Karen: A Brother Remembers by Kelsey Grammer
“Karen: A Brother Remembers is an unforgettable book for 2025.”
Karen: A Brother Remembers is a probing and introspective look into a family nearly undone by the unspeakable. In this deeply affecting story, Kelsey Grammar leaves no stone unturned.
There is no amount of preparation in life for confronting the tragic loss of a loved one. In July 1975, renowned actor Kelsey Grammer and his family would learn of the untimely death of Kelsey’s 18-year-old sister Karen. The cause of her death was both senseless and shocking as she was the victim of sexual assault before her horrific murder.
A Bond That Couldn’t Be Broken
Kelsey and his sister Karen were close throughout their youth as they were the only children from the union of Frank and Sally Grammer. By 1975, Kelsey was studying acting at Julliard while Karen had decided to leave college in Georgia and venture out to Colorado, perhaps in a pique of wanderlust. Her plans to travel back to Pompano Beach, Florida, for her 19th birthday went unrealized due to the murderous actions of Freddie Glenn and others.
Two years separated Kelsey and his sister, and Kelsey took the role of big brother seriously. His inability to save his sister has stung his soul for nearly 50 years and left him with a residual anger. He reserves this rage for Freddie Glenn, and he advocates for Karen and other victims when he speaks out against Glenn being granted parole from prison.
The murderous actions of Glenn and others couldn’t undo the bond between Kelsey and Karen, and Karen’s presence has never vacated Kelsey’s side. The love Kelsey has for his sister comes through on every page with every recall. He makes sure her memory lives on with this memoir.
Remembering Karen
Kelsey Grammer reflects on the beauty of the word “Remember” early in his memoir, and he does this remarkably well over the course of 370-plus pages. The reader can almost hear Grammer’s avuncular voice with every word as he relays both happy and poignant moments in Karen’s life as well as his own.
The story’s structure is free form, but that doesn’t detract from the impact of the narrative. Grammer is taking the reader with him on a journey to learn more about his sister’s experiences while recalling the times the brother and sister shared during their youth living in New Jersey and Florida. Grammer’s anecdotes about his mother and grandparents are heartfelt and often colorful.
The frustration Grammer feels as he attempts to unearth more about his sister’s final days in Colorado is palpable as various friends of Karen and Kelsey become standoffish, perhaps because the wound is still too fresh.
A Cathartic Journey Through Grief
Grammer’s investigation into the past evokes comparisons to the similar path taken by author James Ellroy in My Dark Places. Grief casts a shadow, and one way to cope with it is by talking about it. Grammer’s frank memoir explores his path towards spiritual healing in the decades since his unspeakable loss. This is a cathartic book that will elicit a hearty chuckle, a sigh of dismay and tears as the reader progresses through the story. Kelsey Grammer is known for his distinguished work in television, film and on stage, but his storytelling ability is superlative. Karen: A Brother Remembers is an unforgettable book for 2025.
About Kelsey Grammer:
Kelsey Grammer is an award-winning actor, producer, and author, best known for his portrayal of Dr. Frasier Crane on the hit NBC series Cheers and Frasier, one of television’s longest-running primetime roles. A Juilliard-trained actor, Grammer has starred on Broadway in productions such as Macbeth, Sweeney Todd, and Man of La Mancha, earning a Tony Award as producer of The Color Purple. He has won six Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Tony Award.
On screen, his work spans comedy, drama, and voice acting, with notable roles in X-Men: The Last Stand, The Simpsons (as Sideshow Bob), and Boss, for which he won a Golden Globe. Grammer is also the author of So Far…, his candid memoir, and has contributed to various projects in film, television, and publishing.
Widely regarded as one of the most versatile performers of his generation, Grammer continues to bring complex characters to life across stage and screen. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2001.
Publish Date: 5/6/2025
Genre: Nonfiction
Author: Kelsey Grammer
Page Count: 456 pages
Publisher: Harper Select
ISBN: 9781400252817
