The Venice Sketchbook

Post contains affiliate links; read my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Trigger warnings: war, antisemitism, POW camp, children taken from parents

In 2001, Caroline inherits property in Venice from her great-aunt and discovers her WWII adventures from clues in the apartment.

Caroline is going through separation from her husband in 2001. When 9/11 happens, her son is trapped in New York City with his father. She uses this time alone to travel to Venice, where her great-aunt Juliet left her an apartment.

Juliet's love of Venice started during a trip for her eighteenth birthday when she met the charming Leonardo da Rossi. She never forgets him, and on a trip with her students 10 years later, she spots Leo at an art event.

Juliet had dreamed of being an artist but had to leave art school when her family could no longer afford her tuition. She takes a position as an art teacher at an all-girls school and lives a solitary life. When an opportunity for one of the teachers to study in Venice comes up, Juliet jumps at the chance.

Juliet's life in Venice is easier, with art classes and other foreign students to spend time with outside of classes. She makes a friend with an Italian countess and art lover, who is also Jewish. The political situation is charged, with Mussolini's anti-Jewish laws and the threat of Hitler looming.

Juliet's situation becomes dire as the war progresses and it's unsafe to return to England. She must stay in Venice as an enemy alien and struggle to find food without a ration card.

Juliet's story is by far the more interesting of the two women, but Caroline's story also parallels Juliet's in many ways. The majority of the chapters focus on Juliet so the reader isn't left with Caroline for too long. This makes the novel fly by, as the chapters are focused on the wartime era.

Recommended for fans of historical fiction, women's fiction, and World War II fiction. Lovers of art and Venice will also find something to enjoy.

Rhys Bowen is the bestselling author of historical fiction and mysteries who is best known for her Royal Spyness mystery series. She is a British expat who lives in both California and Arizona.

Publisher: Lake Union

Length: 412 pages

Release Date: April 13, 2021

I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.