say it was hard for me to put this one down (I even kept one eye on my Kindle while I was watching the NCAA basketball tournament. I'm thankful that I managed to finish it before the Final Four games, when two of my favorite teams - Kentucky and Duke - will take to the court against other teams and hopefully face off in the championship game.
June 8, 2014
Hard to follow. Jumps around a lot, good story just inconsistent
July 18, 2020
I remembered reading this book many years ago and wanted to read it again for the “fountain of youth” theme. But this time through, I became impatient with all the drama over the trial of the main character’s (Dennis’s) in-laws, especially because no one would tell him anything. Also, in the beginning of the book, long before we get to the trial, the author does a lot of summarizing and skips ahead in time to cover Dennis’s romance with Sophia. That took me out of the story. But overall, I still liked the book, just not as much as I remembered.
January 12, 2019
Interesting premise, but not strong
This book has an interesting premise about a community that will do anything to protect their secret, but I felt like the main conflict(the trial) was not out together with very strong logic, and the end was a bit too tidy.
It was a fun read but not the best I've read. The book also needed a bit more care by the editor, as it has several typos and formatting errors.
This book has an interesting premise about a community that will do anything to protect their secret, but I felt like the main conflict(the trial) was not out together with very strong logic, and the end was a bit too tidy.
It was a fun read but not the best I've read. The book also needed a bit more care by the editor, as it has several typos and formatting errors.
June 3, 2019
A legal matter that went awry.
When I read Clifford Irving's first two books ins this series I thought the start was slow. I felt the same way with the Spring. However with all three books I ended up riveted to the story. Couldnt put the books down. The spring was the least of the what sucked me in even with all trial theatrics. The switch to the water while interesting did not hold me to the story as much.
When I read Clifford Irving's first two books ins this series I thought the start was slow. I felt the same way with the Spring. However with all three books I ended up riveted to the story. Couldnt put the books down. The spring was the least of the what sucked me in even with all trial theatrics. The switch to the water while interesting did not hold me to the story as much.
June 25, 2019
Undecided
Part of this book was riveting and held my interest. Then for some reason I just couldn't continue to read it.... Every word. I hop scotches and then read the ending ....
Part of this book was riveting and held my interest. Then for some reason I just couldn't continue to read it.... Every word. I hop scotches and then read the ending ....
December 21, 2019
NOT a legal thriller!
I give this book one star ....... it is advertised as a 'legal thriller' but is, instead, a sci-fi story, with just a wee-bit of legal sprinkled in. Irving's first two were very good, but this was a huge disappointment.
I give this book one star ....... it is advertised as a 'legal thriller' but is, instead, a sci-fi story, with just a wee-bit of legal sprinkled in. Irving's first two were very good, but this was a huge disappointment.
June 28, 2020
Fabulous
What an adventure. The moral implications that this book described is truly thought provoking . The what it's and the why of it all. I won't tell you have to read this book to find out. Have fun on your trip.
What an adventure. The moral implications that this book described is truly thought provoking . The what it's and the why of it all. I won't tell you have to read this book to find out. Have fun on your trip.
April 21, 2025
Started out as a quasi-romance in the hills of Aspen with clearly an unspoken story and details slow slow in coming. A small town mystery and the idea of some kind of Shangri La begins to form and then an arrest and slightly cornball trial and the exciting conclusion! 2.5 stars rounded up. Meh
September 12, 2017
Good
Written so well, it keeps you turning pages, but the story itself is so preposterous it makes you wonder why you're reading it..
Written so well, it keeps you turning pages, but the story itself is so preposterous it makes you wonder why you're reading it..
December 30, 2017
Esoteric
I like Irving's writing, but this topic was somewhat too esoteric for my taste. I hope this is only once, since The Final Argument was 5 stars.
I like Irving's writing, but this topic was somewhat too esoteric for my taste. I hope this is only once, since The Final Argument was 5 stars.
January 19, 2019
Ugh!
Finished the novel and finished with Clifford Irving. Preposterous premise and unexpected nonsense made this difficult to read, let alone to finish.
Finished the novel and finished with Clifford Irving. Preposterous premise and unexpected nonsense made this difficult to read, let alone to finish.
April 29, 2019
A GREAT COLORADO ADVENTURE
As one who loves the mountains and skiing this book truly hits home! The mystic twist enhances the experience and fun.
As one who loves the mountains and skiing this book truly hits home! The mystic twist enhances the experience and fun.
Read
August 17, 2021A Clifford story with a touch of Dean Koontz
A great story, that holds the reader entrances, all the while, with a feeling of fantasy. An ending that could have been sliding doors
A great story, that holds the reader entrances, all the while, with a feeling of fantasy. An ending that could have been sliding doors
April 14, 2025
Who knew the fountain of youth is in Colorado? I wanted more of a witchcraft cult motif but it was a solid read.
Read
June 14, 2025rwr review
March 18, 2017
Great story, well-written.
December 18, 2013
Dennis Conway heads to Colorado to ski and there meets beautiful Sophie Henderson. They fall in love, marry and Dennis and his two children move to Sophie's home town. All goes well until two bodies are discovered and Sophie's parents face a murder charge. Dennis, a defense attorney,defends them and you'll have to read the book to learn the outcome of that trial. In time Dennis learns the odd secret of the village and he and the family narrowly escape. An interesting read, with some tense moments.
September 28, 2014
By the time that Dennis Irving discovers the weird truth about his new home town, it is too late--he is married to a woman who is actually 65 years old--though she doesn't look it. It seems that residents can live past 100, and they have agreed to be euthanized before then. Not much is said about the Spring--which may not cause this phenomenon. There is an exciting section toward the end as a bunch of them--in winter--try to escape.
January 1, 2015
In the first chapter I was ready to give up on this book. It was touted as a legal thriller so I expected some realism -- maybe along the lines of John Grisham. I was reading it for a book club discussion though, so I stayed with it, and I'm glad I did. It ended up being worthwhile. It was more than a little predictable, and the murder part of the story had lots of holes, but I liked the characters and I liked the premise.
September 25, 2014
I'd would go about 3.5. Calling this a legal thriller is a little mis-leading, especially when comparing it to Mr. Irving's Trial and Final Argument. An unusual story, but one that will cause you to stop and think. Nothing wrong with that.
All in all, if you read in the Mystery/Thrill genre, or if you have read Trial and/or Final Argument, this would be worth reading.
All in all, if you read in the Mystery/Thrill genre, or if you have read Trial and/or Final Argument, this would be worth reading.
February 4, 2016
I really enjoyed this book! I thought at first it would be implausible to have a town that discovered the fountain of youth...I don't really like fantasy.
But I believed the storyline and enjoyed the character development of Dennis and Sophie and the legal thriller section. It was an exciting adventure at the very end. I didn't want the book to be finished!
But I believed the storyline and enjoyed the character development of Dennis and Sophie and the legal thriller section. It was an exciting adventure at the very end. I didn't want the book to be finished!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2015
Considerably better than most..............................
Engaging, thought provoking, spicy. People given a gift to immense for their intelligent use. One believes they could marshal the needed emotional control, maybe.
Engaging, thought provoking, spicy. People given a gift to immense for their intelligent use. One believes they could marshal the needed emotional control, maybe.
May 2, 2015
Not as good as the first two
Read this expecting a gritty legal thriller like the previous two books. Well he was a lawyer and there were a couple of chapters in a court but there I'm afraid the similarity ended. Not believable not interesting and w
Read this expecting a gritty legal thriller like the previous two books. Well he was a lawyer and there were a couple of chapters in a court but there I'm afraid the similarity ended. Not believable not interesting and w
July 12, 2010
strange, strange, story...
May 23, 2014
Good book.
April 9, 2015
This was a really fun book to read. Fantasy, yes, but kind of believable! I haven't read anything by Clifford Irving that I didn't really like. Now I have my husband reading all of them, too.
Read
May 31, 2016This one gave you a lot to think about. Immortality?
September 22, 2015
Dragging on
I found the plot to be too simple and unbelievable. I had a hard time trying to finish this novel. Very weak ending
I found the plot to be too simple and unbelievable. I had a hard time trying to finish this novel. Very weak ending
October 25, 2015
Fairly well written and an interesting dilemma.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews