The Keepers of Metsan Valo is a generational thriller/mystery.
Anni is the main character, and Metsan Valo is the name of her ancestral home on a small island in Lake Superior. Anni's beloved grandma (Mummo) has just passed away, and because of various situations, the Home is left to Anni.

Her grandma always told her stories about the vaki- little people who could be helpful or spiteful.
Anni is ultimately given an ancient book which in a magical way helps her to understand what to do.
In the meantime, until she figures things out, many family members are in peril.

Although you could kind of guess what was going to happen early on, there were enough red herrings that you weren't sure. Parts of the story were scary, but not terrifying.
I thought it was a pretty good book, if a tad predictable.

My thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

I have been a long time fan of Wendy Webb's gothic themed novels, often reading them in the Fall when a book embedded in gothic atmosphere and folklore and hints of ghosts, secrets, and darkness are a welcome reading vibe. I was excited to have the chance to read this book early to prepare for my gothic reading season and appreciate the ARC from NetGalley and and Lake Union Publishing. Thank you!

Ms. Webb has an elegant way of integrating past stories, often family histories and folklore themes, into a present day story, connecting past and present in a seamless manner and making effective, well developed connections across time and characters and this skill is again on display in The Keepers of Metsan Valo. While her books might ask for suspension of belief due to the use of folklore and ghost story like themes, that is not hard for the reader because she weaves in elements of mystery with an effective atmosphere in her books; the goal of her writing is to entertain, to celebrate a history of her family, a place, and a context and to introduce some moody mystery and this is well done. I found it easy to connect with Anni's story, the complex family coming together facing a family loss is a theme that resonates with me and many readers, and the uncovering of hidden secrets and family/local lore is well paced and fun to read.

This book was another fun, welcome, and engaging, fast read for me from Ms. Webb, one of my more favorites of hers

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When Anni and her twin Theo return to their grandmother's home on an island in Lake Superior, settling the estate becomes the smallest part of their story. Both have relationships to work out, and there are other relatives with agendas of their own involved in the larger picture. Strange things happen--ghosts? tree spirits? a murderer? Webb incorporates some Finnish folklore in this one. Although totally freestanding, this book fits into the loose collection of Webb's other contemporary Lake Superior gothics, and is one of her best. Terrific read!

A mansion in the middle of the woods, Finnish folklore and a family reunion going wrong.

The mistress of Metsan Valo died and the family is coming together for the reading of her will. The guest list: twins - Anni and Theo - who were practically raised by their grandma; their mother, Arden, a free spirit, loving but chaotic; aunt Gloria who has just remarried and she's bringing her mysterious, new husband with her; cousin Vicky, who hasn't really spent much time at Metsan Valo, her husband Yale (who no one really likes) and their daughter, Lichen, who is more interested in her phone than what's happening around her. And then there are Meri and Martin, who have been helping out at the house as long as anyone can remember.
Once the family has gathered, odd things start happening. The twins are attacked by a swarm of fireflies, Anni is seeing things she's not sure are real, then their family home gets broken into.. And that's just the beginning.

I enjoyed the creepy elements in this story and the atmosphere Wendy Webb has created. I also liked the characters, who were relatable and fun to follow. The plot had enough surprises to keep me engaged and not enough to lose me. I didn't like the writing that much, with some phrases sounding a bit artificial. Finally, the resolution was pretty simple, which made the whole plot lose its importance a bit for me. All in all it was a fun read, great for the spooky season.

Thank you to Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I should start by saying that I read Daughters of the Lake, which is by the same author and set in the same place, but I have not yet read the author's second book in this series. However, some of the characters were familiar and I had the feeling that I was reuniting with old friends.

Where Daughters of the Lake was a chilling ghost story, The Keepers of Metsan Valo is steeped in local folklore and seems more of an homage to Nordic folktales than a haunting tale, per se.

This author's work is easy to read and I enjoyed the direct dialogue and frankness of the characters. I do think that this novel lacked a bit of the creepy atmosphere that usually resonates in a gothic mystery.

Still an enjoyable read, 3.5 stars from me.

Anni has always known she was kindred to her grandmother. Both saw the forest beyond her home as a place to be honored and revered. The passing of her grandmother presents her with a gift she’s not sure she wants or deserves. Metsan Valo enchants and haunts. Anni has never feared the place until her grandmother dies and the reading of the will will reveal more than she, her brother and mother expect. Happy reading

This is a DNF, I haven’t been reading thrillers and I couldn’t get into it, but maybe I’ll try in the future. From what I did read I do think some people may love some of these.

Sadly I couldn’t get into that one. There was too many details slowing down the read. Most of them felt unimportant and didn’t really help for the atmosphere. The description of the characters do too much telling and I was a little bored despite the very promising story. I think it could have started chapter 6 without losing much at all. This was not for me.

I thought this sounded spooky and would be a good Halloween-time read. Old house in an isolated area, family folklore and a touch of supernatural. Is the house haunted by the spirits Annie’s grandmother used to tell about in old Nordic tales? The family gathers after a long absence at the family home called Metsan Valo after the grandmother dies. Strange, unexplained things start happening and Anni finds out some family secrets that might threaten all at the house.

As with all books by Wendy Webb, I fall into the story immediately. This one was a little on the more whimsical side featuring Finnish myth and legend, wound with a family saga. It, unlike most of her other books, needed some tightening and the ending was a little less than I was hoping for after the build up. That said, I enjoyed the book and eagerly await the next story from this talented author.

The Keepers of Metsan Valo was a suspenseful plot line about Anni who returns home after the death of her beloved Grandmother. What ensues is a series of unexplainable happenings that seem other worldly. Is Anni imaging these things or is she really experiencing them? The setting was perfect for the story, and the characters are a mix of family and locals, mixture of likable and unlikeable.

I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I really enjoyed this novel. The story and the characters grabbed me from the beginning and the writing was excellent. I will definitely pick up something else by the author. It was a nice change from my typical reading list.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Fans of Wendy Webb will be pleased with her latest, “The Keepers of Metsan Valo” for including the gothic elements, folklore and Lake Superior setting we’ve come to expect and love from her writing. If you’ve read other works of hers though, you will notice a change in writing style and while this was another solid book from her, it may fall a little short for you when compared to some of her other works.

“Anni” Annalise Halla returns to her family home on Lake Superior known as Metsan Valo. Her grandmother, the mistress of the house, has passed away. When the remaining family arrives for the reading of the will, Anni is shocked to learn she has not only inherited the home but also half of her grandmother’s entire estate (her twin brother Theo receiving the other portion). Unsettled since arriving at Metsan Valo, Anni is even more stressed as the news of her inheritance shakes the remaining family. Soon strange things begin happening though—whispers in the night, laughter bursting from bubbling streams, ghostly visions and unsettling dreams. Are they welcoming or warning Anni? When another tragedy strikes the Halla family, Anni must take her place as mistress of Metsan Valo by discovering the truth of her heritage and facing the mystery head-on to save her family.

First of all, I’m a sucker for Easter eggs in books and this one has a ton. It makes it feel like you’re visiting old friends when we get overlapping characters and plots. I found the writing of this very simplistic and there was a lot of description overkill. Gothic novels are slow burns but I think at times the repetition wasn’t necessary. Webb did create an incredibly rich setting and even consolidating it a bit would’ve kept the magic of Metsan Valo in tact. My biggest complaint with this one was the ending. Slow burns are fine as long as it keeps burning but this one just fizzled out. I was waiting for more—more tension, a bigger climax, an unexpected villain, anything. It was just too easy. With that being said, maybe I’m just dramatic. Some may love the ending. Overall, it was a solid gothic novel and despite not being my favorite, I will continue reading her books and no doubt look forward whatever others come along.

I love stories that surround folklore, so when I read the synopsis for this book I was really intrigued.

Metsan Valo is more than a home; it is a family legacy with an enchanting and mysterious past. When the matriarch of Anni Halla’s family passes away, everyone is reunited at Metsan Valo to celebrate the life of their loved one and hear the reading of her will. But strange things are happening in the wake of Anni’s grandmother’s passing, and while Anni searches for answers, she discovers there may be more truth to Nordic folklore than she thought.

I really enjoyed reading this book and diving into the history of Anni Halla’s family. From European ancestry to the shores of Lake Superior, the folklore survived generations, and Anni seemed to be the only one who really appreciated it, even as a child. I was actually hoping there might be a bit more fantasy included in the story and not just the stories being passed down and a few weird occurrences here and there. But nevertheless, I thought it was a great story and definitely recommend it.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4265868212

Start with an old house, then add some Finnish and Viking ancestors, a lovely eccentric family, stir in a dash of little-folk folklore, et voila! You have a wonderful, atmospheric, and creepy story. These characters are well-drawn, and I loved them. This is going on my favorite books list. Now, off to read the rest of Wendy Webb's books!

A huge thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of the ARC.

#NetGalley #TheKeepersOfMetsanValo #WendyWebb #LakeUnionPublishing

This book is the perfect spooky, edge of your seat, keep you up late into the night Halloween book!!!!!!!!!!! I love this authors style of writing and am a fan for life. Wendy Webb has an amazing gift of storytelling that pulls you in and keeps you enthralled until the last page. I highly recommend this book

For some reason, it took me ages to finally read a book by Wendy Webb, but after reading her previous book, The Haunting of Brynn Wilder, I knew I was going to read anything she writes. The Keepers of Metsan Valo is just what you need if you are looking for an eerie and atmospheric read packed full of folklore. I started reading it in September, but it is the PERFECT book to choose for October if you aren't into super scary books. It gave me chills a few times, and Metsan Valo was the perfect creepy setting. Webb's writing is so vivid, and not only did she make this estate come to life for me, but she also brought the landscape around it to life as well. The book is told entirely from Anni's perspective, but I loved basically every single one of the characters, especially as we get to the end of the book. I especially loved Webb's note at the end of the book telling the reader where she got the idea of this story from, and it made perfect sense while also being fascinating.

I would definitely call The Keepers of Metsan Valo magical realism, and if you aren't a fan of that genre you will probably want to keep it moving. We have a supernatural undercurrent that runs through the entire book and while I loved it, I know this is not something everyone does. It is also a really quick read and could easily be finished in 1-2 days. Webb keeps the chapters pretty short while also ending almost all of them in a way that makes you want to keep reading. I was constantly telling myself just one more chapter, and I loved every single second. So why did I give it a 4/5 instead of a 5/5? For as amazing as I thought the whole book was, the end felt so anticlimactic, and I really wish there would have been a larger reveal or something more than what we got. The entire time I was reading it felt like it was leading up to something big, and especially after the end of The Haunting of Brynn Wilder, I was just hoping for so much more. However! The end is still satisfying for what it is, and this in no way deters me from reading more of Webb's novels. If you like magical realism with a strong dose of lore, The Keepers of Metsan Valo is the book for you!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wendy Webb is an author of quirky books that have supernatural overtones. I have enjoyed her books over the years and was happy to receive a copy of her latest book.

The Keepers of Metsan Valo follows Annalise (Anni) Halla as she returns to her grandparents home after the death of her grandmother. The house is set on a island on Lake Superior in a forest and has an otherwordly aura. Anni’s grandmother was of Finnish descent and told wonderful tales of supernatural happenings. Anni is surprised to learn that Metsan Valo was left to her and then all kinds of strange phenomenon start happening. Was there more truth to her grandmother’s stories than she was led to believe? Anni must figure out what is happening before things spiral out of control. Like all of Wendy Webb’s novels there are supernatural happenings and the beautiful location of the Great lakes.

With Halloween around the corner, this is a good book to get you into the spooky mood. The book is not super scary or gory, just enough magic and mystery to make a good Autumn read.

Thanks to Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing and Wendy Webb for the chance to read and review this book.

When Anni’s Mummo passes away, she and her family return to Metsan Valo for the reading of the will. When strange happenings start to take place on the island, Anni is unsure if she’s dreaming or if it’s reality, that is until her twin sees some of the strange events. Anni must delve into the family’s past history to save them all from the present. It all seems a bit crazy to Anni as folklore and legends don’t exist today ... or do they??

3.5 stars

"Metsan Valo was new hen the ancient trees had not yet fallen to the lumberman's axe, when mystery and wisdom still permeated the land and the water and the sky."

Who said you can't go home again? Metsan Valo is the Halla family home on Lake Superior. Taika “Mummo” Hallo has died. Her family did not know she was ill, she kept it a secret, but they have all returned to Mummo's home for the reading of her video will. In her will she speaks to her family and tells them what she has left for them. Some will understand, some will be upset, some will be shocked, and some will be jealous.

"You can travel the world over and eat every cuisine known to man but it's the food on your own table that speaks to your heart."


Anni begins noticing things that aren't quite right. She is happy to have her twin brother, Theo with her but she is the one who hears that strange knocks, the whispers on the wind, she and Theo both experience the swarm of the lightening bugs.

Are these things related to their grandmother's death? What family secrets will be learned?

With Wendy Webb, you know that there will be a blending of fiction and paranormal/supernatural elements. The author informs readers in her acknowledgements section that this book "...started with the nagging desire to immerse myself in the folklores of my ancestors."

This was an easy pleasing read that fan of Webb will enjoy. The setting set the stage and was both Gothic and atmospheric. The various characters were interesting, annoying, and multifaceted.

Overall, an enjoyable read perfect for the fall season especially if you enjoy folklore.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

The story is very atmospheric keeping in line with Wendy Webb's other books. It wasn't my favorite but still a great read. I enjoyed the cast of characters. Each was unique. I also loved the appearance of characters from other books that fans will recognize. Reading a book by this author leaves you completely immersed in the story she weaves and this is no exception. The wrap up to the mystery was a bit anticlimactic. Other than that, I really enjoyed it.