The Venice SketchbookThe Venice Sketchbook
What it's about
A recently divorced woman inherits her beloved great-aunt's sketchbook and uncovers the mysteries of her great-aunt's star-crossed romance with a nobleman in World War II Venice.
Why it's worth reading
It was an Edgar Award finalist. Rhys Bowen writes absorbing, atmospheric historical fiction.
You'll love it if you liked
The Forgotten Garden
The Nightingale
Lilac GirlsGood to know
It alternates between the present and wartime Venice.
By the numbers
- Readers58 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics21 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller2 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz26 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Epic
If you like this, read next
Explore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →Quick answers
Is The Venice Sketchbook worth reading?
Yes. It was an Edgar Award finalist. It ranks #1,793 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 65.7 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Venice Sketchbook about?
A recently divorced woman inherits her beloved great-aunt's sketchbook and uncovers the mysteries of her great-aunt's star-crossed romance with a nobleman in World War II Venice.
How long does it take to read The Venice Sketchbook?
About 10 hours (412 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Venice Sketchbook?
If you liked it, try The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton, The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah or Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly.

















