Book cover of The Venice Sketchbook

Book description

"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…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The Venice Sketchbook as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I loved this book because at heart I’m a romantic and sometimes, I simply want to escape into a novel.

I’m drawn to stories of WWII, especially ones shrouded in mystery. This book’s main character, Julietta (Lettie), captivated me from the opening pages. Set in Venice, Italy, two parallel stories from two different time periods brought to life the old saying it is “better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.”

A haunting tale of loss, courage, and redemption, the story kept me on the edge of my seat and I found it hard to…

If you like intrigue, then welcome to Venice in 1938. This novel features a likable heroine in search of the solution to a mystery contained in a sketchbook. It’s full of art—both real and metaphorical. Set against the backdrop of impending war, this one is full of courage and heart.

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Book cover of Death and a Crocodile

Death and a Crocodile by Lisa E. Betz,

In ancient Rome, sensible women don’t investigate murders, but Livia Aemilia’s father is dead, and her innocent brother has been accused of the crime. What’s a girl to do? Find the criminal herself, obviously.

Livia and her spunky maidservant pound the ancient Roman pavements in search of the killer, with…

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