The Gallery Assistant
A Novel
Published on 14. October 2025
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-1-6680-9365-8 (ISBN)
Description
"A haunting, razor-sharp mystery...With an unforgettable protagonist and a plot that spirals into ever-deeper layers of intrigue." -Julie Clark, New York Times bestselling author of The Ghostwriter
This twisty and sinister thriller follows a New York art gallery assistant reckoning with her past and now trapped in a web of deceit after an up-and-coming painter is murdered-perfect for fans of Katy Hays and Julia Bartz.
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.
This twisty and sinister thriller follows a New York art gallery assistant reckoning with her past and now trapped in a web of deceit after an up-and-coming painter is murdered-perfect for fans of Katy Hays and Julia Bartz.
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.
Reviews / Votes
"A haunting, razor-sharp mystery set in the charged aftermath of 9/11, Kate Belli's THE GALLERY ASSISTANT is as intoxicating as the art world it explores. With an unforgettable protagonist and a plot that spirals into ever-deeper layers of intrigue, Belli crafts a haunting story about memory, truth, and the dangerous secrets hidden beneath the surface. A stunning work that lingers long after the final page." -- Julie Clark, New York Times bestselling author of THE GHOSTWRITER "A haunting, post-9/11 psychological thriller that combines the glittering facade of New York's art world with the messy, painful aftermath of trauma." * The Seattle Times * "A taut, tightly-plotted thrill ride! Belli expertly dials up the tension as readers race toward a shocking, twisty conclusion. The prose is smart, sharp and compelling; THE GALLERY ASSISTANT is not to be missed." -- Sophie Stava, critically acclaimed author of COUNT MY LIES "A fast-paced thriller set in the New York art world. THE GALLERY ASSISTANT kept me guessing until the end." -- Megan Goldin, bestselling author of DARK CORNERS "Absolutely riveting. The Gallery Assistant kept me on the edge of my seat--and up too late. Kate Belli is a master of pulse-pounding storytelling." -- Kit Frick, critically acclaimed author of FRIENDS AND LIARS "Fans of Paula Hawkins's The Girl on the Train and A. J. Finn's The Woman in the Window will find that Belli makes equally brilliant use of her own possibly unreliable narrator . . . Splendidly entertaining . . . Perfectly pairs compelling suspense with an intriguing protagonist." * Library Journal * "A twisty, emotional mystery about grief, greed, and trauma. There are plenty of classic mystery tropes, including red herrings, to keep readers guessing until the end. For fans of Lisa Unger and Lucy Foley." * Booklist * "Engagingly clever." * Kirkus Reviews * "I promise you, the twists will shock you." * Bookstr (starred review) * "A powerful, sophisticated novel of suspense . . . For fans of Katy Hays and Elizabeth Kaufman." * firstCLUE *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Simon & Schuster
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-6680-9365-8 (9781668093658)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
10/2025
Atria/Emily Bestler Books
€14.83
Available for download
Person
Kate Belli is the author of The Gallery Assistant and the widely praised Gilded Gotham historical mystery series. She holds a doctorate in art history and has variously worked as an antiques appraiser, a museum curator, and a college professor. Kate is currently a gallery director at a Pennsylvania college. Find out more at KateBelli.com.