This is the exciting conclusion to Rich's Midwife trilogy, begun with The Midwife of Venice. In 1575, Hannah Levi rescued a baby from his aristocratic parents, and fled to Constantinople with her husband Isaac. Now, several years later, Hannah is forced to return to Venice to rescue her adopted son once again. The dangerous streets of Venice are evocative and compelling, as Hannah's story comes to a thrilling conclusion. Fans of the trilogy will love this conclusion, and those who haven't read it will want to start with book one to gain the full picture of Hannah's exciting story.

This unfortunately, was not my cup of tea.  The first two chapters were off to a great start, but after that, I had a hard time getting into it. 
On a positive note, even though I did not read the first 2 books, I appreciate how the author managed to introduce the characters seamlessly

The Midwife of Venice was Roberta Rich's debut novel. This international bestseller was followed by a second novel - The Harem Midwife. And at last the third novel - A Trial in Venice - is here!

This isn't a time period I usually read, but I was fascinated and immediately drawn in by Rich's characters, plotting and settings in the first book. And I've eagerly awaited each new book.

Rich has filled her books full of fascinating historical detail - the social mores, customs and laws of the time, religious differences, midwifery, day to day life and more. Using that research she has created a character it is impossible not to like. The three books have Hannah Levi, a Jewish midwife in 1575's Venice, at their heart. She's strong-minded, strong-willed, compassionate, intelligent and loving. But she must live within the confines set down by her faith and the laws of the land - which proves hard to do.

1580. The prologue opens with Hannah languishing in a Venice Prison. The how and why of this imprisonment is a story begun in the first book. Hannah saved a child from death in the first book. The parents died and Hannah kept the child to raise as her own. But....the boy was a Christian and the heir to a fortune. There are those who covet the boy's wealth and are just as determined to have control of him and his money. The two co-conspirators behind the machinations that have led to Hannah's arrest are wonderfully drawn - especially the conniving Cesca.

The beginning comes full circle with just the right ending to this trilogy. The tale in between will appeal to those who love historical novels filled with 'rich' detail, suspense and yes, romance. The love between Hannah and her husband Isaac is a joy to read, as is the love for their children.

I recommend starting with the first book to fully appreciate the subsequent books. Read an excerpt of A Trial in Venice,. Sadly this is the conclusion to this story, but I am very much looking forward to see what Rich turns her pen to next.

Roberta Rich concludes her trilogy about the Jewish midwife Hannah Levi in A Trial in Venice.  Hannah pursues her adopted son Matteo from Istanbul to Venice. He has been kidnapped by Foscari and Cesca so they can claim his guardianship and assume control of his large estate.   Intrigues follow as the latter contend for the guardianship and Hannah tries to get Matteo back.  Impeccably plotted with well designed characters against the historical background of Venice.  Read the whole trilogy to get the best understanding of the story.

A Trial in Venice
by Roberta Rich (Author)

 “The Midwife of Venice,” is set in 1575, Hannah Levi was forced to flee Venice with the baby of a Venetian aristocratic family whom she rescued. Roberta Rich followed that action-packed adventure with The Harem Midwife, which exiled Hannah and her beloved husband Isaac to Constantinople--only for Hannah to become entangled in the shady politics of a sultan's harem. And now, with A Trial in Venice, set five years later, Hannah is forced back to Venice--both to luxurious yet crumbling villas and the Jewish ghetto known as Veneto. Her beloved adopted son Matteo has been kidnapped and is in danger once more. And this time, so is Hannah.
 A carefree and evocative read, peopled with beguiling, unforgettable characters (including the epic return of the troublesome and winsome Foscari and Cesca), 
This was a beautifully written, wonderful book to read. I most definitely recommend this book to all historical fiction lovers. this novel is a wonderful follow up to The Midwife of Venice and The Harem Midwife, certain to shock and delight fans of the series and solidify this author’s reputation as one of Canada's most loved historical fiction authors.  The thrilling conclusion to the #1 national bestselling historical trilogy by Roberta Rich.

Gritty and grimy. Her language is revolting, but in a way that is reflective of the era (1580) where things were gritty and grimy. It’s very vividly descriptive without being too much of a slog. The chapters are nice and short, so makes for easy vacation reading. I like my historical novels on the gritty side, and I personally have an educational background in criminal history, though Italy is out of my wheelhouse, so I’m excited for something a little different. I haven’t read any of the prior books in this series, but I think I’ll have to now.

I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley for providing me a digital ARC of this book.

"And do we not have a special bond of love between us that can never be broken? Years of living and working together have made us like a pair of dancers, with an instinctive knowledge of the other's needs and rhythms?" . 

The trilogy is a decent historical fiction of familial love above all else. A Trial in Venice follows the events that closed the second book, The Harem Midwife. Set in Venice, Hannah is faced with another conflict that endangers her life and her family. 

The main characters, Hannah and Isaac, proved that there are characters who definitely deserve a cliched happy ending. They won- no, earned- their happy ending through hard work , dedication, and sacrifice. Through out the series, they encountered blackmail, murder, deceit, and kidnappings but they did not give up. 

Hannah said, recalling a passage from the Christian Bible, "'Love keeps no record of wrongs. It does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. Love always perseveres.'" 

It was really a story of reunion and love. But, the book is also filled with historical perspective that opens the reader's eyes to what was , what should not have been, and what could have been.

Isaac smiled. "May I quote from the Song of Solomon?" He took her in his arms. "'Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it." 
Gratitude. One of the most beautiful themes in the book was gratitude. Seemingly elegant yet really just simple and plain. Hannah and Isaac are grateful for each other and for their family. Despite the living conditions, political interference, and cultural circumstances of 16th century times, they were strong enough to know when gratitude is due, for what and to whom. 

Yes, she thought, there is no woman as fortunate as I. 

4/5

Thank you Netfalley and  Penguin Random House Canada for the copy of this book.
I have not read the previous books in the trilogy, so was a bit apprehensive starting with the last book.  I was very pleasantly surprised to discover I was never lost or confused, the book can  easily be a stand alone.
The characters are well developed and the book had my interest right from the beginning.
 A real page turner.

This book was very good. I found as I read it that I could not wait to see what was going to happen next. The recipes for Hannah' s Hand soap and Tzipporah" s night cream are a great addition to the book and look like they would be very fun to make.

Epub Copy for Review

Hannah is a Jewish midwife who finds her raising a Christian baby which is illegal with her husband.  But when he is kidnap by a couple who befriends and then year later they send them a letter telling her that she has him.

Risking her marriage and her pregnancy, she goes after the couple to find them and the boy.  Her journey is not easy as she survives the long boat trip and her ending up jail on trial.

We are taken on a historical journey in a world that transcend time.  Sweeping story that moves along making us feel like we are there.

A copy of the epub was provided in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

The conclusion of Roberta Rich’s historical trilogy once again takes the reader back to Venice. The book starts seamlessly where the second book left off. The 1580s are a challenging time for all and Hannah must endure many obstacles. A Trial in Venice is fast-paced and a true page-turner. Rich’s words transport the reader to Venice and Hannah’s world comes alive as the descriptions are magnificent. Hannah and her husband Isaac have a remarkable relationship and their love is unconditional. They both value family and have such integrity. This character driven journey does not disappoint. The many unexpected twists and turns move the story to its fitting conclusion.

I fell in love with Roberta Rich's first two novels about Hannah Levi, and have patiently been waiting for the third. When I read this book, I was completely capitivated by Hannah's plight. It was a non-stop read, from beginning to end. And when it finally did end, it stuck with me for a day. Good books usually take a while before they can get out of my head. I'm still waiting for it to leave me.