About the Author
Kathleen Grissom is a New York Times bestselling Canadian-American author who rose to international prominence with her debut novel, 'The Kitchen House.' Born and raised in Annaheim, Saskatchewan, Grissom's early career was spent in the fast-paced world of Manhattan as a graphics and advertising executive. However, it was her move to rural southern Virginia that fundamentally changed her life and career. While restoring 'Tall Oaks,' an 1830s plantation home, she discovered a historical map with the notation 'Negro Hill.' This discovery sparked a deep curiosity about the history of the land and the people who lived there, leading her to embark on a decade of research and writing.
Her debut, 'The Kitchen House,' published in 2010 when she was 61, became a massive word-of-mouth success and a permanent fixture on bestseller lists. The novel is celebrated for its unflinching look at the complexities of life on a Virginia plantation, explored through the eyes of an Irish indentured servant and the enslaved community that becomes her family. Grissom's writing is characterized by its emotional depth, meticulous historical accuracy, and its ability to tackle difficult themes of racial identity, class, and survival with grace and sensitivity.
Following the success of her debut, Grissom published 'Glory Over Everything' in 2016, a highly anticipated sequel that follows the life of James Pyke in pre-Civil War Philadelphia. In 2023, she released 'Crow Mary,' a standalone novel inspired by the real life of a Crow woman in the 19th century, further solidifying her reputation as a master of historical fiction. Grissom continues to live in Virginia, where the history of the landscape continues to inform her narrative voice. Her late-blooming career serves as an inspiration to writers everywhere, proving that powerful storytelling knows no age.