The Venice Secret by Anita Chapman

                                                 

 Paperback:  406 pages      

Genre: Historical Fiction                                           

Publisher:  Neets Press 2023

Source: Gifted from Author who has been a virtual friend for many years.

First Sentence: Shining my torch around Gran's loft, I took care not to brush my hand against the pink clumps of fibreglass resembling candyfloss. 

Review Quote: 'An intriguing tale of secrets and love.' Liz Fenwick Author

Setting: England and Italy

Main Characters: Rachel in 2019 and Philippa in 1780.

My Opinion: 

Having followed Anita Chapman on social media for some years, I know it has been quite an adventure, if that is the right word, for her to get ‘The Venice Secret’ published.  What a debut, with a really fabulous storyline and one of my favourite reads so far this year.  Dual timeline novels are not always easy to follow but these storylines complemented each other perfectly, with both narratives capturing my interest with their strong female protagonists.

In 2019, Rachel discovers an old painting in her Grandmother’s loft along with a letter that piques her interest in wanting to find out its history and why it ended up in the loft.  Back in 1780 Philippa is working as a Governess. The position does not work out as expected and she finds herself travelling to Italy with a wealthy young woman who is embarking on a Grand Tour. 

The descriptions throughout the novel are so realistic and the sights and scenes come alive in the minds eye. It is obvious that the author loves her subject and has taken her research very seriously.  Highly recommended to all lovers of historical fiction, especially Italophiles. I think you will be captivated.  

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

One hidden painting. Two women born centuries apart. A secret uncovered.

In 2019, Rachel is stuck in a rut when she discovers what appears to be a Canaletto painting in her grandmother's loft along with a note addressed to Philippa in 1782. With help from Jake at the local art gallery, Rachel endeavours to find out if the painting is an original and uncovers a secret from the past.

In 1780, governess at Chipford Hall, Philippa is offered the role of mistress by Earl Rupert. She escapes to Venice as companion to bluestocking, Lady Cordelia who reveals a secret that changes both their lives. They do their best to keep the secret from Lady Cordelia's social circle, but their nemesis is determined to reveal all and ruin them.

Author Profile:                

                                                                                                           

                                                        Courtesy of Amazon Profile

Anita Chapman enjoyed writing stories from a young age, and won a local writing competition when she was nine years old. Encouraged by this, she typed up a series of stories about a mouse on her mum’s typewriter and sent them to Ladybird. She received a polite rejection letter, her first.

Many of Anita’s summers growing up were spent with her family driving to Italy, and she went on to study French and Italian at university. As part of her degree, Anita lived in Siena for several months where she studied and au paired, and she spent a lot of time travelling around Italy in her twenties. 

Anita likes to read journals and diaries from the past, and one of her favourite pastimes is visiting art galleries and country houses. Her first published novel, The Venice Secret is inspired by her mother taking her to see the Canalettos at The National Gallery in London as a child. 

Since 2015, Anita has worked as a social media manager, training authors on social media, and helping to promote their books. She’s run several courses in London and York, and has worked as a tutor at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Twitter Profile.  Anita Chapman - Facebook Profile.   Author - Official Website