I LOVED this book. I thought the setting of it in 2001 was so nostalgic and something I adored. I was on my toes the whole book with who could be involved in the scandal and trying to figure out what the scandal actually was. It was an incredible and unique novel. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future !

A murder set in the backdrop of New York City post 9/11. More than just a toe dip into the world of fine art, we are whisked into galleries and auctions and the back-deals that give a price to paintings. The resilient nature of New Yorkers thrums in these pages, but we get to see the way in which people have persevered after the devastation that occurred in their city. I appreciated that Belli researched true survivor accounts in order to portray Chloe's mindset and means of coping through her trauma. I love that Chloe, the lead character, was so emotionally broken at the start. Inga Beck's murder highlighted Chloe's failings and sparked a change in her interaction with others. Whether it actually existed or not, Chloe's interpretation of Inga's painting series propelled the story along, an artistic touch to a murder investigation! I thank SS Atria Marketing for granting me an ARC of this compelling book that not only solves a complex crime but also explores the ways in which we survive shock.

There were some good things about this book. I enjoyed the backdrop of the art gallery and the 9/11 connection. That said, the protagonist was completely unlikeable and the use of toxic gaslighting and memory loss as a fuel to the plot was a major misstep.

<i>thank you Atria publishing for inviting me to read this e-arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review</i>

dnf at 25%

i’m desperate for something that i will actually enjoy. 🫠

the writing was subpar and the plot was poor.
i rlly wanted to like this book, but it wasn’t for me 😭

i wont be writing a full review for this book :/

Review of The Gallery Assistant by Kate Belli:
The Gallery Assistant is a twisty, tense thriller that pulls you into a world of art, secrets, and danger. Kate Belli weaves a suspenseful tale full of lies, deceit, and shocking revelations. The deeper Chloe digs into the lies surrounding her, the more perilous her journey becomes. Will she uncover the truth—or become its next victim? A gripping read from start to finish.

Oooh! I enjoyed this one a lot more than I thought I would!

The book focuses on Chloe Harlow who, probably much like me, is struggling on the daily to get her life together 😂. We are dropped into the action the day after an all night party. Chloe can’t remember much of anything, only snippets of memories…but as the day unfolds the police come knocking. The host of the party, an up and coming artist that her gallery has just signed, is dead.

This was an anxious read for me – the pacing was spot on, and it was incredibly hard to put down when I just *had* to know what was going to happen next. The book takes place post 9/11 and that plays a large part of Chloe’s persona and the complete lack of “smart” technology 😂.

This book is smart, full of tension, well written and perfectly filled with twists and turns.

If you like thrillers, you will love this book.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for early arc of this book! Overall I really enjoyed it and would recommend it!

Thank you Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing thriller with a fantastic plot and a lot of suspense throughout the novel. As a reader, I felt engaged and invested and wanted to read more.

This was fun! It was more a slow burn thriller, but the short chapters and twists held my attention! Overall, I had fun!

Atmospheric, Intriguing, and Full of Charm

The Gallery Assistant by Kate Belli is an engaging mix of art-world mystery and character-driven drama. The setting is richly drawn, with just the right amount of glamour and grit to pull you into its world. The mystery unfolds with a satisfying pace, layered with tension, secrets, and a few clever twists that keep you guessing.

The protagonist is relatable and refreshingly grounded, and Belli does a great job developing her relationships and inner conflicts. While a few plot points felt a bit predictable, the storytelling and atmosphere more than compensate. The blend of art history and suspense makes this one a unique and enjoyable read.

Perfect for readers who love mysteries with strong female leads and a touch of sophistication.

I really enjoyed the art world part of this book. Very interesting and unique. A good cast of characters but I just wasn't wowed by the book. I enjoyed it but didn't find it to be a standout for me.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

Chloe wakes up after a late night partying, not able to remember much of the past night's events.

When the police arrive to her workplace the next morning, advising the party host is now dead, Chloe's life is sent into a tailspin.

Some nice twists and turns made for a fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Gallery Assistant by Kate Belli.

I found this to be a very compelling asmospheric and twisty thriller that kept me engaged and guessing throughout. The author is very good at keeping the pace moving and making the characters feel real.

The one drawback (and it is kind of big) - was the chapter with the very graphic and detailed description of the events on 9/11. It brought back a lot for me in a PTSD way, and it felt like the story was using the tragic events and lives lost in a manipulative manner for a fictional story.
There should definitely be a trigger warning at the start of the book.

This compelling mystery is set against post 9/11 NYC and the glamorous world of art galleries in the city. A murder has occurred, and no one quite knows what to make of it. Chloe Harlow is the assistant at an art gallery. The morning after a showing, she is greeted by NYPD police at her office door.. As we get deeper into the story, there are clues as to what really happened and secrets held. Chloe will be the one to unravel them. Recommended for public libraries

Set in the raw, unsettled days following September 11, 2001, The Gallery Assistant is a historical thriller that blends psychological tension with an undercurrent of grief and personal unraveling. The story centers on Chloe, a young woman deeply affected by the trauma of 9/11, who numbs her PTSD with alcohol while working as an assistant at a prestigious New York City art gallery. When one of the gallery’s artists is found murdered after a glamorous party Chloe attended—but can’t fully remember—she becomes entangled in a gripping police investigation and forced to reckon with both her past and present.

This novel offered a compelling premise and a richly atmospheric setting. I was intrigued by the art-world backdrop and appreciated the way Kate Belli wove in the emotional complexity of post-9/11 New York. I found myself enjoying the book whenever I picked it up; however, it didn’t demand to be devoured the way some thrillers do. I took frequent breaks and occasionally diverted to other reads. My biggest challenge was connecting with Chloe, her decision-making often left me frustrated, which made it difficult at times to stay fully engaged. That said, while I sometimes struggled with Chloe's choices, I recognize the strength in her portrayal—and readers like myself who appreciate complex, flawed protagonists working through trauma may find her journey especially compelling.

If you're intrigued by the art scene, enjoy mysteries laced with psychological depth, or are curious about fiction set in the emotional aftermath of 9/11, The Gallery Assistant may well resonate with you. While it wasn’t a standout for me personally, I’m still grateful for the opportunity to read it and believe it has a unique space in the historical thriller genre.

Thank you sincerely to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advance reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

really loved this thriller. the overall ideas were super cool and our main character was pretty well written: despite being one of the classic ideas, she really came to life this story. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Getting so drunk at a work party you can’t remember how you got home except you’re the last person to see someone alive? Not a good combination. Very fast paced, loved the mystery and how it unfolded

Chole wakes up and has no idea how she got home from a party the night before; as she goes into work the next day the artist whose house she was at was found dead. The story continues to unravel fast as Chole is thrown into a world of deceit, art theft and a tragic past that cripples her at every turn. I enjoyed the fast pace of this story and how the author used Chloes tragedy from 9-11 into the plot. I enjoyed how the author wove Chloe's story and how she is alone depending on her like minded friends to get through a tragic event and what is happening to her now. Poor Chole is constantly gaslighted by her friends and she doubts any of her own memories as they start to come back to her.

I enjoyed the art world murder mystery feel to this book and I did want to see what would happen to Chole at the end. The few things that got under my skin a little was the love interest that felt like it was just thrown in there. Chole has is pretty much an alcoholic in order to drownsout her stress and fears from her escaping the 9-11 attacks, but once she opens up to her love interest she stops drinking and seems to be all better. It just felt rushed but I was happy she was able to overcome a lot of things by finding someone who seemed to really care for her.

The ending wrapped up nicely and I love that there were no loose ends. I will definitely read another book by Kate Belli.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Publishing for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This book had me on the edge of my seat. I really liked how the author wove multiple layers of mystery into the story. Like Chloe, the protagonist, I felt very confused and had no idea what was going on at points. The story came together well and the ending was very satisfying. Chloe was a compelling character and her PTSD from the events of 9/11 and the night she can't remember were done very well. Her growth throughout the book was great and she ended up being nothing like I expected. Overall this is a twisty, mindboggling book that I think will be a hit with mystery and thriller lovers alike.

What a great book!! Very suspenseful and extremely unique. I really enjoyed not knowing the "answers" all the way through until the reveal. I also really enjoyed the characters who were fleshed out and were totally relatable.