The Gallery Assistant: A Novel

by Kate Belli

1 pages, Audio CD

Published October 14, 2025

About the author

Kate Belli writes thriller and historical mystery. She has lived all over, from Florence, Italy, to Brooklyn, New York, to the Deep South, to a cottage next to Monet’s gardens in Northern France. Today she lives and works in Central Pennsylvania with her husband and son. When not writing, Kate works as a professor or a yogi, depending on the day.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have no idea why certain books get pushed to the bottom of my TBR pile. The Gallery Assistant just did not move up in my queue until a few days ago and to say that I was surprised by the beginning and much of the book would be an understatement.

I wonder how many young, and maybe not so young, people wonder how they got home on any given night when they stay for one more round and end up having one too many. I especially wonder about those who experience that drink induced amnesia, who try to put the pieces together while getting ready for work, dodging the blinding headache and bouts of nausea. And this story really made me wonder about anyone who went though all that and then receives the gut churning news that someone has been murdered. Well that may be a step too far for many, but it is the story that is being investigated in this book.

The Gallery Assistant would have been a home run, five star, mystery if I didn’t dislike the main character so much. Suffering from panic attics and nightmares from 9-11 and resulting PTSD figure heavily throughout, but the lack of support and treatment for these mental health issues - totally lacking. So, is the murder “another one-line tragedy” in a city where these things happen daily or is it going to morph into something more complex and sinister?

The story was fairly well plotted and executed but I just could not get past my dislike and disbelief of the characterization of the protagonist. Thanks to Emily Bestler Books / Atria and NetGalley for a copy.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chloe Harlow has a dream job working as an art assistant at an exclusive Upper East Side gallery. But after a glamorous party at the home of the gallery’s newest up and coming artist, she wakes up hungover with a horrible headache and no idea what happened the night before. She doesn't even how she made it home. But when she arrives at work, she’s shocked to learn that up and coming artist was murdered sometime during the party—and now the police are questioning everyone. With her memory clouded by alcohol and anxiety, Chloe struggles to piece together her statement. Determined to uncover the truth, she begins her own search for answers—both about what really happened that night and about the mysterious life of the man who’s now gone. This is a suspenseful thriller set in the glamourous art world! The twists kept me hooked, and the characters made this a great read. If you like character-driven mysteries with plenty of intrigue. I definitely recommend this one. This was my first time to read Kate Belli, I will definitely be looking to read more of her books. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy.

[lori pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Chloe Harlow has an incredible job as an art assistant at an exclusive Upper East Side gallery. But the morning after a party at their newest artist’s home, she wakes up terribly hungover, and has disturbingly sketchy memories of the night before. She doesn’t even remember how she got home. Once she arrives at work, she discovers that their budding artist was murdered at some point during the previous night’s party and the police are questioning everyone. Unfortunately for Chloe, she has trouble giving a statement since her memories of last night are so hazy. Chloe decides to do her own investigation into the details of the party as well as learn more about this dead artist.

What a suspenseful and entertaining thriller! The art world was a cool setting as well. Definitely a few twists and turns in this one! This is a solid read for fans of character-driven stories. HIghly recommend!

[Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Gallery Assistant is a moody, immersive mystery that draws readers into the glamorous yet ruthless world of the art scene. Chloe Harlow’s fragmented memories from a party and her slow unraveling of that night’s events build genuine suspense and keep the tension simmering.

That said, the novel doesn’t completely live up to its promise. The plot meanders at times, with certain storylines feeling repetitive or underexplored, and Chloe’s uncertainty occasionally hampers the narrative momentum instead of intensifying it. While the resolution ties up the main threads, it lacks the punch needed to fully satisfy the suspenseful buildup.

[Karen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow-burn mystery thriller set in New York post 9/11 that follows a gallery assistant dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy and trying to piece together the reason of a successful artist’s death. Her current lifestyle doesn’t make decipherable truths from lies and brings much distrust. The flashbacks and single PoV provided a gripping tale, with an action-packed punch of an ending.
The sole female narrator, Devon Sorvari, did a great job capturing the dialogue and actions Chloe as she grappled with her past and present.
Thanks to the publisher for the eARC and ALc.

[Ashley B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book.

The Gallery Assistant pulled me in right away with its moody art-world setting and twisty mystery. Chloe is a messy but interesting main character, and I liked slowly piecing together what really happened along with her. It’s a solid, engaging read with enough suspense and surprises to earn a strong 4 out of 5 stars.

[Cathe Fein Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solid thriller about Chloe who is working in a gallery when an artist they are representing gets murdered. She just may have been the last person to see the artist alive but Chloe was blackout drunk and has only hazy memories of the evening.

[Cris Mccoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. The Only down side was all the seemingly random characters.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was great! A good thriller with a post-9-11 setting.