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  • The Venice Sketchbook

  • Written by: Rhys Bowen
  • Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik
  • Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (108 ratings)

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The Venice Sketchbook

Written by: Rhys Bowen
Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik
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Publisher's Summary

Love and secrets collide in Venice during WWII in an enthralling novel of brief encounters and lasting romance by the New York Times best-selling 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 60 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.

©2021 Janet Quin-Harkin, writing as Rhys Bowen (P)2021 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Venice Sketchbook

Average Customer Ratings
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Oh Venice!

I loved this book. I longed for Venice and this historical, artistic milieu. I was sad when the book ended.

3 people found this helpful

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A Gem!

I absolutely loved it! Shed many tears towards the end..very well written. Highly recommended! 👏

2 people found this helpful

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Excellent read.

An excellent read that kept me interested throughout. Easy to follow and very well read by the narrator.

2 people found this helpful

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A trip to Venice

A love story, a mystery, and a history lesson all wrapped up into one wonderful novel. A truly enjoyable read.

1 person found this helpful

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A good book but not my favourite

I enjoyed the character of Juliet but not Caroline. I would have enjoyed the story more if it had centred only on Juliet.

Rhys Bowen is one of my favourite authors and I have loved many of her stand alone novels. This was my least favourite but still enjoyable.

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  • P
  • 2022-10-08

delightful!

Well crafted story with unexpected twists and turns throughout. I couldn't stop listening. I really enjoyed all the characters, who were marvellously human, each with their strengths and failures...real people that I'm glad I met.

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great

loved this story,as always rhs bowen delivers a great story with lots of history and great characters. I have been to Venice so esp. liked all the references to the place

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Tedious

I think there might be a story at some point but the characters and run up are so precious I am not interested in whatever story that follows. I quit.

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  • Sasha
  • 2021-05-19

Poor character and storyline development

If you like good character development and well thought out story lines, this is unfortunately not the book for you. Don’t let the prologue fool you - the book is not interesting, the ‘love’ between the characters is not at all developed, and the main characters are terribly frustrating and make the WORST decisions. I barely got through it. Save yourself the time, trust my review, and pass.

51 people found this helpful

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  • Elizabeth
  • 2021-07-25

This took a long time to get nowhere.

I almost gave up until they introduced the second timeline. Then, it never really caught up with the potential of this story, which was a great idea. I didn't mind that some parts never connected or finished, but we pass by rich characters and their storylines just to be left in the dark. Wasted potential. If I had been given more character development and information, as another reviewer mentioned, it might have been worth the ending. I won't recommend, but also won't stop someone who wants to read about Venice. Use a map and follow along, there is a lot of streets and sights mentioned.

35 people found this helpful

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  • Norah
  • 2021-04-15

A magical, heartbreaking tale

World War II fiction from the Italian perspective is becoming one of my favorites. The author drew me in to these complex people making the best decisions they could in the most devastating of circumstances. I am so sad the book ended. I am invested in the characters lives and desperately need to know more about Caroline and how “the rest of the story” goes. Well worth a credit!

28 people found this helpful

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  • SW Clemens
  • 2021-04-27

History, Mystery, Romance, Danger, Tragedy, Hope.

A solid story that spans generations. Great atmosphere. Rich characterizations. The only downside for me was the uneven narration that starts out with an exaggerated posh English accent in a sort of breathless, comedic delivery, before changing both tone and accent. However, to the narrator's credit, she did a good job of delineating the many characters, and did a credible job with male characters. Overall, very satisfying and worth your time.

19 people found this helpful

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  • PamO
  • 2021-04-28

Great historical romance/fiction stand alone

Rhys Bowen has another winner with The Venice Sketchbook. Following 2 separate timelines, we become immersed in the life of Juliette, an English ex-pat caught in Venice during WW2. In the present, Juliette’s great niece Carolyn goes to Venice to scatter Juliette’s ashes, and to try to unravel the secrets of her great aunts past. What follows is a tale of great love, great loss and triumph through inner strength.

16 people found this helpful

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  • Rebecca
  • 2021-04-20

Best book ever!!

I have read almost all of Rhys Bowen’s books. The Venice Sketchbook is one my most favorite and is an amazing book filled with twists and turns. It gives you the wonderful feeling of not wanting the book to ever end!! Thank you!!!!

15 people found this helpful

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  • Robin Kim
  • 2021-04-16

Another great stand-alone story by Rhys Bowen

I enjoyed the multiple time lines, the historical setting, and the love stories. Now I want to go to Venice!

12 people found this helpful

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  • BarbieAlaska
  • 2021-04-17

Beautiful, sad, lonely, haunting...

I have listened to dozens of WW2 books..

This one is very much one i will listen to again.

I wish there was more about how Great Auntie lived..even just two more paragraphs..

Good job!

11 people found this helpful

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  • Quinn
  • 2021-04-15

Another Excellent Story!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Both the interesting story and outstanding narration by Barrie Kreinik. I always look forward Rhys Bowen books!

9 people found this helpful

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  • N. Possas
  • 2021-06-29

A bit too much of a love story for my taste

There narration was fine but I wish I had known that this was romance novel before I started. Not my favorite genre and I wouldn't have bought the audiobook. Having said that, the characters were uneven and there were gaping holes in the storyline. Waste of a credit for me.

8 people found this helpful