Thursday, October 1, 2026
Julie Doar, author of the mystery-thriller “The Gallagher Place” recently visited East Meadow fans at the East Meadow Public Library
Doar’s debut novel was recently the subject of the library’s Mystery/Thriller Book Club, receiving such a positive reception that Doar appeared for a Meet and Greet Book Signing at the library on Jan. 27, revealing behind-the-scenes details about her life and creative process. A middle school English teacher in Brooklyn, Doar described the novel’s success as a dream come true.
“At the time that I was writing the first draft of this novel, I was working as a barista at Starbucks,” she said. Throughout her days, she consistently found a spare hour or two to focus on her creative projects.
“I would totally return to East Meadow, it was a really nice event,” Doar said. “I think the beauty of library events is you’re among readers and people who are really just in love with literature, so it’s a really fulfilling type of atmosphere.”
The novel, published by Zibby Media in California, is a mystery following a New York City illustrator returning to her Hudson Valley home after years of absence and rediscovering and untangling the case of a childhood friend’s disappearance.
Doar grew up in the area, and, she said, “I always thought it would be a great setting for a murder mystery. I think the old, abandoned barns and the forests and the fields just create a sort of mysterious vibe.
“It’s been really exciting to go through this publication process,” she added, “and finally get something out in the world that was in my head for so long.”
Janine Walsh, who heads the library’s reader services department, is always looking for ways to draw readers to the facility.
“People very much loved that kind of presentation, so we are hopefully going to do it again in the future with other authors,” Walsh said.
The library offers programs for regular readers and the East Meadow community, including multiple book clubs: a general-interest group, another that focuses on bestsellers, and the mysteries-and-thrillers club.
Librarian II Christina Crocker worked with Zibby Media to arrange Doar’s visit
At the party, Walsh and Crocker explained the structure of the library’s book clubs to members of Zibby Media, which quickly led to them being handed an advance copy of “The Gallagher Place.”
The publishers described the novel as a fresh and distinct experience that makes it stand out against its peers in the genre.
“I read it, and I absolutely agree, and they were 100 percent correct,” Crocker said. “I emailed the (Zibby) representative back and I said, yes, I really enjoyed it, it was very different. I loved the whole environmental aspect of it, and the ending really got you thinking. I said we would definitely consider using it for the Mystery/Thriller Book Club.
“Anyone who is interested in not just mysteries or thrillers, but books in general, I think they will really find attending this event worthwhile,” Crocker added of Doar’s visit next week, “because I think the author really has some interesting things to say.”
The library is gearing up for more novel readings throughout February and March. For information about future Book Club meetings events, visit EastMeadow.info.
Doar’s book is available at ZibbyMedia.com.
