I am a SUCKER for a 9/11 book - especially a thriller. I think it's such an important piece of our history - and while it wasn't the "focus" of the book, I love learning more things about 9/11 through things I read.

I loved this book - it was really great, I read it in 48 hours! Couldn't put it down. Highly recommended. I also learned ALOT of art facts - something I Know NOTHING about

Good book, A bit slow out of the gate but the rest made up for it. There was lots of plot twists and turns and an ending I didn't see coming. Great summer read.

I loved Chloe’s story and how twisty the author made it. It drew me in from the start and I read it quickly in just a few days. Looking forward to more from this author.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Kate Belli, and Atria Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always eager to explore the writing of authors new to me, I reached for this ARC by Kate Belli. A scintillating thriller that had me turning pages well into the night, Belli packs a bunch of action into this piece. Chloe Harlow wakes up after a night of partying, unable to remember what happened. When she arrives at her place of employment, she is tasked with preparing for an art exhibition for an up-and -coming artist. Soon thereafter, the police arrive to ask questions. The artist has been murdered and Chloe’s whereabouts remains a mystery. Chloe learns that there is more to the story and soon wonders if she is to be the messenger, delivering a truth after the fact, which might point towards the killer. Belli keeps the reader hooked with this strong thriller!

Chloe Harlow is late waking up after a night of drinking with friends and colleagues one morning. She has no idea how she got home or what happened, but is sure to catch flack if she does not make it to work on time. She rushes into the gallery where she is an assistant and begins her day. This is soon abruptly halted when the police arrive to ask questions. They share that a local artist being featured at the gallery has been found murdered, a woman who hosted the party the night before. Chloe’s lack of memory about the party proves to be a troubling point for everyone.

As Chloe tries to remember, she discovers only shards of what happened. She has been tasked with leading a memorial exhibition for the artist and discovers some troubling aspects to the artwork that will soon be on display. Is Chloe aware of a secret communication the artist sought to convey? Chloe digs deeper and finds other messages that are not easily discovered, leaving her to wonder if she has tripped onto something important that might explain the murder.

While Chloe tries to share what she knows, people around her begin to question her mental acuity, for a variety of reasons. Chloe must find her footing and share this news before she is ignored by everyone. A killer is out there and Chloe will have to put the pieces together, while wrestling with her own inner demons. Kate Belli delivers a strong story that captivates the reader until the final page turn.

I love discovering new authors, as they bring a sense of excitement to their work. Kate Belli did that for me with this piece, leaving as many questions as answers. Her narrative clips along, layering itself to bait the reader to forge onwards. The storytelling keeps the reader guessing and never quite sure what they might have stumbled upon. Characters are both relatable and full of backstories to differentiate themselves from one another. Plot points keep the reader guessing and provide a pathway for numerous surprises as a killer lurks in the shadows, while also in plain sight. I will likely be back to look at other work by Belli soon!

Kudos, Madam Belli, for a refreshing spin on the thriller novel.

I was provided an ARC by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Atria Marketing and Simon & Schuster for the galley copy.
I had previously read Kate Belli's Gilded Gotham series and enjoyed them all. BUT, she has certainly raised the bar with this one!!! Each time I thought I knew where the story was going, the author surprised me and led me down another path. I did not expect the ending but it all made sense. I will definitely recommend this to readers in my library.

i thought this concept was very intriguing! the plot was interesting and easy to follow. i liked the FMC, but sometimes she was too oblivious to what was happening in the story and that was very frustrating at some points. also, i liked the twists and turns, but they were predictable at some points, so they didn't put me on the edge of my seat. otherwise, this was a solid thriller book!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this opportunity!

The Gallery Assistant is a moody, atmospheric thriller that pulls you into the glittering yet shadowy world of New York’s high-end art scene in the early 2000s. Set just after the 9/11 attacks, the novel captures a city—and a protagonist—on edge.





3.50 stars
At the heart of the story is Chloe Harlow, a gallery assistant whose life begins to unravel after a party ends in the murder of a rising artist. Chloe wakes up with fragmented memories and a growing sense that something is very wrong. As she tries to piece together the events of that night, she’s drawn into a web of secrets, lies, and dangerous truths that blur the line between reality and paranoia.

What I found compelling is how the novel balances psychological suspense with a richly textured setting. The art world is portrayed as both glamorous and cutthroat, and Chloe’s internal unraveling mirrors the chaos around her. The post-9/11 backdrop adds a layer of tension and vulnerability that makes her journey feel even more urgent.

Kate Belli’s writing is immersive, with just enough ambiguity to keep you guessing. Fans of The Cloisters will likely enjoy the similar blend of intellectual intrigue and emotional intensity.

Thank you to Atria Books for an early copy to read & leave my honest trview.

Pub Date : Oct 14,2025

Chloe Harlow has been struggling with the after math of 9/11 living in New York City and working as an assistant in an art gallery. So when an up and coming artist is murdered the night after a party, Chloe is thrown into the center of the investigation, even though she can’t remember anything from that night. As she dives deeper into finding out what really happens, the secrets she uncovers affect the people around her. Will she be able to collect enough evidence to clear her name, or will she be next?

In THE GALLERY ASSISTANT, written by Kate Belli, Chloe Harlow wakes with a hangover and wonders how she gets home after a party. Ben, who shares living arrangements with his boyfriend and Chloe, is unable to help Chloe remember. Chloe works as an assistant at the Fletcher & Sons gallery. The police come to the gallery to speak to Chloe.

This book does not grab me. I don’t care about the characters or the plot. I keep moving through this book to give it a fair chance to capture my attention. It doesn’t work. I do think this writer still has a chance to improve. Sorry, but I will not be promoting this book. I still thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review and advance reader copy of THE GALLERY ASSISTANT.

Fast paced and thrilling, The Gallery Assistant offers a glimpse into the rarefied world of high stakes art. The attack on the World Trade Towers has just occurred and Brooklynite Chloe is trying to move on with her life, working in a Manhattan art gallery and surrounding herself with supportive friends. She's finding her niche as a art researcher, mentored by an avuncular colleague, when an artist's murder upends everything she thinks she knows. The plot centers on hidden messages, deceptions and Chloe's PTSD from 911, along with an interesting twist reminiscent of Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch. Highly recommended.

This book hit me hard in a lot of different ways. I lived in NYC and Brooklyn post-9/11, not during, but Chloe and I shared a lot of similar emotions - failing, floundering, refusing to move home, drinking to mask emotions, relying on your found family. The mystery was so strong and complex and interesting that I read the whole book on my day off. And even though she appears to not care for it, Belli made Chloe’s hometown Canton, OH, which is also mine, so… yay! Thanks to Emily Bestler Books/Atria for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this twisty, fast-paced suspense novel and was surprised by a lot of the reveals at the end! I’d definitely read more by this author.

Kate Belli’s The Gallery Assistant is a sleek, suspenseful mystery that perfectly blends the intrigue of a whodunit with the allure of the art world. Set against the glittering yet shadowy backdrop of New York’s elite gallery scene, the novel delivers a delicious cocktail of secrets, scandal, and high-stakes deception that kept me turning pages late into the night.

At the center of the story is Chloe, who finds herself entangled in a dangerous mystery when a glamorous new job at a prestigious gallery takes a dark turn. What begins as a dream opportunity quickly devolves into a tense game of trust, manipulation, and survival. Belli crafts Chloe’s character with nuance, making her both relatable and compelling as she navigates the hidden politics of the art world and the mounting danger surrounding her.

What truly sets this novel apart is how seamlessly it intertwines the beauty and complexity of art with the tension of a classic mystery. Belli’s background knowledge of art and curation shines through in every vivid description, from priceless masterpieces to the personalities who orbit them. This setting adds a rich, layered atmosphere to the already gripping plot, making each twist feel all the more dramatic and high-stakes.

Fans of traditional mysteries will appreciate the cleverly plotted clues and red herrings scattered throughout the story, which build to a satisfying and well-earned climax. The pacing is tight, the dialogue sharp, and the cast of characters delightfully enigmatic—everyone is a suspect, and no one is quite who they seem.

Whether you're a lover of fine art, a devourer of mysteries, or simply in search of a smart and stylish read, The Gallery Assistant delivers. It's a glamorous, gritty, and captivating mystery that proves Kate Belli is a writer to watch.

I really enjoyed this fast paced, art world mystery set in NYC in the months immediately following 9/11. Twisty and mysterious, the threads twine together in a way that makes sense and pays off. I would definitely recommend this smart and well written book!

Book had a lot of potential to be amazing but it was just an okay read for me which is why I rated it 3 stars. The concept was unique so I thought I would enjoy it more but I was let down. I didn’t get the anticipation, edge of my seat filling when the twists were revealed. There were some slow sections throughout the book as well which made it drag a bit.

This mystery/thriller was even better than I anticipated. The plot kept me guessing and I enjoyed the cast of characters. The art world setting was an added plus.

I had high hopes, but it just didn’t work for me. It was really boring throughout three quarters of the book. The fmc was completely oblivious, and it ruined the story. The ending was predictable. It felt super slow from the beginning only to be wrapped up with a rushed and convoluted ending. Not my favorite.

I wasn't so much into this book at first but I grew on me the more I read it. Once I got to where it picked up the story flowed together and everything started making sense in my head. I would definitely tell me friends to read this book.

This book had me from the start. I enjoyed this authors mystery thriller about a woman who has a severe drinking problem that is linked to PTSD from her experience with the 9/11 attacks! (Disclaimer: I was rattled because of you remember it shook us all) I cried in the chapter where she relived the horrible day.
I enjoyed the story immensely and the character was relatable on many counts.
This character Chloe wakes up from a night she can’t remember only to find she was in contact with an artist who has been murdered! As she investigates the story gets even more intense!

Thank you Netgalley and Atria books!

The Gallery Assistant by Kate Belli is a gripping and well-paced thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story combines art world intrigue with psychological suspense in a way that feels fresh and engaging. Kate Belli does a great job of building tension and creating complex characters who feel real and relatable.

The plot twists were satisfying and added layers of mystery without becoming over the top. The setting within the art gallery scene added an interesting backdrop that enriched the story’s atmosphere.

Overall, it’s a compelling read that I’d definitely recommend to fans of suspenseful thrillers with a strong emotional core.