What I'm Reading
September 11 edition
The Gallery Assistant by Kate Belli
I have to admit that I had mixed feelings when I began reading this book. As an art historian, I love mysteries set in the art world, particularly involving contemporary artists, so I was excited to read this book. However, the setting, New York City in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, gave me pause. I tend to avoid books set at this time, having lived through it. I need not have worried. Kate Belli did justice to both the art world and the time period.
Chloe, a gallery assistant with PTSD adding to her already precarious confidence, is a fitting homage to one aspect of the psyche pervasive in the city as the towers continued to burn, months later, a physical reminder of the smoldering remains of most New Yorkers’ collective sense of well-being. She turns to drinking excessively, which leads to black outs. One such incident ended with Chloe waking up unsure how she returned home and late, again, for work. When she finally arrives, she’s called in to her bosses’ office to answer questions about the party she had attended—the one hosted by the gallery’s newest artist, who has been murdered.
Chloe uses the skills she has been learning from her mentor to dig into clues left by the artist that no one else has noticed, leading her further into danger.
The mystery at the heart of Belli’s story is perfectly plotted and paced. There are so many nefarious characters (many surprisingly believable) who surround Chloe, a fact she only realizes incrementally, as the danger ratchets up. The twists and the ending are supremely satisfying. I could not put this book down.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Atria Books for the opportunity to read an advance review copy.
The Gallery Assistant is out October 14 and available for pre-order now.
Question: Where were you on September 11, 2001?
I took my kids to an introductory music class for the baby. At the end of the class more moms were coming in for the next class with the news. We went downstairs, past our preschool, and shared the news with our prior year teachers - one of whom had a brother as a cop at the towers; he ended up being okay, but the feelings of uncertainty were strong all around.
My hubby was working in Boston and everyone had been told to stay in place for a while, then eventually were sent home. We ended the day walking at an Audubon sanctuary and it was eerily quiet as no planes were flying overhead. In the days to come we listened at night as fighter jets patrolled the skies all night.
Multiple family friends suffered personal losses that day, which felt heightened in the collective grief of the nation. Another family had a brother in law who got hit by falling debris outside the tower. He was one of few who made it to the hospital for care. He was in intensive care in the city for months. Eventually they moved him closer to home and to get out of where there was still toxic dust in the air, and he passed away in December from his injuries and infections.
It was great to finally talk with you after way too many days when phone lines were restored. <3