Gary H. Hensley

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Set primarily in Tennessee and Virginia from 1924 to 1976, this is the adventure-filled life story of Jim Taylor: lawman, lover, family man, churchgoer—and murderer.

After Jim's beloved sister Annie is raped and murdered at the age of 13, he becomes obsessed with finding her killer and meting out "payback." The story of that pursuit, Jim's revenge, and the stunning surprise ending of the book make up the central story.

When we first meet Jim, he's madly in love with young Lilly Mae Larkey, an ambitious beauty he's known since childhood. Between them and their eventual happiness, there are many twists and turns, a long separation, and a serious rival for Jim.

Along his journey from besotted teenager to respected, experienced lawman in Dawson, TN, Jim has a series of torrid relationships with other women and numerous encounters with lawbreakers, some of them extremely dangerous. One man leaves him with a nearly fatal head wound. The June 1943 race riots in Detroit are the impetus for reflections on the sad state of race relations in that era.

The author's father was a lawman in Sullivan County, TN. His life was the inspirational starting point for this work of fiction.


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Review of Red Eyes in The Daily Times

A very favorable review of Red Eyes appeared in The Daily Times newspaper of Maryville, Tennessee on Oct 23, 2015. To read the review, click on this link:

Life, love and revenge: Hensley pens murder mystery

About the Author

Gary H. Hensley
Gary H. Hensley

Gary H. Hensley grew up near Kingsport, TN. He now lives in Maryville, TN with his wife, Sherry. He served as a drill sergeant in the U.S. Army and is a retired city manager. He and his wife have three children and two grandchildren. Red Eyes is his first novel.

Contact Information
Email: garyhhensley@gmail.com
Phone: 865-983-1103