• The Venice Sketchbook

  • By: Rhys Bowen
  • Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik
  • Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,897 ratings)

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The Venice Sketchbook  By  cover art

The Venice Sketchbook

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

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Captivating from page one

Loved the book and the narrator was wonderful complete with British accent.... the war had a lot of atrocities but humans are resilient as long as love and hope are present..

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Interesting plot and very good narrator

Very interesting parallel stories gradually merging together. Good descriptions of Venice is different decades. Enjoyable book and very well narrated.

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Artful twists and turns

I really got caught up in this book. I loved that it was set in Venice, a city I have visited. The author masterfully wove the story between Juliet and her aunt to tell a story of love and loss.

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A Precious Thoroughly Unexpected Pearl - Marvelous

Quite frankly, The Venice Sketchbook may hardly be classified as the type of literary work that I would voluntarily seek. Indeed, the sole reason, I purchased this outstanding oeuvre is due to an Audible offer pertaining to a relatively inexpensive item, the brief summary of which enticed my curiosity. How was I surprised immediately after the conclusion of the first episode, for I could not refrain from listening to one chapter after another, given that I fell in love with it; in fact, it took me less than two days to reach its delightful, subtle finale... Hence, I lack to appropriate words to suitably review this "work of art", and strongly suggest any one to consider emulating my actions... BRAVO!

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Loved it

Having been to Venice and in love with the city this story was incredible. I loved every second abs was so sad when it ended . I felt like I was there in Venice myself .

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True Romance

Such a wonderful story, and so well performed ~ truly a story of romance, intrigue, and resilience.

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Rhys Bowen’s best book yet

I have enjoyed all of Bowen’s books. The Venice Sketchbook is an extraordinary plot tapestry with fleshed out characters. It is a page turner.

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  • 05-02-21

Precious

If you are a romantic at heart, this is the book for you. Well written. I couldn’t stop listening. I would recommend it and would listen again. That’s how much I enjoyed it.

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It was a get away

Not a happy easy story.. but I loved the history. Learned some things I didn’t know

The character were love able.. and hate able..
So glad I listened

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Don’t pass this one up

If you have ever visited Italy … or want to please read this! The best story and couldn’t stop listening!
The best!

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