Grace Under Fire: Story 21 in the Tales of Suspense Series

by Jerry Jamison

When Grace Kirkman’s husband disappears under suspicious circumstances, she plays the grieving wife with convincing ease—but behind her perfect smile lies a calculating mind. As the investigation unfolds, Lieutenant Peroski begins to suspect the crime scene was staged, the body moved, and the truth artfully concealed. Grace, a poised 1950s housewife with a dark streak, knows just how to deflect suspicion while maintaining her grip on control—and her secrets. With the case growing colder and Peroski’s gut telling him something’s off, a deadly game of cat and mouse emerges. Is Grace hiding a murder in plain sight? Grace Under Fire is a psychological domestic thriller of deception, survival, and the terrifying things we do in the name of love.

Set in the seemingly wholesome postwar suburbs, Grace Under Fire is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the sinister undercurrents of domestic life. With nods to Hitchcock’s Rope and Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart, this novel lures readers into a world where guilt festers beneath the linoleum floors and secrets are buried with a smile. As the investigation spirals and Peroski closes in, Grace begins to unravel—but not in the way anyone expects. Because when it comes to survival, Grace has always known how to stay one step ahead. Even if it means crossing every line.

For fans of Gillian Flynn, Liane Moriarty, and Alex Michaelides, Grace Under Fire is a stylish, twist-filled noir that proves the most terrifying monsters can live behind the most beautiful façades.

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 22, 2025

About the author

The author of more than 30 published full-length fiction novels, Jerry Jamison has been an award-winning advertising copywriter with over 60 national writing and creative development commendations during his career. As the principal of a California-based advertising agency, he has helped create and guide successful and memorable campaigns for a wide range of clients throughout the country. The “Tales of Suspense” Series (currently 18 stories), is his first foray into the mystery/thriller genre.

Reviews

[Miguel Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An expertly written psychological thriller.

The elements of mystery, combined with a high level of suspense, had me captivated. I cannot wait to read more stories by Jerry Jamison. The book cover is excellent, the characters were realistic, and I enjoyed reading the story from Grace's POV. The pace is a little slow in the beginning, but it picks up quickly. The book length is perfect, and I truly enjoyed this short story.

I highly recommend it! Grace Under Fire is a perfect way to counter a reading slump or to try something new. The formatting wasn't perfect, but it was only in a few spots, and Jerry Jamison can easily fix it with another read through.

[Timothy Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating and Full of Suspense

I didn’t expect much from this little story, so I was in for quite the surprise. The opening scene is exquisitely shocking and when the police show up, it’s quite the psychological ride. At some points, Grace’s psyche reminded me of Rodion’s mental decline (Crime and Punishment). In other words, of the guilty party isn’t caught, then their psychological decline will most assuredly implicate them in the end. Overall, this is an excellent read and perfectly entertaining for an afternoon read!

[Orlando Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Thriller

This is a great dark and sunspensful thriller set in the 50s which I found to be a great change of pace personally. There is an exciting and thrilling psychological back and forth with the lead investigator. I really enjoyed this book and it definitely gave me some Hitchcock vibes.