author

Joe L. Hensley

1926–2007

A small-town Indiana judge who also wrote sharp, atmospheric mysteries and science fiction, he built a rare double life in law and literature. His work drew on courtroom experience, but it also carried the curiosity and playfulness of a lifelong science-fiction fan.

1 Audiobook

Now We Are Three

Now We Are Three

by Joe L. Hensley

About the author

Born in Bloomington, Indiana, in 1926, Joseph Louis “Joe L.” Hensley studied at Indiana University, earning a B.A. in 1950 and an LL.B. in 1955. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, then went on to a long public career as a lawyer, prosecuting attorney, legislator, and circuit court judge in Indiana.

Alongside that legal career, he became a prolific writer of mysteries and science fiction. Reference sources describe him as especially active in suspense fiction, and The Poison Summer was noted by The New York Times as one of the year’s best mystery novels in 1974. He also published short science-fiction work and was deeply involved in fandom for decades.

Hensley spent many years in Madison, Indiana, and remained closely tied to both the legal world and the writing community. His papers are preserved at Indiana University, and his standing among science-fiction fans was recognized with the First Fandom Hall of Fame Award in 2006.