The Venice Sketchbook: A Novel by Rhys Bowen
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The Venice Sketchbook: A Novel

by

Rhys Bowen

(Author)

4.5

-

62,207 ratings


“Rhys Bowen crafts a propulsive, unexpected plot with characters who come vibrantly alive on the page.” ―Mark Sullivan, author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky

Love and secrets collide in Venice during WWII in an enthralling novel of brief encounters and lasting romance by the New York Times bestselling author of The Tuscan Child and Above the Bay of Angels.

Caroline Grant is struggling to accept the end of her marriage when she receives an unexpected bequest. Her beloved great-aunt Lettie leaves her a sketchbook, three keys, and a final whisper…Venice. Caroline’s quest: to scatter Juliet “Lettie” Browning’s ashes in the city she loved and to unlock the mysteries stored away for more than sixty years.

It’s 1938 when art teacher Juliet Browning arrives in romantic Venice. For her students, it’s a wealth of history, art, and beauty. For Juliet, it’s poignant memories and a chance to reconnect with Leonardo Da Rossi, the man she loves whose future is already determined by his noble family. However star-crossed, nothing can come between them. Until the threat of war closes in on Venice and they’re forced to fight, survive, and protect a secret that will bind them forever.

Key by key, Lettie’s life of impossible love, loss, and courage unfolds. It’s one that Caroline can now make right again as her own journey of self-discovery begins.

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ISBN-10

154202711X

ISBN-13

978-1542027113

Print length

411 pages

Language

English

Publisher

Lake Union Publishing

Publication date

April 12, 2021

Dimensions

5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches

Item weight

2.31 pounds


Popular Highlights in this book

  • You cannot live someone else’s life. Your life is what you make of it. You have to decide what you want.

    Highlighted by 1,174 Kindle readers

  • Experience makes one come to terms with life, to be at one with the mind and the heart. And most people are suffering in some way.

    Highlighted by 1,015 Kindle readers

  • I survived. Her grandmother gave a sad little smile. Most of us survive the hardest things. We are quite resilient.

    Highlighted by 290 Kindle readers


Product details

ASIN :

B08CV9SPDQ

File size :

5751 KB

Text-to-speech :

Enabled

Screen reader :

Supported

Enhanced typesetting :

Enabled

X-Ray :

Enabled

Word wise :

Enabled


Editorial Reviews

“A clever prologue referring to Romeo and Juliet sets the stage for Bowen’s…diverting romantic adventure in Venice, complete with intrigue, mystery, and, woe…This novel’s engaging entertainment is enhanced by its dual time line that uncovers Juliet’s secrets, and a plot enlivened by coincidences and romance. A must-read for Bowen fans and historical fiction enthusiasts.” ―Library Journal (starred review)

“Bowen’s vivid storytelling style holds readers enrapt…Bowen has written a tender, poignant story balancing dark and light.” ―Historical Novel Society

“The Venice Sketchbook is that rare book, both epic and personal, and utterly compelling. Two women, decades apart, escape to Venice, each forced to grapple with the influence of world events on her own life. This is a tale brimming with secrets, romance, and possibilities, cast against the colorful setting of irresistible Venice. I was utterly captured.” ―Barbara O’Neal, bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids and The Lost Girls of Devon

About the Author

Rhys Bowen is the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty novels, including Above the Bay of Angels, The Victory Garden, The Tuscan Child, and the World War II–based In Farleigh Field, the winner of the Macavity and Left Coast Crime Awards for Best Historical Mystery Novel and the Agatha Award for Best Historical Mystery. Bowen’s work has won twenty honors to date, including multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards. Her books have been translated into many languages, and she has fans around the world. A transplanted Brit, Bowen divides her time between California and Arizona. To learn more about the author, visit www.rhysbowen.com.

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About the authors

Rhys Bowen

Rhys Bowen

Rhys Bowen is the New York Times bestselling author of two historical mystery series as well as several internationally bestselling historical novels, two of which were nominated for Edgar Award

Rhys was born in Bath, England and educated at London University but now divides her time between California and Arizona. Her books have been nominated for every major mystery award and she has won twenty of them to date, including five Agathas.

She currently writes two historical mystery series, each very different in tone. The Molly Murphy mysteries feature an Irish immigrant woman in turn-of-the-century New York City. These books are multi-layered, complex stories with a strong sense of time and place and have won many awards including Agatha and Anthony. There are 19 books so far in this series plus three Kindle stories, Rhys’s daughter, Clare Broyles, now cowrites the series with her

Then there is Lady Georgie, She's 35th in line to the throne of England, but she's flat broke and struggling to survive in the Great Depression. These books are lighter and funnier than Molly's adventures. They poke gentle fun at the British class system--about which Rhys knows a lot, having married into an upper class family rather like Georgie's.

As a child Rhys spent time with relatives in Wales. Those childhood experiences colored her first mystery series, about Constable Evans in the mountains of Snowdonia.

Her books have been translated into over 30 languages

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Reviews

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

62,207 global ratings

Melody

Melody

5

Well written, hard to put down

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2024

Verified Purchase

The description of pre WWII Venice, Italy, the mystery, and love story were amazing. It was clever how the author was able to give the reader insight into the main protagonist while developing each character around her to an extent where the reader develops strong bonds with each one. A well-written, thoroughly enjoyable read.

2 people found this helpful

Kindle CustomerMary

Kindle CustomerMary

5

War history

Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2024

Verified Purchase

Page turner!! Couldn't stop reading. This novel could be classified as suspenseful. I was captivated by both women's stories. Amazing

2 people found this helpful

Diane

Diane

5

Another great read

Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2024

Verified Purchase

Fantastic story although thrilling and heartbreaking at the same time. It also go to ponder what are your families true stories and adventures.

Amazon Customer

Amazon Customer

5

Great book

Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2024

Verified Purchase

Book is easy to read and wonderful if you have ever ben to Venice, and even if you have not!!

Kathyinozarks

Kathyinozarks

5

Great Story

Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2024

Verified Purchase

This is the first book I had read by this author. Loved the story the way it was put together back and forth with the time line. Did not want the book to end The characters were so real, I would have loved to meet Leo if he was "real" person. I ended up reading this a second time, as I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything, since I read allot when I can't sleep. I am glad I did. At the end of the book I wanted more-would love if the author continued their story in another book

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4 people found this helpful

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