The Venice Ledger: An Adriana Villa Thriller

by Ernest Dempsey, Jason Whited (Editor), Anne Storer (Editor)

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2026

About the author

Host of AuthorsAccess podcast, president of Loving Healing Press Inc., author of numerous anthologies of health and healing."

Reviews

[Corallie Buchanan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally love anything by Ernest Dempsey. And I loved this one, right up until the very end where there was a massive plot mistake. One chapter speaks of Anna wanting to help Adrianna continue the quest to find the other missing artifacts, and Adrianna agreeing to let her help and essentially join her “team”., with Adrianna reflecting on how she normally works alone. Then the next chapter, she is saying “will I ever see you again”, with Adrianna answering “probably not”, and the narrative concluding with “Anna rebuilding her life and moving on etc..”

So is Anna joining Adrianna’s quests as a regular character or is she not and is in fact moving on with her life? The last two chapters told two completely different stories, and left two different plot conclusions.

I think Mr Dempsey needs to clear up this plot mistake because his books are normally awesome.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy the Adriana Villa stories. They are always exciting and full of history. This time she is involved with recovering a statutette stolen by the Nazis and she has located it for the family. When she is meeting with the dealer, she is almost shot, and now must run from assassins who killed him in front of her. She immediately becomes involved with an incredible mystery of a Nazi-stolen Vermeer, a Dutch family with a survivor of the camps, a mysterious Nazi code book of secrets, and an evil group of collectors called the Continuum with an army of mercenaries. All of the clues are sourced back to the Ahenenerbe, WWII, and a secret cave in the mountains. Very exciting thriller that is hard to put down. Looking forward to the next in this great series.

[Manie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ernest Dempsey with The Venice Ledger again created a top thriller ...again. This time with a very familiar side character from previous books namely Adriana Villa in the lead.
A valuable Vermeer painting got stolen eighty years ago by Nazi's and hidden into a hidden vault.
Eighty years passed. Then the young heir to that lost painting got framed for it's theft....and Adriana got drawn into the mystery.
And the suspense and the killing starts.
Although the only book presently dedicated to Adriana Villa as the calm, collected main character, it is hopefully but the start of an entire series. That would be stunning, more so if building further on the excellent and captivating plot of The Venice Ledger.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story but could have used better editing. Spoiler Alert - at the end of the story, Anna persuades Adriana to include her in tracking down other stolen artworks related to the Nazi looting in WWII. Adriana has always worked alone, but she agrees based on their collaboration in solving this theft and Anna's art knowledge and contacts will be useful in hunting other stolen works of art.
However, in the final chapter, Adriana attends the ceremony where the stolen Vermeer painting is given back to Anna's family after it was hidden for 80 years and then she chats with Anna and wishes her well. Anna asks, 'will I ever see you again,' and Adriana tells her it's not likely however if Anna ever needs her, she knows how to reach her. '
Oops, that is major editing error.

[Allison Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you wait and have goosebumps for a series that an author hasn't given you a book for so long in a blooming blinding series that holds no bonuds, he has succeeded in this new Adriana Villa book.

Then boom and the reason why is all explained.

Adriana is fearless, the complete badass, but when things didn't go her way in Venice she unwtittlly takes on a new prodigy in the form of Anna.
Is she friend or foe?

Take the journey with them both to discover the truth behind a secret that tells the lies and secrets hidden within.

Bravo Mr D for another fantastic read.

[Debbie Vetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting

Adriana Villa is a modern day Robin Hood. But instead of robbing the rich and giving to the poor she robs from the robbers and gives to whoever it belongs to. Trying to help a young woman that is wrongly accused of stealing a family painting takes them from Amsterdam to France, through Italy to Austria while being chased by Germans. Adriana is well versed in fighting, guns and knives. Never a dull moment. Definitely times of holding your breath. Great job. Thank you.

[James Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adriana is on a retrieval operation when it goes south. Without expecting it, she is thrust into another retrieval operation that has the potential for loss of life as well as devastating consequences for the future. The Continuum is after some artifacts from the Ahenenerbe. Will Adriana be able to stay ahead of the Continuum and stop them from reaching their goal/prize.

[Grant John · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Venice ledger

As usual for Ernest Dempsey a riveting exciting story one that immerses you into the story and makes you hold on as the action increases , love these stories about ancient artwork and stolen times

[betty brasen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adriana is Amazing

I was excited to see a new Adriana Villa thriller. This one involved carrying another person through a scary scenario. She doesn't flinch at the hard stuff and uses her mind to get out of dicey situations. Thank you Ernest for another great read!

[HsiaoWen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good premise and ideas but several plot points were mixed up/confusing, especially at the end. There were a lot of loose ends too. It felt like the author didn't read through the final draft to make sure everything lined up. Some things were also repetitive and the middle bit was also a bit boring.

[Wally Kallenback · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thriller for sure

I just love the way Ernest Dempsey writes in the stories that he creates. There’s nothing that he’s written that I haven’t loved and that includes the Venice ledger. I’m just hoping I haven’t read all his books.

[Kina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Another great book, from one of my favorite authors. I cannot wait for the rest to come out. Hurry up sir!!!

[richard hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

the first of many good reads

As usual a well told story , complex with great characters.
A first that has to be read.
Looking forward to the next one

[Peggy Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best ever by Ernest Dempsey

This book was exciting and inviting from the first words I read. Loved the rich historical details and descriptions of the environment.

[Trudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read Dempsey at his best

I love a story with action and purpose. I also love to learn something new while feeling like I'm involved

[Ric Darrell]

Compelling Story

The action kept moving at just the right pace. I was confused at the end about Anna's continued relationship with Adrianna.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good plot and action

A few redundancies in descriptives (diamonds on blue velvet, stars on black velvet) but other than that, a good romp thru history.

[Clarence Lavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

good but too short

See above, good read but done too soon. Like his other books well done! Looking forward to her next chapter.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralling

This book kept you in suspense from the beginning until the ending. Great characters. Wonderful setting throughout Europe. It was awesome!

[Penelope Sturm-Borkert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grezt

A great book! Excellent adventure and filled with many twists and turns. I have enjoyed all the Adriana Villa books and look forward to the next