The Darkening Globe is a dark, atmospheric paranormal murder mystery, set in Tudor England.
The story revolves around (pun whole heartedly intended) an ominous, fortune telling Globe, commissioned by the Sir Hugh Radclyffe, following his most recent expedition, his beloved Wife Beatrice, alongside their 2 children await his return with anticipation, little does she know, this return brings with it a mysterious lodger, and murder at every turn (sorry!).

I'm not usually one for Murder Mystery, but the Historical Fiction paired with the paranormal, and having read and loved The Burnings, I knew I had to at least give it a go, and I loved it. Naomi is such a fantastic writer, down to every intricate dress detail and sweeping sound.
My main criticism is that this was released in Spring, and not Autumn/Winter where I could live out my cold, dark, haunted evening reading fantasies with this beautifully gloomy book. I fear I will never look at a Globe the same again.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperNorth for this eCopy to review

The Darkening Globe by Naomi Kelsey, is an engaging read, with a fascinating setting, a layered narrative, and strong themes.

Set in 1597 London, the novel follows Beatrice, whose husband, Hugh, returns from an expedition to the New World with two unsettling surprises, a mysterious woman and an enormous painted globe. Hugh refuses to explain the woman’s presence, and Beatrice’s unease grows as she senses secrets lurking beneath the surface of her household.

The globe itself becomes an ominous presence. One night, it begins to turn on its own, revealing new, terrifying illustrations. Soon after, untimely deaths occur, and Beatrice becomes convinced that the eerie drawings are somehow connected to the murders. Determined to prove she isn’t imagining things, she embarks on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth.

As Beatrice delves deeper, she must unravel the mysteries surrounding Hugh’s journey to the Americas, the true identity of the strange woman, and the sinister force behind the killings. But as the globe continues to reveal its dark secrets, Beatrice fears she may be the final victim. As she navigates shifting alliances and unravels the truth, she's forced to confront her own moral dilemmas and the cost of survival. With each revelation, tensions rise, and the looming shadow over the world grows darker.

What really stood out to me was Kelsey’s ability to craft a rich, immersive setting. The world feels both haunting and beautiful, with descriptions that linger in the mind long after reading. I also appreciated how the novel delves into deeper themes—power, morality, and the unintended consequences of ambition. There were moments where I found myself reflecting on the characters’ choices, questioning what I would do in their place.

Overall, The Darkening Globe is an intriguing and atmospheric novel with thought-provoking themes.

Gothic vibes spun around spooky hand-crafted objects in 16th century London? It piqued my interest!

The literary Elizabethan world built in “The Darkening Globe” is an interesting one, and lovers of historical fiction would be fascinated by the concept of world explorers meets psychological thriller.

I did, however, have a bit of difficulty getting through the book. There were times where I skipped over pages as I felt chapters and dialogue repetitive. I just couldn’t connect with Beatrice or any of the other characters. They weren’t terrible, but they also weren’t memorable.

The story was beautifully written (and I still loved the globe as a plot device), so that at least kept me reading until the end, but I don’t think it will be a reread for me.

For gothic novel fans, the atmosphere does the genre justice though. It may be a perfect read for others who solely read for the setting!

// Thank you to HarperNorth UK and NetGalley for sending me the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! //

Set among the Elizabethan era of exploration, think ships sailing to the deepest corners of the earth, The Darkening Globe is a historical mystery that from the very first chapter gives an ominous, dark and creepy atmosphere.

Now, whilst I loved the unique premise and the darkness it created, I can't honestly say I enjoyed the actual storyline.

Based around (as you can guess from the title) a mysterious, sinister globe, which the 'man of the house' Lord Hugh had commissioned on his latest travels, when it appears, his wife Beatrice, the real boss of the house, feelings nothing but a gut wrenching fear. And when her maid is found murdered and then her daughter is badly burned, Beatrice knows it is all down to the arrival of the monstrosity that now takes centre stage of her home.

There is a lot going on throughout, with secrets galore, tested loyalties, and a touch of supernatural.

I personally didn’t get on with the characterisation and found the 'baddies' too predictable. I also found there was quite a bit of repetition, which is always a negative for me.

An ok read but not one that really stuck with me or had me turning the pages with any gusto.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper North for the ARC.

The Darkening Globe is a historical mystery set against the backdrop of Elizabethan era exploration, court intrigue and black magic. The unique and sinister motif of the globe sits at the heart of the story in more ways than one, and there are some wonderful gothic mise-en-scène.

However, I was disappointed by the characterisation: main protagonist Beatrice feels like a modern feminist transplant with some unforgivable blind spots, and the 'villains' of the piece were far too predictable for my liking. With stilted dialogue and frequent repetition, sadly the storytelling didn’t quite live up to the concept.

An interesting story full of love and friendship but also quite dark in places with malice, intrigue, threat and murder. I enjoyed this story very much and look forward to more from Naomi

This was an absolutely fantastic historical fiction with a touch of the supernatural making it also an awesome murder mystery/thriller! With Hugh back home from his voyage away, bringing back the pregnant Catalina and so many secrets, Beatrice has her hands full and so many things to contend with, not the least being a special globe that seems to foretell future disasters/deaths/accidents. I really admire Beatrice, she is so strong and does all she can to help her family and friends but still worries she may follow in the footsteps of her mother, sent to Bedlam. As this is historical fiction, it is so sad and awful that that threat was held above a woman's head anytime she went against a man's wishes, or heaven forbid, spoke up for herself. So I was definitely rooting for Beatrice to solve the mystery of the glob and stop the accidents and be able to keep the life she has carved out for herself. Sadly there are so many suspects and besides the globe (which gave me chills every time it started spinning!), there are motives galore. I was swept away in the journey and was not as smart as Beatrice in figuring it all out. But I cheered her on. :)

So, this was a great story and was so much fun to read! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

I have a copy of Naomi's previous book, The Burnings, but have yet to read it so this was my first foray into her world. And what a world it is. Her ability to capture a historical period is some of the best I've read. From the sounds and smells to the food and clothing, it's so vivid you can practically see yourself walking alongside them.

It is clearly a historical book, but there's elements of thriller and mystery, it's gothic, psychological, there's an element of fantasy, the supernatural, of magic.

Great character creation, especially that of Beatrice, that of a mother, wife, friend, a woman of higher class, of someone who holds secrets, a woman who wants to lead her own household but has to acquiesce to her husband and the rules of the time. She develops so much throughout the book, and yet she is still recognisable by the end.

Historical books, whilst I very much enjoy them, are not always the quickest to read. I often find myself taking a few days to get through them, as naturally I often find them a bit drier than the fast-paced thrillers and whatnot. But I read this in less than a day it was so addictive.

Naomi has weaved such a clever tale, full of intrigue and suspense, never going over the top. She fills it with twists and turns and surprises that you just can't see coming, and you'll find yourself perched on the edge of your seat as if it were a fast-paced crime novel.

I won't spoil it obviously, but let me tell you that I DID NOT see the ending coming. I wonder if I reread it, knowing what I know now, I'd be able to piece it together but I'm not sure I would. I think Naomi has worked it in so masterfully that it was the last thing I was expecting to happen.

This may only be Naomi's second book - and my first of hers - but it's clear why she's such a beloved author, and I will definitely be bumping The Burnings up my tbr list. It's clear that history is a passion of hers and she's making the subject fun and exciting, enjoyable and addictive.

The Darkening Globe by Naomi Kelsey is a gripping historical thriller that combines intrigue, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural. Set in 1597 London, the story follows Beatrice, whose life is turned upside down when her husband Hugh returns from exploring the New World with a mysterious woman in tow and an enormous, ominous painted globe.

As Beatrice grows increasingly suspicious of their guest and the globe’s sinister presence in their home, strange occurrences begin to unfold. The globe starts to turn off its own accord, and new, terrifying illustrations appear on its surface. When untimely deaths follow, Beatrice becomes convinced that the drawings are somehow linked to the killings. She embarks on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth, risking everything to expose the dark secrets surrounding her husband’s expedition, the mysterious woman, and the deadly force behind the murders.

Kelsey weaves a tale full of suspense and intrigue, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers on edge. The creeping sense of menace and the eerie presence of the globe add a supernatural element that heightens the tension throughout. Beatrice’s determination to uncover the truth, even in the face of growing danger, makes for a compelling and fast-paced read. The Darkening Globe is a thrilling, entertaining journey through a world of secrets, betrayal, and mystery that will leave readers eagerly turning the pages.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

This was a fantastic and engrossing historical fiction book filled with mystery and intrigue which I was completely lost in for two days
I loved everything about this. The writing and the plot flowed nicely while the characters were interesting and realistic. The plot was intriguing and mysterious which makes you want to turn the page
The second book I’ve read from this author and given 5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the arc

A lot of strange goings on here, with loyalties tested and secrets uncovered. On top of that, there's just the right amount of creepiness and menace surrounding that globe.
There was plenty of being kept wondering what was happening, or indeed what had happened in the past, to have me turning pages quite swiftly.
An entertaining read right the way through.
Look forward to seeing what more Kelsey brings.

The Darkening Globe: New for 2025, a haunting historical thriller from the award-winning author Each time the globe turns, murder strikes…

1597, London. When Beatrice’s husband returns from exploring the New World, he comes home with unexpected company: a mysterious woman, and an enormous painted globe.

As Hugh refuses to explain who their female guest is, Beatrice’s foreboding grows. The unwieldy globe now strikes her as sinister – a reminder of the world of secrets pervading her household.

Then one night, the great, hulking globe begins to turn of its own accord. Terrifying new illustrations appear on its face – and when untimely deaths ensue, Beatrice is convinced that the drawings are connected.