The Stroke of Winter

A Novel

By: Wendy Webb

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

She’s restoring the old family home on the hill. And unearthing something evil.

In the tourist town of Wharton, on the coast of Lake Superior, Tess Bell is renovating her old family home into a bed-and-breakfast during the icy dead of winter…

As the house’s restoration commences, a shuttered art studio is revealed. Inside are paintings Tess’s late grandfather, beloved and celebrated artist Sebastian Bell, hid away for generations. But these appear to be the works of a twisted mind, almost unrecognizable as paintings she and others familiar with his art would expect. The sinister canvases raise disturbing questions for Tess, sparking nightmares and igniting in her an obsession to unearth the truth around their origins.

What evil has been locked away for so many years? The ominous brushstrokes, scratching at the door, and moving shadows begin to pull Tess further and further into the darkness in this blood-chilling novel of suspense by the #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Keepers of Metsan Valo.

©2022 Wendy Webb (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Great

This was a great ghost story! I could barely stop listening, I love her books and look forward to more.

good book

really liked the how the story was presented. it was uncovered in a great way that kept me listening. only small complaint is the ending seemed a bit rushed. would have liked to see what happened with the characters more afterward but maybe a second book could be made? apart from that the story was well written.

Great storyline, some repetitive phrasing

I loved this mystery! The plot was honestly so thrilling and it had all the aspects of a great mystery that grabs your attention and keeps it. However, the author literally used 3-4 phrases about 20 times throughout the novel. That’s the only criticism I had.

Another banger from Wendy Webb

I love Webb’s cozy horror-romances. I also appreciated Tess being middle aged and finding a fresh start, tangled as her new beginning was by the ghost of horrible familial trauma. Super fun installation, and I was so happy to see characters from the other Wharton books!

The Stroke of Winter

I am hooked on Webb’s books! I like the way some of the names/characters are recurring between the books that are set in the fictional town of Wharton (e.g. Simon/Johnathon and Kate/Nick) as well as the places, such as LuAnn’s Inn. The main character, Tess, in the Stroke of Winter is well developed, and the plot has interesting twists and turns. I do feel that the ending is a bit abrupt; however, the book held my attention and I really enjoyed this story.

Great plot

Very well written and wonderful plot, loved the atmosphere of the story. It pulls you in and keeps you binging to the end!

Maddness

Wow! What an interesting story about family drama and mental illness or was possession? I enjoyed listening to this story. It drew me in from the beginning. I loved it!!!

Xe Sands is hands down the best narrator

Great ghost story, as always, from amazing Wendy Webb, and the narration by Xe Sands covers all ages, genders, personalities — just brilliant— both of them 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Typically brilliant…

This book is bewitching, enthralling and amazing. It has been a pleasure to listen to another one of Wendy Webb’s masterpieces. I love Wendy’s work… it is always, deep, entwining and soul searching!
Wendy offers insights into the depths of life that most people never want to face, and opportunities to see how we can grow through the worst and the best life can offer.
And, truly, I love the landscapes she paints as her backgrounds… the area of The Great Lakes… wow! And… Xi Sands is always the perfect narrator, the perfect voice for Wendy’s books.
What a absolute pleasure to listen to.
Thank you Wendy, and Xi. Thank you.

Loved it!

Such a fun book. I loved every moment of it! The narrator was awesome! I’ve heard a few of her others and she never disappoints