Glory over Everything

Beyond the Kitchen House

By: Kathleen Grissom

Narrated by: Santino Fontana, Heather Alicia Simms, Madeleine Maby, Kyle Beltran

The author of the New York Times best seller and beloved book club favorite The Kitchen House continues the story of Jamie Pyke, son of both a slave and master of Tall Oakes, whose deadly secret compels him to take a treacherous journey through the Underground Railroad.

Published in 2010, The Kitchen House became a grassroots best seller. Fans connected so deeply to the book's characters that the author, Kathleen Grissom, found herself being asked over and over, "What happens next?" The wait is finally over.

This new standalone novel opens in 1830, and Jamie, who fled from the Virginian plantation he once called home, is passing in Philadelphia society as a wealthy white silversmith. After many years of striving, Jamie has achieved acclaim and security, only to discover that his aristocratic lover, Caroline, is pregnant. Before he can reveal his real identity to her, he learns that his beloved servant, Pan, has been captured and sold into slavery in the South. Pan's father, to whom Jamie owes a great debt, pleads for Jamie's help, and Jamie agrees, knowing the journey will take him perilously close to Tall Oakes and the ruthless slave hunter who is still searching for him. Meanwhile Caroline's father learns and exposes Jamie's secret, and Jamie loses his home, his business, and finally Caroline.

Heartbroken and with nothing to lose, Jamie embarks on a trip to a North Carolina plantation where Pan is being held with a former Tall Oakes slave named Sukey, who is intent on getting Pan to the Underground Railroad. Soon the three of them are running through the Great Dismal Swamp, the notoriously deadly hiding place for escaped slaves. Though they have help from those in the Underground Railroad, not all of them will make it out alive.

©2016 Kathleen Grissom (P)2016 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Worth Reading But Kitchen House Is Better

Love historical fiction, and had hoped that this book was just as good as the Kitchen House but sadly, it does not come close! Did not find the characters to have that much depth, and thestory was missing something. Surprisingly, did not feel that the story drew me in, to the point where I was emotionally invested andtherefore,never shed a tear. However, still stuck with the story because thought it would improve. With regard to narration, I was less than impressed, especially with S.F's. performance of James. Yet, S.F. did a terrific job as portraying the character Joe in the book entitled You. Makes me wonder if the narration had been better, would I have enjoyed the book that much more?

Really good story

Though The Kitchen House is one of my all-time favorites, this one is pretty good too, with an interesting and not predictable plot line.

Excellent!!!

I don't like writing long reviews. All I can say is this book was EXCELLENT!!!

Surpasses it's Prequel

Telling the story from different perspectives but mainly from the primary character's, was a great method for sharing the internal conflicts of the characters even more so than in kitchen house. This was a story that had to be told.

Great story but the performance was disappointing

I enjoyed the Kitchen House so much that I jumped at the chance to listen to the sequel. The story is solid and kept me engaged even though the delivery of the characters often took me out of the story. I found the reading stilted and stiff.

A great continuation

I have been looking forward to another book from this wonderful author and to have it be a continuation of her original story was so great! Great story telling, wonderful characters and some of my curiosity of what happened to characters in her first book were answered. This book and its story line does for sure stand on its own but having the backstory (The Kitchen House) made it more enjoyable for me personally.
I truly hope there is much more to come from her. I would love some more personal and detailed follow up of what happened in the passing years to those at Tall Oaks.

very well done second half

I enjoyed this story. it gave me a whole to inside to the time period. it was painful and scary at points that life could really be this way.

Very Enjoyable Sequel

I completely enjoyed this listen. It's a follow up to the Kitchen House but stands on its own. I found myself frequently flinching at the descriptions of the abuse of slaves at the hands of men. Deplorable time in our history as a nation.
Multiple narrators make the listen even more enjoyable.
Well done.

Perfect!

One of the best stories I have ever experienced! Intelligent, vibrant, heartwarming, beautiful, unlike anythig else!

As good as The Kitchen House!

Any additional comments?

So glad I listened to The Kitchen House again and immediately started this wonderful
continuation!