What do you think?
Rate this book
Love Spirits: What Happens in Venice: Book One
Louisa Mangotti is a gorgeous American lawyer and Interpol expert who, after being offered a job working with the international crime unit in Venice, receives a mysterious postcard from the Venetian Ghosts, the ancient protectors of the Republic. But Louisa assumes her bad-boy ex, Matteo, sent it in a quixotic attempt to gain her attention. Louisa may have dismissed the ghosts, but the ghosts aren’t quite done with her. When the bodies of two glassmakers wash up on Murano Island, the cryptic messages persist. Reluctantly, Louisa calls upon Matteo to help decipher the clues. And before she knows it, a flame that was never fully extinguished is rekindled. Sensing that her sister is in over her head, Barbara Mangotti rushes to the rescue, only to be lured away by two handsome Venetian men. With time running out, can the two beauties solve a crime that could threaten the city of Venice itself?
164 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 2014
1 person is currently reading
22 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 30, 2019
Note to self: never pick up a book rated by only 12 people before you.
I have a feeling this book is self-published and did not see a hand of an editor, it has spelling mistakes, especially in non-English words, missing spaces and weird grammar from time to time.
It's also full of American smugness, mysogyny and objectification of Italians. Its plot is a hot mess. I can't count the times I had my eyes rolling.
Venice totally did not deserve this book as its depiction.
I have a feeling this book is self-published and did not see a hand of an editor, it has spelling mistakes, especially in non-English words, missing spaces and weird grammar from time to time.
It's also full of American smugness, mysogyny and objectification of Italians. Its plot is a hot mess. I can't count the times I had my eyes rolling.
Venice totally did not deserve this book as its depiction.
September 7, 2017
Bella Bella!
This was incredible to read and be reminded of how Venice is just so wonderful. It can be cold but the city has warmth. Your life can be upside down but you get an eye from a good looking Italian and your life has been renewed. The food as the author explains is just comfort food. I am a good old tea drinker but choices of anything in Venice is overflowing. Well, I have to agree Diana you do it better than Rick Steves :)
This was incredible to read and be reminded of how Venice is just so wonderful. It can be cold but the city has warmth. Your life can be upside down but you get an eye from a good looking Italian and your life has been renewed. The food as the author explains is just comfort food. I am a good old tea drinker but choices of anything in Venice is overflowing. Well, I have to agree Diana you do it better than Rick Steves :)
September 19, 2014
What I enjoyed most about this book was the author’s description of Venice, of Italy, of the area as a whole…I would love to visit there one day, and this book just reinforces that wish. You literally feel as though you are there, you can picture it easily in your mind. And for some reason, it made me think of autumn (don’t ask me why), which is my favorite season. Further, I loved reading the inclusion of the Italian language. I don’t know if others would find the book as appealing as I do, seeing as I really, really want to travel there someday.
I enjoyed our main characters, Louisa and her sister Barbara, but there is something about Barbara that draws me to her more. Maybe the fact that she is the more responsible of the two (she feels). At any rate, I loved how she decided she was going to Venice and threw herself into going to visit.
You do get a sense of the mystery and the ghosts; however, to me this book seemed to be more about the locale, and character development. I’m intrigued by Massimo. Infuriated by Mateo. What is his DEAL? Ultimately, at the end of the book, I was ready to get into the mystery which I hope we get into in Book 2.
I had only one issue with the book and that was that the segues in some scenes were a bit confusing. One minute, it seemed we were getting Louisa’s thoughts but then no wait…we have moved right into Barbara’s thoughts. A bit vexing at times.
Looking forward to book two.
I enjoyed our main characters, Louisa and her sister Barbara, but there is something about Barbara that draws me to her more. Maybe the fact that she is the more responsible of the two (she feels). At any rate, I loved how she decided she was going to Venice and threw herself into going to visit.
You do get a sense of the mystery and the ghosts; however, to me this book seemed to be more about the locale, and character development. I’m intrigued by Massimo. Infuriated by Mateo. What is his DEAL? Ultimately, at the end of the book, I was ready to get into the mystery which I hope we get into in Book 2.
I had only one issue with the book and that was that the segues in some scenes were a bit confusing. One minute, it seemed we were getting Louisa’s thoughts but then no wait…we have moved right into Barbara’s thoughts. A bit vexing at times.
Looking forward to book two.
August 18, 2014
3 fangs
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock
The book follows the life of two sisters as one moves to Venice to work with the international crime unit after receiving a mysterious postcard from the Venetian Ghosts. The other sister follows after sensing her sister is in too deep.
The descriptive writing in the story is beautiful and allows you to create the scenes in your mind so even if you have never been to Venice you can imagine it with ease. The way in which the story develops keeps you intrigued and asking 'what will the next clue be?'
Before long Louisa is falling back into her usual pattern with her former lover to the frustration of her sister Barbara.
Barbara however is changing and evolving, becoming a different person. This storyline is just as interesting as her sisters.
This is a beautifully written story but if you want all of your answers in one book this is not the book for you. I was left frustrated at the abrupt ending but it does leave you waiting for the next segment.
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock
The book follows the life of two sisters as one moves to Venice to work with the international crime unit after receiving a mysterious postcard from the Venetian Ghosts. The other sister follows after sensing her sister is in too deep.
The descriptive writing in the story is beautiful and allows you to create the scenes in your mind so even if you have never been to Venice you can imagine it with ease. The way in which the story develops keeps you intrigued and asking 'what will the next clue be?'
Before long Louisa is falling back into her usual pattern with her former lover to the frustration of her sister Barbara.
Barbara however is changing and evolving, becoming a different person. This storyline is just as interesting as her sisters.
This is a beautifully written story but if you want all of your answers in one book this is not the book for you. I was left frustrated at the abrupt ending but it does leave you waiting for the next segment.
September 4, 2014
Bravo!! I want more. I visit Venice annually and this author has captured the essence of Venetian culture and it's people beautifully. Watching Louisa navigate the streets and alleyways of Venice as well as the clues left by the Venetian Ghosts is a great read. The interplay between Louisa and her sister Barbara fleshes out a common family dynamic that I could related with my own siblings. I found the male characters (the Italian men) both intriguing and infuriating for their sense of entitlement and bad boy ways. What will they do next to help or thwart Louisa in her quest to solve the mystery. The mysterious deaths, man trouble and sensual pleasures of Venice all carried me along for an easy and enjoyable read. I can't wait for the saga to continue in Book 2!!!! I give this book a five expresso rating.
August 5, 2015
As a frequent traveler to Venice, this author provides the best imagery of the city, its culture and people. As Louisa works her way through the web of Venetian streets and canals, she also has to navigate the city's ancient culture, exotic inhabitants and infuriating twists and turns. There is never an easy answer in Venice, whether asking for directions or "do you love me?" Anyone who likes a good mystery and loves to travel will adore this book. I can not wait for the next installment!!!!
October 9, 2014
I was given these two books as part of the "What Happens in Venice" Blog Tour and was delighted with them both! The writing is so well done, and so picturesque, you feel like you're right there, walking side by side with the characters. Wondrous story-telling with vivid and magical locations, spiced with romance and mystery, it's easy to get swept up. You just might fall in love with Venice, too.
September 12, 2014
I have never been to Venice. But now I feel drawn to the charm, romance, and mystery of the lagoon city and its ghostly past. Cachey visually captures the enticingly sensuous and dangerous attraction of the Venetian canals and culture. I can't wait for Book Two, "Lagoon Lure".
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews