Grim City

by Joe L. Hensley

Grimsley City, Kentucky, hasn't been particularly welcoming to Jim Carlos Singer. His father was killed in an as-yet-unsolved hit-and-run, his own practice hasn't gotten off the ground, and he's been the target of a series of anonymous threatening letters. These, however, turn out to be the least of his problems. When Singer accepts a job as a parole officer and judicial assistant to make ends meet, he finds himself in the middle of the sensational trial of Shirley Kentner, who is accused of planning the brutal torture and murder of her much older husband. Branded as a Jezebel by the community and facing a seemingly airtight prosecution, Shirley Kentner fascinates Singer, who can't believe she could be guilty. As he begins his own semiofficial investigation of the twisted case, Singer begins to uncover many of the unpleasant secrets that this small town is trying to protect, while his own shadowy past comes back to threaten his peace and his life.

231 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1994

About the author

Joseph Louis "Joe L." Hensley (March 19, 1926 - August 27, 2007) was a lawyer, prosecuting attorney, member of the Indiana General Assembly, circuit court judge, science fiction fan, and writer of science fiction and mysteries. He was a long-time resident of Madison, Indiana and died there of complications of leukemia.

The story "Killer Scent" was erroneously attributed to Joe E. Hensley in Alfred Hitchcock's A Choice of Evils

He also published as Louis J. A. Adams, J. L. Hensley and Joe Hensley

Reviews

[Rogue Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems unlikely but Hensley's Grim City is my first Kentucky mystery. Hensley has 14 previous works, and as a lawyer and circuit court judge is well positioned to know the details of legal procedure. This one though was predicated on an unlikely series of machinations that left me a little distanced from the crimes and investigations.

[Connie Giese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of a wealthy man's murder and the trial of his beautiful wife. Loved all the backstories and intrigue, although the torture in the sunshine truly gave me a nightmare. Overall, would recommend!