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The Heat's On

By Chester Himes
Series: Penguin Modern Classics
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3.88 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Heat's On by Chester Himes is a gripping crime novel set in Harlem, where Detectives Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones tackle a complex world of crime and chaos. The story follows their pursuit of a mysterious albino killer amidst a backdrop of violence, racial tension, and social upheaval. With sharp dialogue and intense scenes, it captures the gritty, vivid essence of 1950s New York.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate a gritty, fast-paced crime thriller filled with colourful characters and sharp dialogue. This gripping tale set in Harlem offers an exploration of social issues through the lens of a detective story, appealing to fans of hard-boiled mystery with a dash of dark humour.

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The Heat's On

From the start nothing goes right for Coffin Ed and Grave Digger Jones. Dead bodies are piling up faster than they can run, and Coffin Ed and Grave Digger seem to always be one step behind the cause of all the mayhem--$3 million worth of heroin and a simple albino called Pinky.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

'The greatest find in American crime fiction since Raymond Chandler' – Sunday Times

Detectives Coffin Ed and Grave Digger Jones have lost two criminals. Pinky ran off – but it shouldn't be hard to track down a giant albino in Harlem. Jake the drug dealer, though, isn't coming back – he died after Grave Digger punched him in the stomach. And his death might cost them both their badges. Unless they can track down the cause of all this mayhem – like the African with his throat slit and the dog the size of a lion with an open head wound.

Chester Himes's hardboiled tales of Harlem have a barely contained chaos and a visceral, macabre edge all their own.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Heat's On by Chester Himes has been hailed as an exceptional addition to American crime fiction, reminiscent of Raymond Chandler's work. It is described as outrageous, shocking, and a wonderful read filled with descriptive gems and chaotic plots. Himes is celebrated for his command of character nuances and plot dynamics, earning him a place among the greats of the black literary tradition. His style is both tough and unique, making his Harlem novels cherished by readers for their cool and vivid portrayal of the human condition.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241521106

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 March 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 171g

Pages: 224

Collections

Chester Himes Crime & Thriller Fiction General Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics Series: Penguin Modern Classics

About the Author

Chester Himes was born in Jefferson City, Missouri in 1909 and grew up in Cleveland. Aged 19 he was arrested for armed robbery and sentenced to 25 years in jail. In jail he began to write short stories, some of which were published in Esquire magazine. Upon release he took a variety of jobs, from working in a California shipyard to journalism to script-writing, while continuing to write fiction. He later moved to Paris where he was commissioned to write the first of his Harlem detective novels, A Rage in Harlem, which won the 1957 Grand Prix du Roman Policier. In 1969 Himes moved to Spain, where he died in 1984.

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