Liv Wentzel

Near the harbour on Neptunigatan in Mariehamn lies the so-called Neptuni House, the setting of Liv Wentzel’s chapter book for young readers. The story follows Judith, who moves with her family into an old villa in the city. The house is worn down and in need of renovation, but the problem is that it seems unwilling to change. It resists – nails bend in the boards, paint spills unexpectedly. After the family has moved in, Judith sees a girl dressed in old-fashioned clothes in the kitchen. The girl appears for a brief moment before vanishing like a ghost—but ghosts aren’t real, are they? Judith also discovers secret passageways and a hidden playroom in the house. She finds various puzzling objects, including a locket containing a tiny key, while her younger sister comes across a large seashell that emits a whispering sound, seemingly saying “Mon ami”. Their mother digs up a small skeleton in the garden, appearing to belong to a cat, and a painting of the sailing ship Moshulu hangs in the hallway, and comes to life at night. One day, they come across an old man at the playground, who speaks of the past, a time when a certain Captain Klinga lived in the house, and he hints that Neptuni House holds many well-kept secrets. What happened in the house? Is someone from another time trying to send Judith a message?   

Neptunihusets hemlighet (in English: “The secret of the Neptuni House”) is a mystery novel, but it also explores the fascinating era of sailing ships, back when Mariehamn was home to the world’s last great fleet of sailing vessels. The ship Moshulu is real and once sailed the world’s oceans in the early 20th century, and Captain Klinga is also based on a historical figure. The story takes place in Mariehamn, mentioning many of the city’s well-known locations and hidden gems. The book also delves into themes of growing up and friendship, as Judith and her best friend start drifting apart. This is a story with several motifs and many layers. It keeps readers engaged, eager to see how all the clues and mysterious objects connect. Whilst most questions are answered by the end, some unexplained events linger for readers to ponder.  

The author, journalist, and librarian Liv Wentzel previously lived in Mariehamn on Åland but now resides in Sweden. Her time on Åland laid the foundation for her writing career, and she has previously written three novels for an adult audience, drawing inspiration from Åland’s history. Neptunihusets hemlighet is Liv Wentzel’s first book for children.