The Rossetti Letter

By Christi Phillips

Alessandra Rossetti, a courtesan, becomes entangled in a conspiracy that threatens to destroy seventeenth century Venice. She alone has the power to reveal a Spanish plot.

Centuries later, Claire Donovan is writing her dissertation on the young courtesan. She knows that Alessandra wrote a secret letter exposing the Spanish conspiracy. But how Alessandra learnt of it, or what happened to her afterwards is still a mystery. Claire hopes to uncover the secrets of the courtesan's life within Venice's ancient libraries and prove Alessandra deserves her place in history.

But upon arrival in Venice, Claire learns that Cambridge professor Andrew Kent is to present a paper, asserting that Alessandra was a co-conspirator of the Spanish. If he can prove this, Claire's work and academic career will be ruined. She knows she must discover the facts in order to save her own future. And as she races to find the truth, the beauty and romance of Venice will also bring the passion back into Claire's own life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Release date: Sep 4, 2008
• ISBN: 9781847396174

Christi Phillips

Christi Phillips is the author of The Rossetti Letter, which has been translated into six foreign languages, and The Devlin Diaries. Her research combines a few of her favorite things: old books, libraries, and travel. When she’s not rummaging around in an archive or exploring the historic heart of a European city, she lives with her husband in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Reviews for The Rossetti Letter

[marysneedle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Christi Phillip’s “Rossetti Letter” has the right mix of history and present day.The sequences between the past Venice and the present day Venice were very good. It was like reading two stories at once. And the similar situations between Claire and Alessandra, being two women from two different eras, who are alone in the world and trying to make the best of it gives the story a very timeless theme. I also seem to get the message that you do not need to give up femininity to make it in the world either.Claire seems to have lost any interest in the opposite sex and her femininity and only gets it back with the help of Gwen and Giancarlo and the atmosphere in Venice. As Gwen puts it Claire needed to get her groove back.Without giving too much away it was a great read. I enjoyed the historical parts of the story as much as the present day escapes of Claire and Gwen and would recommend it to anyone who likes a light hearted story laced with history.

[thelostentwife · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I wish it were possible to review a book by cutting it up into three separate books. Because two out of the three would get favorable reviews from me while the third... well, I don't think I'd have read the third after the first 20 pages or so if I had the choice.Basically, The Rossetti Letter is three stories - that of modern-time Claire, out to prove her dissertation on Alessandra Rossetti, that of Alessandra, a courtesan who lived in seventeenth century Venice, and finally, a political conspiracy taking place in Venice in which Alessandra has a part in.The modern story, I think, is given more credit in the summary than deserves, but it was entertaining, I found Claire likeable, I found the reason she actually got to go to Venice a bit laughable, and the relationships formed in Venice a bit contrived, but still - it was mindless fun.I actually enjoyed Alessandra's story the most. I enjoyed learning about the lifestyle, the choices given to women without dowry and I had no idea that only one son in a family was usually allowed to marry, thereby making courtesans "necessary evils".But the political, historical stuff - seriously, I felt so lost and I floundered my way through it because, frankly, it just wasn't that interesting. If the book had more of that part of the story in it then it did, then I honestly would not have finished the book, because as much as I enjoyed Alessandra and was amused by Claire, it wouldn't have been worth the boredom.But, for the $5 this book ended up costing me - it was an okay read, just nothing to write home about.

[mariacfox · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was definitely an entertaining read...but there is nothing new in this book. Some parts I felt were a little TOO similar to Pride & Prejudice / Bridget Jones' Diary (especially some of the character dialogue...) and the plot is predictable (classic historic/romantic mystery). However, I did enjoy the book and would recommend it to any lover of the genre wanting to be entertained but not necessarily surprised.

[kjlou_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

You get two novels in each of Christie Phillips' books, this one and The Devlin Diaries. Her books intertwine a present day story and a historical story. Both of which are very well written and interesting with a spattering of humor here and there. She writes the present day story with all the common trappings of our time and then so eloquently writes the past as if she had been there herself. The Rossetti Letter is more story of the present than the past. Her second book, The Devlin Diaries, even though it too is a novel of present and past is more of a history novel. I preferred The Devlin Diaries over The Rossetti Letter just simply for that fact, more history novel. The Rossetti Letter is set in Venice which adds an aura of its own to the story. The Devlin Diaries is set in England I believe.

[ildika_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this book! A really great read. The imagery of 17th century Venice evoked through Phillips' writing is incredible and provides the perfect setting for this story about love, betrayal, intrigue and adventure. The characters were well formed and the plot intricately woven with brilliant historical detail. Eagerly awaiting the next Phillips novel!

[nomadreader_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Synopsis (adapted from publisher): Claire Donovan has always dreamed of visiting Venice, and she's finishing her Ph.D. thesis on Alessandra Rossetti, a mysterious courtesan who wrote a secret letter to the Venetian Council warning of a Spanish plot to overthrow the Venetian Republic in 1618. Claire views Alessandra as a heroine and harbors a secret hope that her findings will elevate Alessandra to a more prominent place in history. But an arrogant Cambridge professor is set to present a paper at a prestigious Venetian university denouncing Alessandra as a co-conspirator -- a move that could destroy Claire's paper and career. As Claire races to locate the documents that will reveal the courtesan's true motives, Alessandra's story comes to life with all the sensuality, political treachery, and violence of seventeenth-century Venice. Claire also falls under the city's spell.Review: I already knew and loved Claire, but it was refreshing to get some more background on her life. Perhaps because I'm in graduate school, I easily identified with her as she sought to finish her dissertation and find a job. The story alternates between Alessandra's life in 1618 and Claire's modern day life. The stories worked well together, and I found myself equally interested in both. Venice is always a divine book setting, and the city was almost a character in this novel. I will say I initially had a hard time remembering some of the characters from the 1600's, but the list of characters at the front of the book was quite helpful and jogged my memory. My one complaint about the book is trivial: I wanted a map. Venice is such a huge part of the story, and I'm reasonably familiar with the city (I've visited twice), but I still pulled out maps to see where the action was. There was a sense that the relative geography had more importance than it actually did. I always appreciate maps at the beginning of books, and this one would have been an especially good candidate.

[freisianbeauty · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Traces of Kate Mosse came to mind when I read this one..... in a good way... As much as I enjoyed this I felt there was something missing. At times it was just a book, but at others you could really feel the atmosphere and feeling of danger. I picked this one up on a whim and am glad I did. Am curious now and intrested in reading her other works.

[bfish_15 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In 1618, Spain was preparing to launch a surprise invasion of Venice. The plan was thwarted only because Alessandra Rossetti, a famed courtesan of the city, wrote a letter to the governing council exposing the plot. Afterward, the young woman disappears from history.Claire Donovan has spent two years researching this event for her doctoral dissertation. Why would Alessandra risk her life and those of her clients to save her city? What happened to her after she wrote the famous "Rossetti letter"? Claire is hoping to answer these questions and thus start her academic career as the expert in the so-called Spanish Conspiracy. One big problem is that she can't afford to travel from her home on Cape Cod to Venice to study the historical records firsthand.To make matters worse, Claire learns that a history professor from Cambridge, Andrea Kent, is planning to present a paper at a Venice conference on the very topic of the Spanish Conspiracy. If Claire's dissertation is scooped, her degree and career will be jeopardy. There is only one way she can get to Venice: by taking fourteen-year-old Gwen Fry along with her. Thirty-something Claire thinks, "How hard could it be to watch Gwen while attending the lectures and doing research?" It's obvious that Claire has not spent much time around teenagers.Once in Venice, Claire attends "Andrea's" lecture and learns two important facts: Andrea is really Andrew, and Andrew thinks the Spanish Conspiracy is a hoax.The Rossetti Letter is almost two novels in one. The historical aspects center around the fictional Alessandra Rossetti and her transformation from well-off merchant's daughter to orphan to high-class courtesan. Her story introduces us to 1617–1618 Venice, its foods, its sights and sounds, and its politics. The contemporary aspects focus on Claire Donovan as she races to save her academic future while finally learning to open herself up to others after her painful divorce.The two faces of the novel work well. Although Alessandra's story could have stood on its own as historical fiction, it is interesting to see the difference between the "realities" of her life and what is available four hundred years later for Claire to study. Further, it is fun to follow Claire's discoveries; we groan when she skips over important information and are relieved when she gets things right.The historical chapters are well conceived with a good balance of fact and fiction. The plot is nicely paced, and it is easy to get caught up in Alessandra's world. Sometimes, however, it is difficult to remember all the political players, but Phillips gives us a list of the characters, and a quick glance is all that's needed to clear any confusion.Claire's story is a little less gripping, with maybe a few too many coincidences. The evolving relationship between Claire and Gwen is entertaining, and Claire's foibles while adapting to Venice provide a nice break. In the end, however, Claire is someone to root for: The trip to Venice not only helps Claire understand the Spanish Conspiracy and Alessandra's fate but also helps her find the way to self-discovery.The novel ends with a author's note that tells us which characters and events were based on fact and which were conceived for the novel. Phillips also lists her major sources.The Rossetti Letter is the first in the Claire Donovan novels. I already have the second book, The Devlin Diary, and can't wait to follow Claire as she conducts research into 1672 London.The novel has it's own website, The Rossetti Letter, where you can learn more about the author and the book.

[kasthu_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Rossetti Letter is a dual time period novel. In the modern day, Claire Donovan is completing her doctoral degree in early modern European history, writing her dissertation on the Spanish Conspiracy of 1618, in which the Spanish ambassador to Venice planned a takeover of the Republic. The plot of the conspiracy was denounced by a courtesan named Alessandra Rossetti, who had lovers in many influential places. Claire travels to Venice, where she finds that someone else, a well-known Cambridge historian, is writing a book on the exact same subject she is.I enjoyed the historical part of this novel much more than the modern-day bits. It’s clear that the author doesn’t know much about modern-day academia. First, it stretches credibility that someone completing her doctorate would not have visited the country in which her dissertation is set. Claire’s dissertation is on the Spanish Conspiracy, yet before the events of the book, she’d never set foot in Venice or Spain to do her research. OK, I’ll buy that she doesn’t have much money, but in that case, wouldn’t she have gotten a grant or some kind of funding to travel?I didn’t really understand why Claire wouldn’t have known about Andrew Kent’s research. Isn’t it the job of an academic to know who their competition is, especially if that competition is supposedly well-known in their field of study? Then there are the scenes in the Biblioteca Marciana. I found it hard to believe that Claire would be able to just send an e-mail, flash her idea, and waltz right on into a prestigious library. Don’t you need letters of reference or something for entrance if you’re still a student? It seemed strange to me that a librarian of a prestigious Venetian library would disclose information about who had a prior hold on a book—or that she would suggest that Claire use sex to get what she wants. I guess the author was trying to make a connection between Alessandra and Claire, but it was really unrealistic all the same. If Claire reads and writes Italian, then why is she reading her sources in an English translation, in an abridged format? I was also a bit disturbed by her, and Gwen’s blatant disregard for government property later on in the book.However, as I said, I really enjoyed the historical half of the book. The author clearly loves Venice and early modern history, and the city of Venice comes alive in the pages of this novel. I’ve only made one trip to Venice, but I loved it while I was there; and it’s always good to find someone else who loves it, too. The early 17th century in Europe was a time of great change—as well as of great danger—and Phillips outlines the conspiracy very well, as Spain’s power waned on the even of the Thirty Years’ War. The historical part of the book is clearly well-researched, and I enjoyed reading along to figure out the mystery. The story moves very quickly, and the transition from one time period to the other isn’t jarring. I’ve read Phillips’s other book, The Devlin Diary, and enjoyed it for the most part, too—but I had the same kind of problems with it as I had with this book.

[turtlesleap · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Claire Donovan is a 21st Century doctoral candidate researching an incident in 17th Century Venetian history for her dissertation. As Claire's story unfolds, the reader is taken back for interludes in 17th Century Venice as the subject of Claire's dissertation actually unfolds. While not a new approach to historical fiction, this was handled deftly enough by the author to be entertaining. The book was pleasant and readable without being substantial enough to be highly recommended. If you read it, watch for the interactions between Claire and her 14 year old charge, Gwen. This interaction is, by far, the most authentic characterization in the book.

[tmbcoughlin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book easily shifts from current day to the time of the Spanish conspiracy. It gives you a rich sense of the challenges in Venice at the time and weaves in a romance as well. It also tells a realistic current day story that incorporates the Spanish conspiracy.

[almondjoy_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Blending fact and fiction with suspense and sensuality, Christi Phillips tells the story of a modern historian who uncovers a courtesan's secret role in a shocking conspiracy in seventeenth-century Venice. A wonderful first novel that captures your interest from the first page. Combines a tone reminiscent of a Mary Stewart novel with the intrigue of Dan Brown. Highly recommend

[hlsabnani · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book! I've always wanted to go to Venice and that is only reinforced now. The book reminded me of a slightly lighter version of "Possession" though I must say I enjoyed this book more. The characters seemed very real to me and at times had me laughing out loud. I really hope that there is a sequel to the book as Phillips seemed to leave room for one at the end.