I didn't remind myself of the synopsis before reading this and that was honestly awesome - a Canadian goes back to the coast of England when her husband inherits his family's moody ancestral home, Grimdark, and has to face the sisters who hated him his entire life. Clo knows she's ancestrally from the same area and is hoping to explore her past. What a past she's about to find.

Not only are her husband's sisters absolute c*u*n*t*s, the house is somehow both creepy and enticing, and she starts having strange dreams and seeing things, and the small creepy (complimentary) girl in town tries to convince Clo that what she's seeing are memories of her past lives and they are tied to Grimdark - as important in the past as they are in the present.

Grimdark is a lesson that revenge can take hundreds of years, but that some grudges and greeds last for lifetimes. I was pretty enraptured while reading this, both furious and occasionally giggly, even a bit punch drunk, but I really enjoyed this. Despite a lot of the gothic vibes and darkness, there was also something light and beautiful about this book.

GRIMDARK by Shannon Morgan

Shannon Morgan is now one of my favorite authors. Truly! I read (& loved!) her two previous books (Her Little Flowers and In The Lonely Hours) so I was excited to receive an invitation to read her latest, Grimdark.

Spanning eight hundred(!) years and three timelines (1216, 1645 and present day), this is an epic historical gothic mystery. It explores reincarnation and past lives, features women as healers and cunning folk, while giving a good dose of mysticism, superstition, betrayal, and revenge. The meticulous historical research shows in the details of the location (Norfolk, England), dialects/dialogue, and the atmospheric writing.

I do wish there was a family tree or cast of characters list included as there were many individuals to keep track of. Even a layout of Grimdark Hall would have been a fun addition!

All in all, this was a well written and immersive story. The timelines and characters converged quite seamlessly, and most satisfyingly at the end. Highly recommend!

Rating: 4.25/5 ⭐️
Pub Date: 07.29.25
**ARC courtesy of Netgalley & KensingtonBooks

A dark Gothic tale set over multiple timelines that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and stories involving women branded as witches. Clo thought that her husband Jude's inheritance would be simply resolved, that they would travel from Canada to Norfolk and be well done with it quickly but that's not what happens. There's a sense of danger, a mysterious child, and a long history that pulls her in. This takes a bit of patience and an ability to keep the time lines straight but it's a rewarding read. Thanks to Netgalley the ARC. A good one.

Grimdark weaves three timelines spanning 800 years but begins in the modern age as a gothic tale with a Canadian woman, Cló, and her husband Jude traveling to England upon the death of his father to settle affairs on his childhood home, a creepy crumbling estate manor. Jude has only memories of trauma at the hands of his two older sisters, who still live in the manor, but Cló can’t help but be excited, curious, and ready to explore.
Soon, Cló‘s dreams and memories begin overlapping with the perspectives we read from the other timelines, and I couldn’t read fast enough to see how they and the people around her are connected.
Grimdark has themes of witchcraft, including real historical characters such as the Witchfinder Matthew Hopkins and King John (or, as the song from Disney’s Robin Hood always reminds us, “John the Worst”), pirates, and legends of lost treasure but with real emotional depth such as the impact that multiple failed attempts to carry a child to term have on Cló and Jude’s relationship.
At times, following the threads of multiple storylines and many characters was a little complex, but it led to a pretty thrilling climax, so it’s worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Morgan's "Grimdark" consumed my nights, somehow managing to outshine her already fantastic "Her Little Flowers" with a story that seeped into my bones like the persistent chill of an ancient manor. I couldn't shake the feeling that the decrepit estate wasn't just a backdrop—it became a character itself, holding centuries of secrets within its shadowed corners.

I was amazed by how Morgan masterfully wove together three distinct timelines. Following Effie in the 1640s, I witnessed the brutal reality of healing women branded as witches, their knowledge twisted into something monstrous by fearful men. These historical sections hit me with a raw authenticity that made the injustice feel visceral rather than distant.

The medieval timeline with the brothers, filled with treasure, betrayal, and vengeance, added another level to this unfolding story of reincarnation. Their fateful choices echoed through centuries, setting the stage for what was to come.

Clo's present-day journey captivated me with its delicate complexity. Her exploration of tarot and gradual acceptance of reincarnation created some moments I won't forget—times when the veil between past and present felt gossamer-thin. The convergence of all three narratives proved absolutely devastating.

What struck me most about "Grimdark" compared to Morgan's earlier work was how thoroughly she committed to the historical elements while maintaining supernatural dread throughout. The echoes between timelines created a haunting resonance that built toward an ending I still can't stop thinking about.

If you love gothic horror that blends historical depth with genuine supernatural terror, "Grimdark" will haunt your imagination long after the final page.

Special thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing the advance review copy, though all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I was completely drawn in by the multiple timelines weaving together a dark, twisty tale full of strong, compelling female characters. The plot kept me intrigued and turning pages, eager to see how the centuries-old secrets would unfold.

If you love atmospheric stories where the past and present collide with mystery and courage, this one’s worth your time. Recommended!

Multiple timelines, great female characters, a dark and twisty plot. Intriguing and gripping.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

4.25-4.5 Stars
A slow burn gothic horror novel, Grimdark takes place in the Wash (coastal Eastern England) and it's the third gothic fiction book from this author (I am a fan of the first two as well). Although it took a few chapters for Clo to find her gumption and for the story to really start to come together, the author pulls it off with gusto. The setting (Norfolk area and a dilapidated hall) is once again one of the main characters and the alternating timelines are easy to follow. I love the way the author intertwined historical events, legends, and people with the contemporary storyline. Although the book is heartbreaking and tragic, all of the broken pieces come together in the end for a satisfying resolution. I look forward to reading more of Shannon Morgan's works in the future.

Net Galley Feedback

Grimdark is a haunting novel that weaves together three timelines—1216, 1645, and the present—centering on the mysterious Grimdark Hall and the secrets buried within a remote English seaside town. Cló, who inherits the estate with her partner Jude, is drawn into the tragic history of witchcraft, betrayal, and a centuries-old quest for vengeance that links her to past lives. As the lines between past and present blur, Cló must confront long-held curses and the dark truths that threaten to consume them all.

**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.