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The Lost Daughter of Venice: evocative new historical fiction full of romance and mystery
Come to Venice. Please, Phoebe, do not fail me.
'Lingers in the heart long after the final page is turned . . . a must read for anyone who wants to be absorbed as well as utterly enchanted' Carol McGrath
Venice, 1919
Seventeen years ago, the grand Venetian Palazzo degli Angeli was Phoebe Wyndham's home; now, the neglected walls of the palazzo are just a haunting reminder of all she has lost.
Arriving back in Italy after a plea from her estranged relative, the Contessa di Sebastiano, the recently widowed Phoebe is shocked to discover her aunt is dead and the palazzo now belongs to her.
All she wants to do is sell the property and return home. However, when a dark family secret is exposed, the shocking deception rocks Phoebe to her very core, and she vows not to leave the City of Water without first unravelling the truth from the lies.
As Phoebe searches for answers, she finds herself growing closer to two very different men. But, when her camera catches something more sinister than the faded grandeur of Venice, Phoebe begins to question who she can really trust and whether her aunt's death was truly an accident after all . . .
Why do readers love Charlotte Betts?
'Lush, romantic and full of intrigue' Tracy Rees, Richard & Judy bestselling author
'A deeply romantic novel whose vivid characters will linger in your mind' Margaret Kaine
'Romantic, poignant and gripping . . . a fabulous holiday read' Deborah Swift
'A stunning and captivating read . . . full of drama, love, loss and life' Book Literati
'Romantic, engaging and hugely satisfying' Katie Fford
'A compelling story, beautifully written and brought alive with rich historical detail' Liz Harris
'Lingers in the heart long after the final page is turned . . . a must read for anyone who wants to be absorbed as well as utterly enchanted' Carol McGrath
Venice, 1919
Seventeen years ago, the grand Venetian Palazzo degli Angeli was Phoebe Wyndham's home; now, the neglected walls of the palazzo are just a haunting reminder of all she has lost.
Arriving back in Italy after a plea from her estranged relative, the Contessa di Sebastiano, the recently widowed Phoebe is shocked to discover her aunt is dead and the palazzo now belongs to her.
All she wants to do is sell the property and return home. However, when a dark family secret is exposed, the shocking deception rocks Phoebe to her very core, and she vows not to leave the City of Water without first unravelling the truth from the lies.
As Phoebe searches for answers, she finds herself growing closer to two very different men. But, when her camera catches something more sinister than the faded grandeur of Venice, Phoebe begins to question who she can really trust and whether her aunt's death was truly an accident after all . . .
Why do readers love Charlotte Betts?
'Lush, romantic and full of intrigue' Tracy Rees, Richard & Judy bestselling author
'A deeply romantic novel whose vivid characters will linger in your mind' Margaret Kaine
'Romantic, poignant and gripping . . . a fabulous holiday read' Deborah Swift
'A stunning and captivating read . . . full of drama, love, loss and life' Book Literati
'Romantic, engaging and hugely satisfying' Katie Fford
'A compelling story, beautifully written and brought alive with rich historical detail' Liz Harris
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2023
16 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Betts
20 books177 followersCharlotte Betts discovered a passion for writing after her five children had grown up and left her in peace. Demanding careers in hotel design and property force her to be inventive in finding time to write but she has achieved seven novels in eight years. One of her short stories was published in Scribble and others short-listed by Writers’ News and Real Writers’. She has won first prize in five short story competitions and wrote a regular column on interior design for The Maidenhead Advertiser for two years. She is a member of WordWatchers http://www.wordwatchers.net/ and the Romantic Novelists’ Association.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 10, 2023
An easy read, protagonist was good, the plot had potential - Venice has so much to offer in terms of atmosphere and romance, yet the descriptions seemed rushed and generalised, more could have been gained from the environment itself , a great shame for such a beautiful city, ridiculous ending. Disappointing on the whole.
June 19, 2023
When Phoebe returns to the Venice Palazzo owned by her aunt she is tentatively hoping for a reconciliation after 17 years. Instead she finds her aunt has died suddenly, her sister hates her and now she is the sole beneficiary of her aunt's will. Phoebe is stuck between trying to do the right thing for her family but also look after herself. Being back in Venice reveals secrets about her past and a hunt for the truth.
Well written and engaging historical mystery. There are some really nice elements in this that keep the story moving along - set in 1919 the shadow of the war is everywhere especially in the injured men begging throughout Venice, the history of Venice's canals and Palazzo's and Phoebe's career as a photographer gives her a way of looking at the city that reveals things differently.
Well written and engaging historical mystery. There are some really nice elements in this that keep the story moving along - set in 1919 the shadow of the war is everywhere especially in the injured men begging throughout Venice, the history of Venice's canals and Palazzo's and Phoebe's career as a photographer gives her a way of looking at the city that reveals things differently.
June 15, 2023
I have GOT to give this book 5 stars. The descriptions of Venice are so well done, that I could totally imagine that I was right there with the Narrator (Main Character POV) as she travelled around the City of Canals, both on foot and by gondola or vaporetto.
This story is set in the city of Venice in 1919 and 1920 and basically deals with the aftermath of World war 1. Including the Spanish flu pandemic.
It involves Phoebe Wyndham who has been called home to Venice by her aunt Lavinia who basically raised Phoebe and her sister, Eveline, after they were left as orphans at the young age of 10 years old.
At age 17, Phoebe slept with a young man named Lorenzo who had plans to marry Phoebe, but when Lorenzo's mother found out his plans she flew into a rage and sent him away. When Phoebe discovered that she was pregnant she too was sent away to have her baby in private. Phoebe was drugged during her labour and after she recovered, she was told that her baby had died.
Phoebe was also married off to an American businessman and sent to New York where she eventually developed a passion for Photography. She began taking scenic photos and putting them into coffee table books, which sold very well. This marriage was purely a business arrangement to cover up the fact that John Wyndham was a homosexual and that his best friend and business partner was also his lover. John died at the Somme during the great war and Phoebe inherited his estate.
Then came the summons to return home to Venice. Upon her arrival at the Palazzo home, Phoebe is shocked to learn that her aunt had drowned in the canal just one day earlier.
What happens in Venice is a matter of Lies and mis-communications in an era where shameful secrets must be kept in order to avoid the scandals and the gossip.
This story is set in the city of Venice in 1919 and 1920 and basically deals with the aftermath of World war 1. Including the Spanish flu pandemic.
It involves Phoebe Wyndham who has been called home to Venice by her aunt Lavinia who basically raised Phoebe and her sister, Eveline, after they were left as orphans at the young age of 10 years old.
At age 17, Phoebe slept with a young man named Lorenzo who had plans to marry Phoebe, but when Lorenzo's mother found out his plans she flew into a rage and sent him away. When Phoebe discovered that she was pregnant she too was sent away to have her baby in private. Phoebe was drugged during her labour and after she recovered, she was told that her baby had died.
Phoebe was also married off to an American businessman and sent to New York where she eventually developed a passion for Photography. She began taking scenic photos and putting them into coffee table books, which sold very well. This marriage was purely a business arrangement to cover up the fact that John Wyndham was a homosexual and that his best friend and business partner was also his lover. John died at the Somme during the great war and Phoebe inherited his estate.
Then came the summons to return home to Venice. Upon her arrival at the Palazzo home, Phoebe is shocked to learn that her aunt had drowned in the canal just one day earlier.
What happens in Venice is a matter of Lies and mis-communications in an era where shameful secrets must be kept in order to avoid the scandals and the gossip.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2025
I picked this book up at the Museo Correr in Venice, hoping to have a good historical novel with the right setting. In that regard, Betts certainly delivered; she captures the ambience of the city's architecture through the lens of Phoebe, an accomplished photographer from London. I also appreciated the amount of research that Betts put into each part of the process of photography.
Unfortunately, that's basically all this book has going for it. The writing was incredibly dull, with a tell-not-show model that left the characters and scenes feeling like ideas that hadn't left the drawing board. The plot was slow, even in the more exciting sections. Though I liked the message that women can support themselves, should marry for love, and not feel pressured by others into life decisions, at the same time the class dynamic between Phoebe, who was independently wealthy, and her much more impoverished servant and even sister, left me cringing. Valentina was the archetypical maid who couldn't imagine a life outside domestic service. She and her husband had no character traits beyond their jobs. And though the reviews on the back cover insist the novel is "deeply romantic," the romance subplot was so underbaked that I failed to care about the main couple.
Despite my complaints, however, I did have the motivation to stick through to the end of the book, to see the mini-mystery reach a resolution. I don't think I'd recommend this to anyone unless they were traveling to Venice and wanted something set therein.
Unfortunately, that's basically all this book has going for it. The writing was incredibly dull, with a tell-not-show model that left the characters and scenes feeling like ideas that hadn't left the drawing board. The plot was slow, even in the more exciting sections. Though I liked the message that women can support themselves, should marry for love, and not feel pressured by others into life decisions, at the same time the class dynamic between Phoebe, who was independently wealthy, and her much more impoverished servant and even sister, left me cringing. Valentina was the archetypical maid who couldn't imagine a life outside domestic service. She and her husband had no character traits beyond their jobs. And though the reviews on the back cover insist the novel is "deeply romantic," the romance subplot was so underbaked that I failed to care about the main couple.
Despite my complaints, however, I did have the motivation to stick through to the end of the book, to see the mini-mystery reach a resolution. I don't think I'd recommend this to anyone unless they were traveling to Venice and wanted something set therein.
August 19, 2023
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Award-winning author Charlotte Betts is on dazzling form with her latest romantic historical novel, The Lost Daughter of Venice.
Phoebe Wyndham was shocked to her core when she received a letter from her Aunt Lavinia begging her to return to the Palazzo degli Angeli in Venice. The two women had been estranged for a very long time and her aunt’s urgent missive had prompted Phoebe to leave everything behind in New York and to make the journey to Venice. Having parted acrimoniously, Phoebe isn’t sure what sort of reception she will get, however, she is heartbroken when she realizes that she’s arrived in Venice far too late and that the Palazzo degli Angeli is getting ready to bury their chatelaine. Phoebe cannot believe that her aunt is dead, however, she quickly discovers that there is another shock coming her way when it transpires that she’s been left the Palazzo in Lavinia’s will.
Phoebe’s sister Evelyn is absolutely furious. Having lived with Lavinia and been a constant in her aunt’s life, she had assumed that the Palazzo would come to her so she is incandescent with rage when she finds out that she’s been left with nothing. She cannot believe that her sister has stolen her inheritance right from under her nose. Yet, little does Evelyn realise that there is a very good reason why Lavinia wanted Phoebe to carry on the family legacy. A reason that is going to set in motion a series of shocking events that will have devastating repercussions for them all…
Phoebe had only planned on a quick visit to Venice; she never imagined that she would find herself having to attend her aunt’s funeral and that she would be left the Palazzo. When her hopes for a quick sale are dashed, Phoebe soon finds herself entangled in a web of lies, secrets and deceptions that will test her mettle and compel her to face up to some uncomfortable truths about her family. As she tries to separate fact from fiction, Phoebe grows close to two different men. But she needs to be careful whom she can trust as it transpires that her aunt might not have died of natural causes and if she doesn’t watch her step, Phoebe could end up suffering a similar fate…
Charlotte Betts writes beguiling, sweeping and enthralling historical novels that once you started reading, you simply cannot put down and she has done it again with her latest novel, The Lost Daughter of Venice. A captivating tale that takes you back in time to the beginning of twentieth century, this evocative and enjoyable historical novel is full of atmosphere, tension, jeopardy and passion and kept me glued to its pages until the very end.
A spellbinding novel from a master storyteller, The Lost Daughter of Venice is another surefire winner by Charlotte Betts.
Award-winning author Charlotte Betts is on dazzling form with her latest romantic historical novel, The Lost Daughter of Venice.
Phoebe Wyndham was shocked to her core when she received a letter from her Aunt Lavinia begging her to return to the Palazzo degli Angeli in Venice. The two women had been estranged for a very long time and her aunt’s urgent missive had prompted Phoebe to leave everything behind in New York and to make the journey to Venice. Having parted acrimoniously, Phoebe isn’t sure what sort of reception she will get, however, she is heartbroken when she realizes that she’s arrived in Venice far too late and that the Palazzo degli Angeli is getting ready to bury their chatelaine. Phoebe cannot believe that her aunt is dead, however, she quickly discovers that there is another shock coming her way when it transpires that she’s been left the Palazzo in Lavinia’s will.
Phoebe’s sister Evelyn is absolutely furious. Having lived with Lavinia and been a constant in her aunt’s life, she had assumed that the Palazzo would come to her so she is incandescent with rage when she finds out that she’s been left with nothing. She cannot believe that her sister has stolen her inheritance right from under her nose. Yet, little does Evelyn realise that there is a very good reason why Lavinia wanted Phoebe to carry on the family legacy. A reason that is going to set in motion a series of shocking events that will have devastating repercussions for them all…
Phoebe had only planned on a quick visit to Venice; she never imagined that she would find herself having to attend her aunt’s funeral and that she would be left the Palazzo. When her hopes for a quick sale are dashed, Phoebe soon finds herself entangled in a web of lies, secrets and deceptions that will test her mettle and compel her to face up to some uncomfortable truths about her family. As she tries to separate fact from fiction, Phoebe grows close to two different men. But she needs to be careful whom she can trust as it transpires that her aunt might not have died of natural causes and if she doesn’t watch her step, Phoebe could end up suffering a similar fate…
Charlotte Betts writes beguiling, sweeping and enthralling historical novels that once you started reading, you simply cannot put down and she has done it again with her latest novel, The Lost Daughter of Venice. A captivating tale that takes you back in time to the beginning of twentieth century, this evocative and enjoyable historical novel is full of atmosphere, tension, jeopardy and passion and kept me glued to its pages until the very end.
A spellbinding novel from a master storyteller, The Lost Daughter of Venice is another surefire winner by Charlotte Betts.
August 7, 2023
Discover the locations in the novel here
Charlotte Betts is an author I really feel deserves to be more high-profle and more ‘everyone is reading her’ as she has a very unique skill. She can write, boy can she write, but she transports with her pen like no other. She paints scenes with her paintbrush and then transports the reader even further with the words swirling on the page.
Take this novel – we head to Venice but you honestly get to go back in time to Venice, to the palazzos and ride a gondola. You smell the canals, eat the food and sit next to the characters. This novel was one of the most visual of hers I have read and that is some feat. It played in my mind like a film and I was IMMERSED in every way.
The story of a girl returning to Venice after many years away was both poignant and raw. Phoebe answers a plea to return, only to find that her estranged aunt, a Contessa no less, has left her a Palazzo. She attempts to sell it but then discovers her new home is a pandora’s box of deep, dark family secrets.
Phoebe’s story – her relationships with her family – is very moving and poignant. The story flips to when we meet her leaving Venice in the first place and then, years later when she returns. The style of the novel really fitted and enhanced the plot and it made for a very exciting and well-paced read.
There is so much to enjoy here – a mystery, complex characters and a look at the relationships a girl can have with her family. For me, the scene setting stole the show but all together, the final picture is really one that deserves to light up the big screen.
July 2, 2023
A good historical fiction set in Venice after the WWI, a compelling story that mixes family saga, secrets, miscommunications, old and new loves, and a lot of surprises
I was hooked since the first pages and I liked Phoebe, the girl who went away, and the atmospheric description of Venice.
There’s a story and there’s the big history in a moment when everything is changing and nothing what used to be.
Phoebe discovers her long estranged aunts left her Venice palace to her.
It’s a beginning of a story that goes back in time and makes us know what Phoebe’s she was past and how became a famous photographer. The eye of the photo machine is a way to discover things and It will play a relevant role in the story.
The characters are fleshed out and lively, I felt for Phoebe and found the other characters interesting.
The historical background is well researched even if there’s some details that made me wonder as I think it could have been very hard even if not impossible, the religion choice at the beginning for instance
That said I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and I will read others by this author as I always liked her story
It’s strongly recommended if you want to read a well plotted and intriguing historical fiction.
Many thanks to Piatkus for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I was hooked since the first pages and I liked Phoebe, the girl who went away, and the atmospheric description of Venice.
There’s a story and there’s the big history in a moment when everything is changing and nothing what used to be.
Phoebe discovers her long estranged aunts left her Venice palace to her.
It’s a beginning of a story that goes back in time and makes us know what Phoebe’s she was past and how became a famous photographer. The eye of the photo machine is a way to discover things and It will play a relevant role in the story.
The characters are fleshed out and lively, I felt for Phoebe and found the other characters interesting.
The historical background is well researched even if there’s some details that made me wonder as I think it could have been very hard even if not impossible, the religion choice at the beginning for instance
That said I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and I will read others by this author as I always liked her story
It’s strongly recommended if you want to read a well plotted and intriguing historical fiction.
Many thanks to Piatkus for this ARC, all opinions are mine
October 26, 2025
The more days that go by and the more I think about this book the more annoyed I get.
Phoebe was so damn naive and foolish. She ignored everything that was right in front of her eyes and was willing to marry a man that she didn't know. For what? Cosimo constantly showed her all the red flags, they barely knew each other, she didn't like him much but was so happy to get a proposal. Was she that desperate to have a man and get married.
What happened with Lorenzo and his daughter? Did he ever see her? Get to know her? We were left with so many unanswered questions. Book ended extremely abruptly. Suddenly her sister and her are best buddies again? Yeah the more I think about this book the more angry I get. It had so much potential to be amazing.
Original Review 3 ⭐
What a beautiful but heartwrenching story.
I just wish the FMC was less naive. From the first meeting with Cosimo you could see how slick and nasty he was and I wish she would have seen that.
I was glad that she didn't end up with Lorenzo. That love was a childhood love. And she deserves someone who sees her and loves her as the adult she is.
One thing that did worry me was ..."Phoebe was 16 and Lorenzo 18/19 when they had sex. Doesn't that count as statuary rape? I don't know what laws Italy has but it did ick me out whilst reading.
Phoebe was so damn naive and foolish. She ignored everything that was right in front of her eyes and was willing to marry a man that she didn't know. For what? Cosimo constantly showed her all the red flags, they barely knew each other, she didn't like him much but was so happy to get a proposal. Was she that desperate to have a man and get married.
What happened with Lorenzo and his daughter? Did he ever see her? Get to know her? We were left with so many unanswered questions. Book ended extremely abruptly. Suddenly her sister and her are best buddies again? Yeah the more I think about this book the more angry I get. It had so much potential to be amazing.
Original Review 3 ⭐
What a beautiful but heartwrenching story.
I just wish the FMC was less naive. From the first meeting with Cosimo you could see how slick and nasty he was and I wish she would have seen that.
I was glad that she didn't end up with Lorenzo. That love was a childhood love. And she deserves someone who sees her and loves her as the adult she is.
One thing that did worry me was ..."Phoebe was 16 and Lorenzo 18/19 when they had sex. Doesn't that count as statuary rape? I don't know what laws Italy has but it did ick me out whilst reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2023
“Come to Venice. Please, Phoebe, do not fail me.”
My thanks to Little, Brown Group U.K. Piatkus for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Lost Daughter of Venice’ by Charlotte Betts.
Venice, 1919. Following a plea from her estranged aunt, the Contessa di Sebastiano, Phoebe Wyndham returns after seventeen years to the grand Venetian Palazzo degli Angeli. She is shocked to discover that her aunt is dead and the palazzo now belongs to her.
Phoebe has recently been widowed in the Great War and her initial plan is to sell the property and return to London and her career as a photographer. Yet when she uncovers a dark family secret, she vows not to leave without discovering the truth. No further details to avoid spoilers.
While the main story is set in 1919, the narrative returns to 1901 and the events that led to Phoebe leaving Venice and how the estrangement from her Aunt Lavinia and sister, Eveline, came about.
This is my first experience of Charlotte Betts writing and I found it an engaging read that not only presents an intriguing mystery but explores the relationship between mothers and daughters. She also writes evocatively of Venice during the early 20th Century.
My thanks to Little, Brown Group U.K. Piatkus for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Lost Daughter of Venice’ by Charlotte Betts.
Venice, 1919. Following a plea from her estranged aunt, the Contessa di Sebastiano, Phoebe Wyndham returns after seventeen years to the grand Venetian Palazzo degli Angeli. She is shocked to discover that her aunt is dead and the palazzo now belongs to her.
Phoebe has recently been widowed in the Great War and her initial plan is to sell the property and return to London and her career as a photographer. Yet when she uncovers a dark family secret, she vows not to leave without discovering the truth. No further details to avoid spoilers.
While the main story is set in 1919, the narrative returns to 1901 and the events that led to Phoebe leaving Venice and how the estrangement from her Aunt Lavinia and sister, Eveline, came about.
This is my first experience of Charlotte Betts writing and I found it an engaging read that not only presents an intriguing mystery but explores the relationship between mothers and daughters. She also writes evocatively of Venice during the early 20th Century.
June 14, 2023
A great read, set in the early 20th Century in Venice the story follows two sisters Phoebe and Eveline.
Phoebe and Eveline were orphaned at a young age when their parents died in India, and were collected by their Aunt the Contessa di Sebastiano and taken to her home in Venice.
In 1902 she had a liaison with a young Venetian, they planned to elope, but he didn't turn up as his mother had found out all about it. Phoebe finds out she is pregnant and is disowned by her Aunt and her husband the Count and married off to an architect who sadly dies in the war. The marriage is not a love match, more of one of convenience.
In 1919 as a widow, Phoebe receives an urgent telegram from her Aunt begging her to come to Venice, by the time Phoebe arrives her aunt has died, at the reading of her Will, her sister Eveline finds out that everything is left to Phoebe.
Many twists and turns, with two men vying for Phoebe's love and attention.
You can see and smell in your mind the Venice of the early 20th Century and the effect it had on everyone's lives.
Phoebe and Eveline were orphaned at a young age when their parents died in India, and were collected by their Aunt the Contessa di Sebastiano and taken to her home in Venice.
In 1902 she had a liaison with a young Venetian, they planned to elope, but he didn't turn up as his mother had found out all about it. Phoebe finds out she is pregnant and is disowned by her Aunt and her husband the Count and married off to an architect who sadly dies in the war. The marriage is not a love match, more of one of convenience.
In 1919 as a widow, Phoebe receives an urgent telegram from her Aunt begging her to come to Venice, by the time Phoebe arrives her aunt has died, at the reading of her Will, her sister Eveline finds out that everything is left to Phoebe.
Many twists and turns, with two men vying for Phoebe's love and attention.
You can see and smell in your mind the Venice of the early 20th Century and the effect it had on everyone's lives.
May 29, 2023
This is a really enjoyable read. A well crafted plot even if I predicted the outcome in the first few chapters. I hasten to add that this did not spoil the book for me and there were plenty of twists and turns as you progressed. The main character is a strong, independent women who confounds expectations of her. There is a thoughtful exploration of the morals and expectations of women at the turn of the last century, When a couple fall in love, and a pregnancy ensues, it is the woman who is expected to take the blame and fall into disgrace. While the man does not escape shame, the consequences are not nearly as bad. The book then explores the nature of loss and love the mother and daughter experience. All in all, a well spun story.
September 11, 2023
I regret finishing this, I wasn’t particularly enjoying it and so paused to read another book (never a good sign) and then returned to it to see how the story would resolve. In a word: ridiculously. Bitter enmity from the maim character’s sister suddenly miraculously melts away, there is a stabbing in the eye, and a knocking out with a heavy object, an estranged daughter who suddenly seems to forgive and understand everything, whose lifelong emotional traumas are not exacerbated by being put in a horrific situation when she fights for her life and there is so more besides. It was written in a very slow drawn out style, then gathered pace into an extremely melodramatic and unbelievable ending.
I read an advance reader copy.
I read an advance reader copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2025
Four stars since it grabbed my attention ever since I picked it up on my trip to Venice and offered me atmospheric glimpses of a -somehow already nostalgic- memory I thus have of the city. I felt transported back to it’s back alleys and small streets. Standing on the bridges and watching the water of the lagoon play with the architecture of the town. I relieved the breeze on my face and the places I have visited like La Fenice, the San Marco church and the Doge’s Palace. However, things were phrased in the same way throughout, characters didn’t have depth and to name a storyline, the love story, did not come across as believable at all. Overall, it was a great read, very easy to follow and despite shortcomings it definitely had me hooked.
August 22, 2025
Phoebe Wyndham, a widow in her 30s, grew up in Venice and now lives in London. Raised by obscure noble relatives after being orphaned as a child, she became pregnant at 17-years-old and was sent away to have the baby. When told her baby was stillborn, she was devastated. She was married off to an American man, John Wyndham, and developed a love of photography, making it her career. In 1919, she receives a note from her estranged aunt begging her to return to the palazzo that holds so many complex memories from her time there. On arrival, her equally estranged sister Eveline reveals that their aunt had drowned the day before. Eveline is resentful and cold towards the unwanted guest, but becomes hostile when their aunt’s will leaves the palazzo to a very shocked and unenthusiastic Phoebe.
..
While clearing the palazzo for sale, making friends with two new men in the process and getting reacquainted with Venice, she finds secrets tied to the birth of her daughter and Aunt Lavinia’s untimely death. Things don’t add up and Phoebe is determined to find the truth before returning to London. Can she piece it together before selling her childhood home? Will she be able to reconnect with her family, despite their differences and festering resentment? Is London really her home or could Venice draw her back to it permanently?
..
REVIEW: I spotted this book in the library; the pretty cover caught my attention and it was easy to be curious when “Come to Venice. Please, Phoebe, do not fail me” is on the back, followed by the information that the aunt who sent the message has suddenly died and Phoebe is given the palazzo despite the estrangement. When I chose this book, I wasn’t particularly interested in the romance; I just wanted to follow Phoebe on her journey to find out what really happened with her daughter and her aunt’s suspicious death. The first two chapters felt slow, but I was determined to try at least five chapters before accepting defeat. I read two or three books at a time and it was hard to feel motivated to choose this one over progressing in the others. It felt wordy in places and sometimes the Italian names for things broke any immersion because I wasn’t sure how to pronounce them in my head while reading, so having a rough idea of Italian pronunciation may help.
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The premise is intriguing and it picked up in the third chapter, when it jumps back to 1901 for Phoebe’s whirlwind romance and harrowing pregnancy/birth experience, but the first two chapters felt uneventful enough to lose some readers (like it almost lost me) and my interest waned on and off after that. Betts detailed the environment quite thoroughly, but it was sometimes dull in the grand scheme of things. In fact, I’d have been more likely to care about the dull introduction of adult Phoebe if the book had begun with her experiences in 1901. The accurate portrayal of the trauma that so many unwed mothers had forced upon them when hidden away for the pregnancy and birth was strong with emotion. It’s just a shame that it wasn’t showcased at the start to pull people in.
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Something that I feel is important to mention, and would likely have put me off the book if I’d known beforehand, is that the blurb misrepresents the book a little, in my opinion. As someone who was attracted to the mystery, the titular mystery didn’t become apparent until chapter 7 and the blurb’s “whether her aunt’s death was truly an accident after all” mystery isn’t even brought up as a possibility until chapter 29, which feels quite late on. I want books to grab my attention and hold it throughout, with blurb promises included in the early/mid story so I’m not waiting until near the end of the book for the thing that drew me to it to become relevant. Another example of the blurb not feeling quite accurate is that it claims Phoebe “finds herself growing closer to two very different men”, but I only see her actually growing closer (at least romantically) to one. For someone who cares more about the romance aspect than me, it may be a little disappointing if you think she’s going to view two men romantically and have to choose.
..
In summary, I wouldn’t rule out Charlotte Betts’ other books just because this one didn’t grip me and the ending felt rushed. I still liked the book, but wouldn’t read it again or recommend it unless you like slow books with quick endings. Even interesting stories can sadly be overlooked if they don’t show that promise within the first or second chapters. I’m just glad 1901 Phoebe was chapter 3 and no later, so I had a reason to feel for the protagonist and not give up on the book. If you don’t mind a slow beginning, it could be a good read, especially if you’re in Venice. The mystery doesn’t feel like a major part of the plot, though.
..
While clearing the palazzo for sale, making friends with two new men in the process and getting reacquainted with Venice, she finds secrets tied to the birth of her daughter and Aunt Lavinia’s untimely death. Things don’t add up and Phoebe is determined to find the truth before returning to London. Can she piece it together before selling her childhood home? Will she be able to reconnect with her family, despite their differences and festering resentment? Is London really her home or could Venice draw her back to it permanently?
..
REVIEW: I spotted this book in the library; the pretty cover caught my attention and it was easy to be curious when “Come to Venice. Please, Phoebe, do not fail me” is on the back, followed by the information that the aunt who sent the message has suddenly died and Phoebe is given the palazzo despite the estrangement. When I chose this book, I wasn’t particularly interested in the romance; I just wanted to follow Phoebe on her journey to find out what really happened with her daughter and her aunt’s suspicious death. The first two chapters felt slow, but I was determined to try at least five chapters before accepting defeat. I read two or three books at a time and it was hard to feel motivated to choose this one over progressing in the others. It felt wordy in places and sometimes the Italian names for things broke any immersion because I wasn’t sure how to pronounce them in my head while reading, so having a rough idea of Italian pronunciation may help.
..
The premise is intriguing and it picked up in the third chapter, when it jumps back to 1901 for Phoebe’s whirlwind romance and harrowing pregnancy/birth experience, but the first two chapters felt uneventful enough to lose some readers (like it almost lost me) and my interest waned on and off after that. Betts detailed the environment quite thoroughly, but it was sometimes dull in the grand scheme of things. In fact, I’d have been more likely to care about the dull introduction of adult Phoebe if the book had begun with her experiences in 1901. The accurate portrayal of the trauma that so many unwed mothers had forced upon them when hidden away for the pregnancy and birth was strong with emotion. It’s just a shame that it wasn’t showcased at the start to pull people in.
..
Something that I feel is important to mention, and would likely have put me off the book if I’d known beforehand, is that the blurb misrepresents the book a little, in my opinion. As someone who was attracted to the mystery, the titular mystery didn’t become apparent until chapter 7 and the blurb’s “whether her aunt’s death was truly an accident after all” mystery isn’t even brought up as a possibility until chapter 29, which feels quite late on. I want books to grab my attention and hold it throughout, with blurb promises included in the early/mid story so I’m not waiting until near the end of the book for the thing that drew me to it to become relevant. Another example of the blurb not feeling quite accurate is that it claims Phoebe “finds herself growing closer to two very different men”, but I only see her actually growing closer (at least romantically) to one. For someone who cares more about the romance aspect than me, it may be a little disappointing if you think she’s going to view two men romantically and have to choose.
..
In summary, I wouldn’t rule out Charlotte Betts’ other books just because this one didn’t grip me and the ending felt rushed. I still liked the book, but wouldn’t read it again or recommend it unless you like slow books with quick endings. Even interesting stories can sadly be overlooked if they don’t show that promise within the first or second chapters. I’m just glad 1901 Phoebe was chapter 3 and no later, so I had a reason to feel for the protagonist and not give up on the book. If you don’t mind a slow beginning, it could be a good read, especially if you’re in Venice. The mystery doesn’t feel like a major part of the plot, though.
June 12, 2023
3.5
Gostei muito mais do que esperava. Escolhi este livro para me acompanhar numa viagem a Veneza, pelo que foi muito agradável ler uma história que se passava no mesmo universo em que eu estava - embora em épocas distintas.
A história é interessante, tem um ritmo rápido e várias coisas vão acontecendo que nos deixam presos a ela. No entanto, sinto que falta alguma exploração e carga emocional, uma vez que o livro e a história das personagens o pede. No final, senti que estava a ver uma novela, face ao dramatismo exacerbado.
Gostei muito mais do que esperava. Escolhi este livro para me acompanhar numa viagem a Veneza, pelo que foi muito agradável ler uma história que se passava no mesmo universo em que eu estava - embora em épocas distintas.
A história é interessante, tem um ritmo rápido e várias coisas vão acontecendo que nos deixam presos a ela. No entanto, sinto que falta alguma exploração e carga emocional, uma vez que o livro e a história das personagens o pede. No final, senti que estava a ver uma novela, face ao dramatismo exacerbado.
August 10, 2023
I really wasn’t sure what to make of this book at the outset, but as it progressed I got drawn into the mysteries of the aunt’s death, the two Italian ‘gentlemen’ vying for her attention and the mystery of Phoebe’s falling out with her aunt and her sister.
Intriguing setting in Venice and makes me want to understand more about how on earth they build houses in water!!!
Intriguing setting in Venice and makes me want to understand more about how on earth they build houses in water!!!
December 6, 2024
The Lost Daughter of Venice by Charlotte Betts is a fast-moving tale that captivated me from the very start. Phoebe’s estranged Aunt implores her to return to Venice and once there, old family secrets become known. This heartbreaking story swept me along and I could not put it down. It is a long time since I read a book so quickly. An excellent read!
October 5, 2025
3,5*
Lengva, nesudėtinga, greitai perskaitoma istorija. Keturios žvaigždutės už tikrai neblogą siužetą, trys uż jo vidutinišką išpildymą. Atsitraukti nuo skaitymo tikrai nesinorėjo, bet po mėnesio greičiausiai neprisiminsiu visiškai nieko. Idealus skaitinys atostogoms ar niūresniam savaitgaliui, kai norisi tik knygos, pleduko ir jaukumo 🙂
Lengva, nesudėtinga, greitai perskaitoma istorija. Keturios žvaigždutės už tikrai neblogą siužetą, trys uż jo vidutinišką išpildymą. Atsitraukti nuo skaitymo tikrai nesinorėjo, bet po mėnesio greičiausiai neprisiminsiu visiškai nieko. Idealus skaitinys atostogoms ar niūresniam savaitgaliui, kai norisi tik knygos, pleduko ir jaukumo 🙂
June 2, 2024
I reallly liked this. A simple and heartfelt story made magical and memorable by the beautiful setting. I’d expected paranormal activity for some reason but I actually preferred the fact there wasn’t any. It made the story realer
February 27, 2025
I enjoyed most of this book. I would have liked a bit more description of Venice itself and wasn't totally convinced by the ending or the feel of that period of time, but it was an easy pleasant read.
September 22, 2025
My rating is 3.5 stars. It's a good book, good writing and interesting plot. I just couldn't get myself 100% immersed in the book. Good for light reading and for anyone interested in a photographer in Venice in 1919.
November 3, 2025
Nuostabioji Venecija, buvo įdomu sekti pagrindinės veikėjos pėdomis ir pasidairyti internete įspūdingų vietų bei architektūrinių paminklų, bet turinys lėkštas, eiga nuspėjama. Susiskaitė greitai, bet didesnio įspūdžio nepaliko.
June 3, 2023
The plot was interesting and I loved the descriptions of Venice and Venetian life.
However, the dialogue could be quite stilted at times and events became extremely melodramatic by the end.
However, the dialogue could be quite stilted at times and events became extremely melodramatic by the end.
November 8, 2023
An exceptional story, a 1 day read, I couldn't put it down until I'd finished.
Charlotte Betts is truly talented.
Charlotte Betts is truly talented.
August 18, 2024
Letting
May 7, 2025
So I am reading and thinking, this is a pretty good book. And then the end just fell apart. Too trite.
July 1, 2025
It’s kind of a cozy read, but it’s quite predictable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2025
Mooi verhaal, leest makkelijk weg, heeft lichte spanning & een happy end
Read
November 22, 2025Puiki knyga
June 9, 2024
4 ⭐ Super underrated book and definitely deserves more hype. I really enjoyed the mystery but I just wish the descriptions of Venice were more poetic and detailed. But other than that, it was a very good read!
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