This moody thriller offers a compelling setup—a blackout night, a dead artist, and a protagonist unraveling in post-9/11 New York—but doesn't fully capitalize on its potential. Chloe’s disoriented perspective adds intrigue, and the atmospheric backdrop of the art world and a city in crisis is evocative. However, the pacing drags at times, and the mystery loses tension as the plot becomes overly convoluted. Still, the novel delivers moments of sharp insight and stylish writing, making it a decent read for fans of slow-burn psychological suspense with a noir edge.

Thanks, Net Galley, for the chance to read this early.

3 stars ⭐️ This is a fast paced, easy to read book. It’s more mystery than thriller. It was an intriguing read but I didn’t love it. That doesn’t mean you won’t though!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own 🫶🏼

Chloe Harrow has made herself a New York local and finds herself in an eclectic group of friends who are all part of the art scene. Her now roommate, Vik, got her a job at Fletcher and Sons art gallery and in her twos years there she moved from a secretarial role to a more prominent role of research assistant. Simultaneously the upcoming artist that she's responsible for researching has been murdered in her apartment and the police are looking at everyone, but none of it makes sense. Chloe can't help but feel like there's something more going on but she doesn't know what and it doesn't help that her memory has been betraying her since a few months ago when the towers fell.

This story looks at life in post 9/11 New York with locals trying to go on with life as usual when no one knows what 'usual' is anymore. A unique combination of complicated relationships, unhealthy coping mechanisms, paranoia and murder all twisted in to white collar crime. Kate Belli's book kept me on the edge of my seat trying to make sense of what Chloe was experiencing and untwisting all the possibilities of who killed the galleries artist and why, and why can't she remember. This book was an unexpectedly good time for someone who isn't always sold on white collar stories or shows but I really enjoyed it and how it didn't feel like anything else I've read. I was also intrigued and emotional reading Chloe's experience in and around the towers falling on 9/11 and how that played into the rest of the plot line.

I would say The Gallery Assistant is a mix of Rob Pattinson's Remember Me, the television show White Collar and a little bit of Sherlock Holmes or your favorite crime procedural.

I have posted my review on GoodReads and will include a review on Instagram closer to publication date.

At first I thought “oh no, another unreliable female narrator who can’t remember anything because she drinks too much…” I am so done with that trope. And then somehow I got sucked in. While I didn’t find Chloe particularly likeable, I felt like I understood her. And the mystery kept me interested and engaged throughout. It wrapped up a little quickly, but overall a great read!

Theme words to describe this book: trauma, needing therapy, more trauma, addiction, poor choices, and murder.

Jumping right in, there seems to be a lot of unnecessary detail. I’m not sure if it’s because this is a mystery book so we’re supposed to notice all of the little things, but I don’t really care about Chloe’s towel she’d had since college.

Also, I feel like if I didn’t remember how I got home last night, I’d be freaking out more and asking more questions. Especially as her roommate brings up that she was with a guy. Chloe went to a party for one of their clients and partied really hard, so much that she doesn’t remember how she got home, changed out of her party clothes, or really much of most of the party at all. First, got to get to the bottom of that question. But a wrench is thrown in because the client, Inga, was found dead the next morning.

Also, yes, hating the smell of cigarettes, then trying to get rid of the smell, and then smoking more… I understand it’s an addiction but if there’s something about it that even drives them crazy, they should probably start seeking help for it. I’m sure the trauma and not dealing with it is directly part of this.

Being that late for your job- I’m surprised she wasn’t fired, especially for not checking in. And for someone incredibly late, I’m not surprised since she has no sense of urgency at all trying to get there.

Chloe survived 9/11 and has to deal with the trauma of this. She’s an alcoholic and nicotine addict who is trying to smother memories and feelings. Understandable with what she went through, but does need help. Lou, her mentor, sees this and tries to help as much as he can, but unfortunately his time is cut short because he’s fired from the art gallery they both work at. However, he didn’t just leave. He straight up disappeared and all traces of him and his wife are gone.

Aside from Lou, Gio is a good character. He seems to show up for Chloe when she needs support.

However, Vik, Chloe’s roommate. He’s an odd one. Great for trying to support her, not great for not trying to support her more, horrible for trying to gaslight her, even if he might be trying to protect her from something. Maybe he’s just trying to shield Chloe from it, but calling her crazy while she’s already trying to deal with her trauma, not good. I do feel for him, being in a coma and beat to crap. My other question, where is Ben in all this? (oooo low blow there dude)

Oh, and Bo, he’s a creep and he sucks. 0/10 on a “friend” scale. But, so is Carl.

Another note- justice for Groucho who is caught in the middle of all of this drama and should have been taken to Gio’s earlier. Think of that child’s safety.

I received an ARC from Atria Marketing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The novel explores themes of memory, trauma, and the complexities of the art world. Set against the backdrop of a city recovering from tragedy, it delves into the psychological turmoil of its protagonist as she seeks truth amidst uncertainty.

Great read with elements that will make you devour this book. The main character ter and the whole plot was beautifully thought making this an exciting and entreating book. Totally recommend!

Chloe works as an art gallery assistant at an upper east side art gallery in New York. She attends a party in which she can’t even remember how she got home. The next day she arrives at work only to be met by detectives who are working the death investigation; the investigation of the artist who hosted the party the night before. He is dead!

This takes place in 2001. She begins her own investigation into what happened that night. Many characters are brought in and she stops at nothing to figure this out. She is already kind of a mess and she doesn’t need more on her emotional plate. After getting through 9/11, she can’t take much more.

Characters are very important to me and I think Chloe was well thought out. I didn’t fully connect with the other characters but I did like her. Setting that aside, I truly enjoyed the wild ride Chloe was on throughout the story. It was well written and full of mystery and action. This is my first book by Belli and I will definitely read her next one. She fit a lot into 288 pages. I would rather a book have less pages and be full of action, than a long drawn out story that is way too long for its content. Fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler for the ARC of this book.

Thank you Atria and NetGalley for this ARC!

I was not into this book, I didn't even finish it. I tried, I really did. I was in Cancun for work and while I had some time I brought it down to the beach with me and I had half a mind to throw it in the ocean if I wasn't so concerned about sea life eating it.

Holly Collins

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for inviting me to read this e-ARC.

Chloe Harlow wakes up after a night of partying with hazy memories and no idea how she got home. But there's one thing she doesn’t realize—she’s the only one who caught a glimpse of the secrets a murdered artist left behind. Can it get more thrilling than that?

The suspense pulled me in from the first page. I was eager to unravel what Chloe had gotten herself into, what secrets the gallery was hiding, and most importantly—who the murderer was. Chloe’s struggle with alcohol and her lack of a real support system made her feel vulnerable and human, which added emotional depth to the story.

That said, there were a few loose threads. Some elements, like the mention of 9/11, didn’t feel well-integrated into the narrative. The suspense was strong, but it sometimes felt like it was just... hanging there, without the payoff I expected.

Overall, it was an okay book with a whole lot of suspense.

The Gallery Assistant by Kate Belli drew me in with an intriguing premise: in post-9/11 New York, gallery assistant Chloe Harlow finds herself at the center of a murder investigation after waking up with no recollection of the night before. The gallery's newest artist is found dead and Chloe, reeling from her own trauma in the wake of the terrorist attack, seeks the truth of the murder - even though it may mean her own life is at risk.


At first glance, this novel has all the elements for a solid thriller—a intriguing setting, a missing memory, a murdered artist, and a protagonist who must look for answers while she herself is an unreliable narrator. The suspense does build well and I found myself wanting to keep turning pages. 


That said, The Gallery Assistant falls short for me. While the whole first part was overly descriptive of the art gallery industry and New York in general, which struggled to keep my attention, the remainder of plot at times feels rushed and underdeveloped. Much of the text comes off as clunky, and rather than creating a rich narrative, the story often leans on shallow clues to move the plot forward. The most unfortunate part, to me, was a strange and seemingly random link drawn between the murder plot and the 9/11 attacks, which felt not only unjustified but also in poor taste—an attempt at gravity that instead lands as insensitive. From the author’s note, I think I understand the attempt, but I don’t think it quite landed. 


While the novel’s core mystery is a thrilling, the ending feels rushed and unsatisfying. It’s the kind of book that may keep you curious enough to finish, but not fully satisfied by the time you do. This book may suit readers who enjoy a mystery for mystery’s sake and aren’t concerned much with character complexity or narrative depth. A decent page-turner in concept, but for me, not one that delivers.



Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Gallery Assistant by Kate Belli is a compelling mystery with two strong narrative threads: the shadow of 9/11 and a gripping art-world storyline. I especially appreciated how the novel explored the lingering effects of 9/11—those sections added real emotional weight. The main mystery involving the artwork was engaging and well-paced, keeping me hooked throughout.

That said, I do wish the 9/11 storyline and the art plot had been more interconnected; they felt like two separate pieces that could’ve enhanced each other more if woven together. Also, the narrator’s constant drinking and general sloppiness got frustrating and detracted a bit from the overall experience.

Still, the novel delivers a great ending that ties things up in a satisfying and memorable way. Definitely worth reading for fans of literary mysteries and character-driven suspense.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying this one. Set in the New York art world just after 9/11, the book feels both intimate and unsettling. Chloe, the protagonist, is trying to rebuild her life, but she keeps getting pulled into things she doesn’t quite understand—and it makes for some delicious tension. It’s more of a simmering psychological mystery than a high-octane thriller, which worked for me.

If you like stories with atmosphere and a slightly off-kilter vibe, this one’s worth checking out.

This book kept my attention throughout, as I was very interested in finding out what actually happened to Inga and Chloe. It had good twist and turns, the writing was also very straightforward but still good. I like the descriptions of NYC, as I am from there and it was enjoyable to read about my city. I like Gio a lot, he’s a sweetheart. And Chloe was a good protagonist, believable and not annoying. She was extremely flawed and that made her relatable. However, man did she surround herself with the worst people, it was unbelievable.

However, my criticisms lie with the ending and how convoluted that turned out to be. It was just whacky and resolved too quickly. I believe very close to the absolute last pages. I wanted more of a lead up to it, and a bit more of Chloe’s life at present. I also was disturbed by the 9/11 account, to be honest, it freaked me out. I’ve seen so many countless stories on TV and documentaries about it; but there is something about reading it that just made me feel scared. I also read it at like 3 am so that didn’t help. I was in middle school when it happened and I could still remember the coverage like it was yesterday. I actually don’t think that aspect of the story was needed. The book would be the same if Chloe had almost died in a different, traumatic way. I read that the author lived in NYC as well so I get why she wrote in that plot point.

This one wasn’t exactly my thing for what I like to read; the characters weren’t my favorite and the emotional impact wasn’t there for me, but I do like a mystery. By the end, I did find the story an interesting one. Our lead Chloe isn’t my favorite. She’s not the type of character I like to read about; a bit of a mess of a person (drinks a lot, parties so much she failed out of college, sleeps around). This story starts with her waking in her bed not remembering what happened the night before. She remembers getting black out drunk, but not much else. When she gets to her work at an art gallery, the police are there, the host of the party has been murdered. As the story progresses, Chloe manages to piece some things together and discover that there is something off going on in her world. She’s starting to question who she can trust; even if she can trust herself. There is also some stuff with 9/11; this story takes place in New York only a couple months after 9/11. As the story progresses, you can see Chloe has been seriously affected by the attacks. Chloe isn’t the most sympathetic character and makes some bad choices. Her being drunk a lot makes it so people just think she’s being crazy when she starts uncovering things, which she may be since she blacked out the night of the murder, so she’s an unreliable source of information. At least she has some tenacity. I did enjoy the ending and the mystery was a fun one. Overall, I’d say a 3.5 rating; rounded up to a 4 because despite this not being my thing, I enjoyed it.

I really enjoyed learning about the art scene in New York city, and the author's decision to set the novel in 2001 shortly after 9/11 was intriguing. I didn't love the character of Chloe, the protagonist, but the plot moved along quickly and held my interest.

I thought this book was fine!! I felt like I was trudging through the first part, like almost forcing myself to read it. I’m glad I stuck with it because I found parts two and three to be a lot more fun. I love an unreliable narrator so I enjoyed that aspect.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Atria books for providing this ARC, all opinions are my own.

The tension in this one took some time to build, but once it got going it kept momentum. I actually wish there had been a little more time taken in the descriptions of the art, considering the focus of the book.
I enjoyed this, and do wish it had been a little longer.

3.5/5
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

The Gallery Assistant is an interesting read. The author handles certain delicate aspects of the story - like trauma, ptsd, addiction, and its consequences - with refreshing sincerity.

The suspense, while riveting in the beginning, loses momentum midway. There is a palpable tension throughout, but too many side characters disrupt the flow of the main storyline.

This book has potential to be a shorter, more tightly woven and intriguing read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advance ebook.

Set in post-9/11 New York, the novel follows Chloe Harlow, who wakes up with a foggy memory of the night before—only to learn that someone she was with, a promising young artist, is now dead. As detectives begin to circle and her own recollections blur with others’ accounts, Chloe is drawn into a tangled web of art, ambition, and hidden truths.

Despite the intriguing setup and atmospheric backdrop, the story didn’t quite land for me. I struggled to stay engaged, and the characters felt distant and difficult to connect with. While the book hints at a layered mystery, it lacked the emotional pull or narrative momentum I was hoping for.

Ultimately, this one wasn’t for me.