The Anatomy of a Disappearance: Thrity Umrigar on Mystery, Suspense, and "Missing Sam"

Join the New York Public Library for the World Literature and Arts Festival at 53rd Street Library for a conversation with author Thrity Umrigar and Naheed Phiroze Patel about her Umrigar's mystery novel, Missing Sam.

Renowned for her "incisive prose and psychological depth" (The New York Times), bestselling novelist Thrity Umrigar joins us to discuss her latest novel, Missing Sam. This afternoon discussion, moderated by author Naheed Phiroze Patel, will delve into the book’s central themes: grief, our current political climate, and the queer immigrant experience, all within the skeleton of a thriller. Whether you're a longtime fan of Umrigar's earlier masterpieces, or discovering her work for the first time with Missing Sam, this conversation promises a deep dive into her craft of storytelling and her continued exploration of the resilience of the human spirit. The discussion will be followed by a Q&A session and book signing.

To join the event in person | Please register for an In-Person Ticket. Doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission.

To join the event online | Please register for an Online Ticket. A livestream of this event will be available on the NYPL event page. To receive an email reminder shortly in advance of the event, please be sure to register! If you encounter any issues, please join us on NYPL's YouTube channel.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Thrity Umrigar is the bestselling author of 11 novels and four picture books. Her novel, Honor, was a Reese Book Club pick.  A former Journalist, she was the recipient of a Nieman Fellowship to Harvard. She is a distinguished university professor at Case Western Reserve university.

Naheed Phiroze Patel is the author of Mirror Made of Rain (Unnamed Press, 2022 & HarperCollins India, 2021) and a writer of literary criticism, short fiction, and essays. Her work has appeared in New England Review, Public Books, The Guardian, Lit Hub, Poets & Writers, HuffPost, and others. Her debut novel was an NPR Book of the Day, praised for its “personal, empathetic view on mothers deemed failures.” Naheed has received fellowships from Oxbelly Retreat, the University of Georgia and Columbia University, where she earned her MFA in fiction.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

The New York Public Library’s World Literature & Arts Festival (April 15–30, 2026) brings together trailblazers from diverse disciplines and backgrounds to celebrate storytelling and spotlight NYC’s vibrant communities. Join us for free events, programs, book recommendations, and resources for all ages.

BOOKS & MORE 

Discover more books and ideas tied to this program in The New York Public Library's collections. 

If you have a NYPL library card, you can borrow books related this event and even more NYPL e-books—on your favorite device. Learn more: nypl.org/ebookhelp

Don't have a New York Public Library card? Get one here!

ACCESSIBILITY NOTES

In-Person

• Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue. 


• You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) captioning service by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org.


• This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

Livestream

• Live captioning will be provided.


• You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org.

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