A Modern Historical Thriller That Is Almost Unbearably Tense

I loved this book! Kate Belli does a superb job of building tension with almost every chapter and event that passes. And she has created a world (fine art galleries and priceless paintings) that feels very real without this reader having any background to build upon. She also gives us an unreliable narrator who is likeable and easy to root for.

The primary action of the novel takes place in the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center in September of 2001. I feel that Kate did a great job of capturing the mood of America during that time. As part of the back story of the novel revolves around events of that day, without spoilers, I will just say that she created a very claustrophobic moment in my reading journey in that scene.

This is an excellent read, perfect for fans of mysteries and thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the arc! An interesting thriller, won’t be in my top favorites but would be interested in trying another book from Kate Belli

I am appreciative to have read this. When I read an author for the first time, I extend some grace because I'm not familiar with their work and writing style. I felt this way with the "Gallery Assistant." I have to give this a solid three stars. I wanted to love this one but unfortunately it was just 'OK'

The book starts off in a great way. Chloe wakes up in her apartment after attending a party the night before for one of the artists from the Gallery she works at. When she gets to work the next day-Inga, the artist, is dead. Soon after, Chloe's boss disappears leaving everyone with questions. Secrets are uncovered and Chloe begins to see things weren't as they seemed. There were lots of twists in this one but i felt like there was a lot to unpack. the long list of characters could've been shortened. Overall, i think this was a fast paced thriller that was worth the read.

I found this book to be very depressing as Chloe suffers from PTSD after 9/11. She goes to a party and can’t remember the evening or how she got home. She is just a mess and needs serious help. She was the last to see painter alive and is trying to put all the pieces together. It is a slow burn and didn’t like any of the characters. It was more mystery about who did it. Just didn’t have any shock or twists to keep me engaged.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jaw-dropping, atmospheric, and utterly unputdownable!

I had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of The Gallery Assistant by Kate Belli, and wow — what an absolute ride. From the first page, this book grabs you and refuses to let go. Belli weaves together intrigue, art world secrets, and razor-sharp twists in a way that feels both elegant and electrifying.

The pacing is pitch-perfect: every chapter peels back another layer, just when you think you’ve guessed what’s coming — surprise! — the story pivots in a way that left my jaw on the floor more than once. The setting is vividly rendered, immersing you in the hidden corners and glittering facades of the art world, and the characters are complex, flawed, and so real they practically step off the page.

What I loved most is how Belli balances a thrilling plot with genuine emotional depth. It’s suspenseful, yes, but also beautifully human. By the end, I was breathless, replaying the twists in my head and wishing I could experience them all over again.

The Gallery Assistant is a triumph — dark, dazzling, and unforgettable. If you’re looking for a smart, stylish thriller that keeps you guessing (and gasping!) until the final reveal, this is it. Do not miss this book!

November 2001: Chloe Harlow wakes up late, with hazy memories of the party the night before but no recollection of how she got back to her Brooklyn apartment. Ever since the terrifying and catastrophic terrorist attack, it seems she has been on a collision course with destruction.

When she finally arrives at the exclusive Upper East Side art gallery where she works, she is immediately called into her boss’s office. A pair of NYPD detectives greet her, also very curious to know how her evening ended…because the host of the party, a rising painter and the gallery’s newest artist, is dead.

Navigating both the sophisticated high-stakes art world and her personal life in burgeoning Williamsburg, Chloe struggles to piece together a complete picture of that lost night. As she digs deeper, inconsistencies emerge between what she remembers and what people tell her actually happened, and more questions are raised. Everything begins to feel like a conspiracy and maybe it is. Because Chloe is the only one who glimpses the secrets the murdered artist left behind, and the closer she gets to the truth…the more deadly it becomes.
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This is an emotional story with a few interesting events that,
while heartbreaking, were well crafted for the purposes of
the story, and well done. I very much enjoyed the evolution
and conclusion of the story.
My thanks to Atria Publishing for the download copy of
this book for review purposes.

The Gallery Assistant is a fast, twisty read set in the high-stakes NYC art world. It’s got secrets, drama, and just the right amount of tension. I loved the atmosphere and the slow unraveling of who can really be trusted. Super readable, fast paced and fun — perfect if you like artsy thrillers with a bit of bite. Thank you to publishers for allowing me to read this Arc in exchange for an honest review

Thank you for the advanced copy! I really enjoyed this twisty thriller. It was a fun read and kept you interested until the end.

Set in post-9/11 New York, a young gallery assistant stumbles upon a big case. I felt like it was a little too coincidental at times, but it was good writing and a solid plot.

I simply couldn't get into this book, I think because I didn't like the main character very much (or any of the other characters, frankly), and the plot and setting felt disjointed. The post-9/11 setting seemed to be there more for the author to share her personal experiences through Chloe than for any real purpose related to the plot. Chloe's trauma could have come from anywhere, and didn't necessarily need to be so tied to a real-world event.

I did learn a thing or two about the art world, so that was nice, but otherwise I spent a lot of the book frustrated with the self-destructive main character's bumbling behavior.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this ARC and provide an honest review!

I could not put this book down! The Gallery Assistant totally sucked me in—from the very first page, I was hooked. It’s set in NYC just after 9/11, and follows Chloe, a gallery assistant who wakes up after a party with no memory of the night before… and finds out someone she knows is dead. From there, things spiral fast. It’s twisty, smart, and just when I thought I knew what was going on, nope—wrong again. It kept me guessing the whole way through.

What I loved most (besides the suspense) was how layered it was. There’s mystery, yes, but also trauma, memory, and how complicated the truth can be. And the art gallery setting? So cool. You can tell the author knows that world—it made everything feel super real.

I’d actually recommend this to students too. It’s a great read that opens up a lot of deeper conversations—plus, it’s just a really good story. Definitely adding this to my “summer fun read” list.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Gallery Assistant.

This is my first book by the author so I went into this with an open mind.

First, the narrative references 9/11 and may be triggering for certain readers so please be aware.

Second, Chloe is a typical main character in these genre books; unreliable, a closet alcoholic, and dealing with guilt after surviving 9/11 when she was in the area when the terrorist attack occurred.

When Chloe begins to investigate Inge's death, her friends gaslist her, call her crazy and naturally, considering her tendency to drink as a form of self medication, who can blame them?

There are a lot of characters, but some of the narrative is about Chloe drinking and binging and bed hopping. To each their own.

The mystery felt like a subplot to 9/11 and Chloe's PTSD and her unwillingness to seek therapy.

I didn't realize 9/11 was such a factor in the narrative; I would not have requested it if I had known.

I couldn't stand Chloe; yes, I know, she's dealing with PTSD and she's young, but she didn't seem very smart, intelligent, or resourceful.

I did like learning about how an art gallery works, the procedures behind the scenes.

The writing was good, but too wordy and descriptive at the same time.

The pacing was slow, tedious, and the narrative lacked suspense and urgency.

The subplot with the hidden messages could have been explored further and used to create additional tension.

Also, why does every book need a romance?

There was no chemistry between Chloe and Gio; why can't a friend just help another friend out without it turning into a relationship?

It's possible!

The Gallery Assistant
By: Kate Belli
November 2001-I think most of us will never forget 9/ll.
Chloe works at an art gallery in the Upper East side to find a pair of detectives wanting to talk with her. She was at a party the night before and her memories are clouded. Turns out the host of the party, her galleries newest artist is found dead.
Soon she finds herself in in the dark world of art while trying to recall that horrible night.
This one kept my interest and the suspense was inviting me in until the final page.
Trigger-PTSD, 9/11

A fast paced, twisty thriller.

Chloe Harlow, a young assistant in an elite New York gallery struggles to piece together how she got home after a drunken party for an aspiring artist - who was found murdered the next morning. Still haunted by a narrow escape from the World Trade Center on 9/11, Chloe is hanging onto her sanity by a thread as she unravels the mystery surrounding that night.

Really happy to have received this ARC.

This book centers around Chloe, her job at and art gallery, and her post 9/11 trauma. I really enjoyed the setting of NYC shortly after the attacks. It added to the feeling of tension and suspense that was present throughout this book.

Chloe was a bit of a frustrating main character because she made a lot of self-destructive decisions. She clearly was struggling in the aftermath of the terrorist attack, and when we finally heard what happened to her on that fateful day some pieces fell into place. It did leave me feeling like I couldn't trust her narration.

I really enjoyed learning a bit about the questions of art. I liked that Chloe was inexperienced so we kind of learned and discovered things together.

I did not see so many of the surprises coming throughout the book. I am glad that the author gave us a satisfying ending.

Thanks to Net Galley for the book to review.

This book has a lot to offer my students, a story that will get involved in, mixed with a history lesson for them and a look at post 9/11 trauma , grief , shock and racism. So I would use this to foster classroom discussions and I think my students will enjoy the book as well, It is a fast read and an easy read, though some of the subject matter is of course not easy

This ended up being a powerful and moving read. A mystery set in the months after 9/11. A strong, brave, damaged heroine, suffering from PTSD after being in the towers that day, using alcohol to cope. Someone she knows get murdered and she has no memory of the night. An unreliable narrator in the middle of danger. An interesting mystery and the parts about 9/11 were very moving, brought me to tears twice. Really enjoyed this book

This book was darker than I thought but also amazing. I was transported back to fall 2001 and the writing was so great it really felt like I was THERE! So many parts were heartbreaking and I appreciated that although this book has romance, it wasn’t the biggest plot line.