**spoilers included**

Grimdark is a historical, gothic novel about Cló, a Canadian ornithologist who goes with her husband Jude to settle the estate of his late parents at Grimdark Hall, the family’s rambling mansion. Jude’s sisters still live in the house, and hate him and, by extension, Cló.

This story has a dual timeline (sometimes with a third), which was an interesting way to tell the story of the three reincarnated people in the story. Some have had an issue keeping track of these, but my opinion is that Shannon Morgan did an excellent job using these, and they were used in a way that fleshed out the story beautifully.

As I think back on my time reading this story, I really don’t think much happened, but it was still an enjoyable read. In my view, Jude’s presence in the story did nothing to advance the plot other than getting Cló to Grimdark Hall. While an important part of the exposition of the story, all scenes with Jude felt unnecessary and almost like an afterthought.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this chance to read this book in advance!

Grimdark was a gothic read filled with dual timelines and mysteries from both past and present. I loved the setting in Norfolk with the eerie estate as the stories setting as it added so much to the gothic atmosphere. Clo was a lovable and relatable character. I did feel like all the timelines started to get a little weird as we go from present day all the way back to the 1200's. Overall this was an intriguing mystery!

As Clo and her husband Jude spend more time in his childhood home, Grimdark Hall, Clo is haunted by visions of past lives and drawn to those who shared her past lives with her. Clo must work hard to remember, to relive past lives and search memories to solve an 800 year old mystery before it’s too late and the cycle begins again.

This mysterious tale effortlessly weaves present day realism with the mysticism and superstition of the past to take us on a journey between present day, 1645 and 1216.

I really enjoyed the intrigue and trying to work out the mysteries of Grimdark and I really enjoyed the different timelines and characters we are introduced to.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing, NetGalley and Shannon Morgan for this ARC!

Grimdark by Shannon Morgan is an interesting, eerie historical fiction that kept me engaged.

This historical fiction that has multiple timelines is an interesting book that creates an eerie, gothic mystery that kept me turning the page again and again.

The balance between realism and mystical evened out well to give a nice pace and plot. The location of Norfolk, England really helps set the scene and adds to the overall theme. A quite ambitious task to help bolster several timelines (present day, 1645, and 1216), but I think it was pulled off nicely.

If you like mystery, historical fiction, and multiple timelines, this book is for you.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/29/25.

I really enjoyed the basis of this story, but I do feel as though the timeline switches made the story a little confusing. I am usually 100% onboard with dual timelines, but this one was not quite executed to its full potential.