The Keepers of Metsan Valo

A Novel

By: Wendy Webb

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

The spirits of Nordic folklore come calling in this entrancing tale of family secrets and ancient mysteries by the #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Haunting of Brynn Wilder.

In Metsan Valo, her family home on Lake Superior, Anni Halla’s beloved grandmother has died. Among her fond memories, what Anni remembers most vividly is her grandmother’s eerie yet enchanting storytelling. By firelight she spun tall tales of spirits in the nearby forest and waters who could heal - or harm - on a whim. But of course those were only stories…

The reading of the will now occasions a family reunion. Anni and her twin brother, their almost otherworldly mother, and relatives Anni hasn’t seen in forever - some with good reason - are all brought back together under one roof that strains to hold all their tension. But it’s not just Anni’s family who is unsettled. Whispers wind through the woods. Laughter bursts from bubbling streams. Raps from unseen hands rupture on the walls. Fireflies swarm and nightmares stir. With each odd occurrence, Anni fears that her return has invited less a welcoming and more a warning.

When another tragedy strikes near home, Anni must dive headfirst into the mysterious happenings to discover the truth about her home, her family, and the wooded island’s ancient lore. Plunging into the past may be the only way to save her family from whatever bedevils Metsan Valo.

©2021 by Wendy Webb. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Wendy Webb once again spins a magical web in The Keepers of Metsan Valo, weaving Nordic folklore, family legacy, and the bonds that unite us to each other and to the natural world. She is the sorceress of Lake Superior. Get ready to be ensnared!” (Carol Goodman, two-time Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning author of The Lake of Dead Languages and The Stranger Behind You)

“A novel taut with threats and secrets, family lore, and folktales. Who - or what - truly guards and keeps the magnificent house and grounds of Metsan Valo? That is the question that thrums through the novel. And who - or what - is threatening and haunting the family who calls it home? Dark, brooding, and mysterious, as all good Gothics should be. Loved it.” (Kim Taylor Blakemore, author of After Alice Fell and The Companion)

Excellent

Wendy Wedd has such a unique style of writing that I would recognize her work even if I didn’t know who wrote the book. her stories that speak of these grand old houses that are around Lake Superior are very enchanting, mystical and mysterious. I eagerly look forward to new books by her! As always, Xe Sands is over the top in narrating it. Great read and listen!

Another great book by Wendy Webb!

I really enjoyed this book....as I have all four of the books I've read by this author to date. I love how closely she intertwines the past with the present and how family connections and ties always play key elements in her books. She sets such an atmospheric stage and with Xe Sands incredible talent as a narrator, this book really came to life!

The best yet

I have enjoyed all of the books by this author but this one was special, I wanted it to go on and on.

Wendy Webb returns - stronger than ever!

I will admit, I was not the biggest fan of her last book (Byrn Wilder) but this one more than makes up for it. What a beautiful story intertwined with mystery, folklore, magic and family (but not in a sappy way that will make you cry - I hate crying). This ranks up there with The Vanishing (my fav WW story!). Well done!!

Not the best, but solid

It was a fun story about siblings with an actual relationship. I liked that very much, often times when reading books, siblings are lifeless and stiff, but this was light and heavy and real. I adore Wendy Webb and Xe Sands, I will pick up anything by both of them. Tremendously fun book, thumbs up from me.

First Wendy Webb

This is the first of Wendy Webb’s books I’ve listened to. It was nice to listen to a clean book with a nice mystery. I am sad that part was undeveloped. I’d have loved to see more of the heroine interacting with the “little people and more about Norse mythology. I’d have liked to have seen our heroine actually believe in them. I think we needed more character development so we could understand the players better. The ending was not totally satisfying but maybe in another book? I also enjoyed XeSands narration. She’s got a soothing quality to her voice. All in all, I liked this book and am off to check her others out.

The Keepers of Metsan Valo

Loved it. Another great story from Wendy Webb. I couldn't stop listening. Enjoyed the performance as well.

Enchanting

Another good book. This one had a bit bit of fantasy in it. I really enjoyed hearing about this family, and their history combined with the fantasy was fantastic.

Great story….

Wendy does it again! This book was so captivating and I could not stop listening. Don’t listen to the negative reviews. And Xe Sands is a perfect narrator who brings the characters to life.

Loved it!

Loved the story and it being an adult fairytale with a small crossover to another of her books!