When Marlowe, an illustrator living in New York City, returns to her family’s Hudson Valley estate for the holidays, she’s drawn back into a past she never fully escaped. The discovery of a murder on the property reopens the unresolved disappearance of her teenage best friend twenty years earlier, forcing Marlowe to confront long-buried memories and family secrets. As the story moves between past and present, the small-town dynamics, sibling misunderstandings, and legacy of the Gallagher summer home slowly unravel. Julie Doar’s debut explores themes of loyalty, class, friendship, and identity while building toward a tense and haunting conclusion.

I really enjoyed this book, and it made for a great cold-weather read, especially with its subtle “locked room” vibe. The atmosphere was strong and immersive; I truly felt like I was there, which was heightened by reading it around Thanksgiving since the story unfolds during the winter holidays.

With flashbacks that mirror the present timeline, this was a fast and engaging read for me. While I didn’t find the ending incredibly original, for a debut novel this was still fantastic. If you love a good slow-burn mystery filled with family drama, buried secrets, and complex characters this book is for you. I’d absolutely love to see what Doar does next in her second book.

AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKSHOP |★★★★

The Gallagher Place is out now. Huge thank you to Zibby Publishing for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.  If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.