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Harlem Cycle #6
The Heat's On
Detectives Coffin Ed and Grave Digger Jones are in the hot seat in one of the most chaotic, brutally funny novels in Chester Himes’s groundbreaking Harlem Detectives series.
From the start, nothing goes right for Coffin Ed and Grave Digger. They are disciplined for use of excessive force. Grave Digger is shot and his death announced in a hoax radio bulletin. Bodies pile up faster than Coffin Ed and Grave Digger can run. Yet, try as they might, they always seem to be one hot step behind the cause of all the mayhem—three million dollars’ worth of heroin and a giant albino called Pinky.
From the start, nothing goes right for Coffin Ed and Grave Digger. They are disciplined for use of excessive force. Grave Digger is shot and his death announced in a hoax radio bulletin. Bodies pile up faster than Coffin Ed and Grave Digger can run. Yet, try as they might, they always seem to be one hot step behind the cause of all the mayhem—three million dollars’ worth of heroin and a giant albino called Pinky.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
29 people are currently reading
964 people want to read
About the author
Chester Himes
123 books487 followersChester Bomar Himes began writing in the early 1930s while serving a prison sentence for armed robbery. From there, he produced short stories for periodicals such as Esquire and Abbott's Monthly. When released, he focussed on semi-autobiographical protest novels.
In 1953, Himes emigrated to France, where he was approached by Marcel Duhamel of Gallimard to write a detective series for Série Noire, which had published works from the likes of Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and Jim Thompson. Himes would be the first black author included in the series. The resulting Harlem Cycle gained him celebrity when he won France's Grand Prix de Littérature Policière for La Reine des Pommes (now known in English as A Rage in Harlem) in 1958. Three of these novels have been adapted into movies: Cotton Comes to Harlem, directed by Ossie Davis in 1970; Come Back, Charleston Blue (based on The Heat's On) in 1972; and A Rage in Harlem, starring Gregory Hines and Danny Glover in 1991.
In 1968, Himes moved to Spain where he made his home until his death.
In 1953, Himes emigrated to France, where he was approached by Marcel Duhamel of Gallimard to write a detective series for Série Noire, which had published works from the likes of Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and Jim Thompson. Himes would be the first black author included in the series. The resulting Harlem Cycle gained him celebrity when he won France's Grand Prix de Littérature Policière for La Reine des Pommes (now known in English as A Rage in Harlem) in 1958. Three of these novels have been adapted into movies: Cotton Comes to Harlem, directed by Ossie Davis in 1970; Come Back, Charleston Blue (based on The Heat's On) in 1972; and A Rage in Harlem, starring Gregory Hines and Danny Glover in 1991.
In 1968, Himes moved to Spain where he made his home until his death.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
January 6, 2022
When a heatwave hits New York City it might slow people down, but it doesn't stop crime from happening. Detectives Coffin Ed & Grave Digger Jones are hunting for a giant albino & fighting the heat as well as the criminals.
Chester Himes dishes out some cracking dialogue, almost as fast as Ed & Jones dish out violence on the street of Harlem. This 1961 novel is the 6th in the Harlem Cycle & it's a fast paced crime story, often full of dark humour. Dion Graham narrates the story superbly & brings every one of the chracters to life.
Chester Himes dishes out some cracking dialogue, almost as fast as Ed & Jones dish out violence on the street of Harlem. This 1961 novel is the 6th in the Harlem Cycle & it's a fast paced crime story, often full of dark humour. Dion Graham narrates the story superbly & brings every one of the chracters to life.
February 13, 2025
Another lowdown and sweat-drenched tale of depravity from the master of unhinged, convoluted, and supercool noir.
October 7, 2020
Himes' unique blend of mayhem, mystery, brutality, humor and colorful characters are like a breath of fresh air.
I found The Heat's On more hard hitting, less tongue-in-cheek than previous Harlem Cycle stories. Nothing seems to go right for detectives Coffin Ed and Grave Digger Jones. They get shot up and suspended from the force, and with news of Grave Digger's death Coffin Ed goes rogue, taking justice into his own hands as the body count soars. Most evident here is Himes' fearsome hostility towards the drug traffic that was ravaging New York city's streets at the time. The prose is workmanlike, and occasionally so vivid as to be stunning.
"Colored people were cooking in their overcrowded, overpriced tenements; cooking in the streets, in the after-hours joints, in the brothels; seasoned with vice, disease and crime. An effluvium of hot stinks arose from the frying pan and hung in the hot motionless air, no higher than the rooftops — the smell of sizzling barbecue, fried hair, exhaust fumes, rotting garbage, cheap perfumes, unwashed bodies, decayed buildings, dog-rat-and-cat offal, whiskey and vomit, and all the old dried-up odors of poverty."
Highly recommended to crime fiction fans looking for something a bit off the beaten track.
I found The Heat's On more hard hitting, less tongue-in-cheek than previous Harlem Cycle stories. Nothing seems to go right for detectives Coffin Ed and Grave Digger Jones. They get shot up and suspended from the force, and with news of Grave Digger's death Coffin Ed goes rogue, taking justice into his own hands as the body count soars. Most evident here is Himes' fearsome hostility towards the drug traffic that was ravaging New York city's streets at the time. The prose is workmanlike, and occasionally so vivid as to be stunning.
"Colored people were cooking in their overcrowded, overpriced tenements; cooking in the streets, in the after-hours joints, in the brothels; seasoned with vice, disease and crime. An effluvium of hot stinks arose from the frying pan and hung in the hot motionless air, no higher than the rooftops — the smell of sizzling barbecue, fried hair, exhaust fumes, rotting garbage, cheap perfumes, unwashed bodies, decayed buildings, dog-rat-and-cat offal, whiskey and vomit, and all the old dried-up odors of poverty."
Highly recommended to crime fiction fans looking for something a bit off the beaten track.
April 9, 2014
Books like this are one good reason not to peruse the bestseller list for something to read. The prose is tight, with just enough detail to give the reader a flavor, but not interfere with the pace.
With characters named Coffin Ed, Grave Digger, and Pinky a decent writer has to get out of the way of the story, which is what Himes did. The backdrop is 1950s Harlem, and Himes had enough experience with crime to know what he was writing about.
The book is fast paced, easy on the eyes, interesting from the historical perspective, with enough touches of humor to keep the mood good.
With characters named Coffin Ed, Grave Digger, and Pinky a decent writer has to get out of the way of the story, which is what Himes did. The backdrop is 1950s Harlem, and Himes had enough experience with crime to know what he was writing about.
The book is fast paced, easy on the eyes, interesting from the historical perspective, with enough touches of humor to keep the mood good.
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October 23, 2025My Review for The Real Cool Killers: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
(1) Very good introduction.
(2）Have to say it is a book for hot days.
(3)As usual, a lot of brutality from both the cops and the criminals suspects, and you don’t want to mess with the firemen either. LOL
More to come.
(1) Very good introduction.
(2）Have to say it is a book for hot days.
(3)As usual, a lot of brutality from both the cops and the
More to come.
December 28, 2024
six out of five stars. total masterpiece!
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January 6, 2020Trago mais uma opinião atrasada. Pois é, falo agora de "Cidade Escaldante", este livro é pequeno, mas demorou-me imenso tempo a ler, talvez mais de quinze dias. Se me perguntarem se o livro é mau, até nem é. Mas, não sei, não estava a aliciar-me.
É um livro passado nos Estados Unidos, está-se numa época em que o calor é sufocante e as pessoas andam saturadas. Há um crime (melhor, vários), várias pessoas estranhas (um negro gordo e albino, uma senhora que faz curas pela fé ao mesmo tempo que vende droga, um motorista chanfrado, enfim, um sem fim de gente estranha) e dois polícias negros completamente entregues à profissão, mas que se perdem na história e perdem protagonismo.
Continuação e classificação: https://livrosdevidro.blogs.sapo.pt/o...
É um livro passado nos Estados Unidos, está-se numa época em que o calor é sufocante e as pessoas andam saturadas. Há um crime (melhor, vários), várias pessoas estranhas (um negro gordo e albino, uma senhora que faz curas pela fé ao mesmo tempo que vende droga, um motorista chanfrado, enfim, um sem fim de gente estranha) e dois polícias negros completamente entregues à profissão, mas que se perdem na história e perdem protagonismo.
Continuação e classificação: https://livrosdevidro.blogs.sapo.pt/o...
January 31, 2019
If you like ram, bam shoot 'em man cops and robbers of the classic period then these novels are for you. A false fire alarm call leads Grave Digger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson in to a whirlwind of drug dealers small users, bigger pushers and mobsters. Along the way there are enough violent deaths to last the avid fan for ages.
Very fast moving. Some crazy characters and near death experiences all add up to a great read. At the end we are left with the grim realities of life in the environs of Harlem in the 1950's.
Very fast moving. Some crazy characters and near death experiences all add up to a great read. At the end we are left with the grim realities of life in the environs of Harlem in the 1950's.
October 3, 2009
This book continues Himes' tradition of offbeat & dangerous characters. Sister Heavenly leads this cast of drug dealers, charlatans and murderers. Anything to get the money, the drugs & the treasure map.
This time, Gravedigger Jones takes a bullet, gets laid up in the hospital and eventually slips into a coma. Coffin Ed Johnson is on the case alone. Oh, I forgot to mention that their badges were revoked, so while tracking the suspects, they were really working as vigilantes. Does Coffin Ed step away from the case? Hell, no. His partner & best friend is in the hospital and must be avenged. So, he polishes their matching revolvers and tracks the offenders "with homicide in his eyes".
This book goes further than the previous ones in showing the deep connection between these two men. The proof is when hard-boiled Coffin Ed finds out Gravedigger is gonna make it: he breaks down in tears that stream down his acid-scarred face & says that that's the only thing that mattered about the case.
This time, Gravedigger Jones takes a bullet, gets laid up in the hospital and eventually slips into a coma. Coffin Ed Johnson is on the case alone. Oh, I forgot to mention that their badges were revoked, so while tracking the suspects, they were really working as vigilantes. Does Coffin Ed step away from the case? Hell, no. His partner & best friend is in the hospital and must be avenged. So, he polishes their matching revolvers and tracks the offenders "with homicide in his eyes".
This book goes further than the previous ones in showing the deep connection between these two men. The proof is when hard-boiled Coffin Ed finds out Gravedigger is gonna make it: he breaks down in tears that stream down his acid-scarred face & says that that's the only thing that mattered about the case.
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September 19, 2021When Grave Digger Jones gets dropped with a gunman’s bullet, Coffin Ed brings savage retribution to Harlem. The most conventionally plotted of these, and probably not surprisingly, my least favorite. Not to say that it’s bad, it’s not bad at all, it’s good, it’s just not as good as the others. Still, a ton of weird fabulous throw away stuff about Albino ex-boxers and viciously immoral geriatric heroin dealers. Library, but, you know, I’d keep it because I want an entire collection of Himes’s stuff at some point.
Update several years on: Saw this on a stoop and figured I'd take any opportunity to re-read part of Hime's magnificent decalogue chronicling the investigations of two black detectives responsible for keeping peace in Harlem. As always, Himes' swirling panorama of black New York is more interesting than the actual investigation but that's more advertisement than knock.
Update several years on: Saw this on a stoop and figured I'd take any opportunity to re-read part of Hime's magnificent decalogue chronicling the investigations of two black detectives responsible for keeping peace in Harlem. As always, Himes' swirling panorama of black New York is more interesting than the actual investigation but that's more advertisement than knock.
March 3, 2020
This sixth outing for Harlem police detectives Coffin Ed and Gravedigger Jones opens with a drug-dealing dwarf attempting to dissuade and African American albino giant from turning in a false fire alarm at a swanky apartment building on Riverside Drive. It is 1:22 AM. The bodies start piling up within the hour.
As in all of Himes’ crime series, the plot escalates over the next couple of days. He knows how to pull this stuff off, but this time out he falls into the trap of having to gather surviving characters together in a final scene and have someone explain what’s been going on. Well, if it was good enough for Sherlock Holmes…
One valuable lesson learned: When dealing with a vial of nitroglycerin, you need to read the instructions.
As in all of Himes’ crime series, the plot escalates over the next couple of days. He knows how to pull this stuff off, but this time out he falls into the trap of having to gather surviving characters together in a final scene and have someone explain what’s been going on. Well, if it was good enough for Sherlock Holmes…
One valuable lesson learned: When dealing with a vial of nitroglycerin, you need to read the instructions.
August 8, 2021
3.5 stars. An entertaining, engaging, humorous, eventful crime fiction novel where two black detectives become involved in investigating a heroin smuggling operation. A number of people are murdered and both detectives are accused of abusing their law enforcement powers. One memorable character is Pinky, a simple, black albino, giant of a man. He disguises himself by being covered in black ink.
This book was first published in 1966.
This book was first published in 1966.
July 31, 2025
I have read the first 5 books in this series and rated them between 3 and 4 stars. The reason I didn't give a higher rating is because I think Himes' writing style is a little choppy and awkward. But his strong point is creating memorable characters that he puts in amazing situations in the crime world of Harlem in the 50's. Number #5 "All Shot Up" was the high point so far. But this novel was a big disappointment. It didn't have the usual lunacy, surreal characters and bizarre and often very funny events that made the earlier novels so enjoyable. Even the usual byplay and repartee between Gravedigger and Coffin Ed fell flat. Ed's reaction to the death hoax at the end was very 2-dimensional and added little to the story. I did read the next book in line "Cotton Comes to Harlem" and I am glad to see that Himes is back in form and I gave it 4 stars. My recommendation would be to skip "the Heat's On (#6) and jump right from #5 to #7. But if you are like me and like to read a series in chronological order then don't think Himes' has lost his touch with this entry because he gets it back full force in "Cotton Comes to Harlem (#7)". I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series - "Blind Man With a Pistol".
March 16, 2025
Chester Himes is a singular writer—a wicked wit, cutting, violent prose, a knack for uniquely vivid metaphor, and a sense of morality and justice that is deliciously, defiantly complex.
I didn’t love this book. The plot was convoluted, the characters a little tired, the wrap up a little too neat. And the violence and ugliness — reflecting, presumably, Himes’ grappling with his own dark times — were a struggle for me in our current violent, ugly darkness. Too sad, frankly, too jarring a reminder of how easily things fall apart when rank cruelty and forced desperation hold too much sway.
But there’s so much to love in Chester Himes’ writing, including in this book. I’d start with some of the earlier Gravedigger and Coffin Ed books, and if the shoe fits, you'll make it to "The Heat's On" eventually, and find lots of things to like.
I didn’t love this book. The plot was convoluted, the characters a little tired, the wrap up a little too neat. And the violence and ugliness — reflecting, presumably, Himes’ grappling with his own dark times — were a struggle for me in our current violent, ugly darkness. Too sad, frankly, too jarring a reminder of how easily things fall apart when rank cruelty and forced desperation hold too much sway.
But there’s so much to love in Chester Himes’ writing, including in this book. I’d start with some of the earlier Gravedigger and Coffin Ed books, and if the shoe fits, you'll make it to "The Heat's On" eventually, and find lots of things to like.
March 29, 2014
I read a number of Chester Himes' novels before I really caught on to how brilliant a humorist he is. This is the novel where his humore revealed itself. Some of the scenes, pitched with violence and pathos, had a heightened surrealism that reminded me more of Magritte than Raymond Chandler--even though, as a murder/detective writer Himes is up there with the best. It also helps that I happen to live blocks from where a lot of the action takes place in this novel and, after reading it, it gave the whole area a fresh glaze.
August 16, 2017
spettacolo! un noir devastante ambientato in una harlem ancora "rustica", violentissimo eppure mitigato da un senso dello humor (sovente nero) mai gratuito. e la furia di coffin ed è indimenticabile...
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December 18, 2016Indeed the heat is on
August 4, 2017
Himes takes his readers on a ride of mystery that seems realistic, yet very humorous
September 6, 2023
Při čtení kriminálky z Harlemu šedesátých let (vydané u nás ve slovenštině jako Vrať sa, smutný Charleston), se člověk jen těžko vyhne vytváření určitých předsudků. Snažil jsem se s tím bojovat, ale marně, bylo to silnější než já:
Slovenština vážně není jazyk vhodný pro překlady románů drsné školy.
Omlouvám se všem slovenským přátelům, ale přijde mi, že jako jazyk se slovenština nejvíc hodí k vyprávění pohádek dětem či uklidňovaní divé zvěře. Pokud hrdina vstoupí do drogového doupěte na najde tam „vypchaté veveričky“ či někomu nadává do „ťuťmáků“, vzbuzuje to pocit, že se za chvíli všichni obejmou a začnou tančit po louce.
Ale byla to poslední věc, která u nás od Himese vyšla a obávám se, že dál už se budu muset potýkat s angličtinou a s harlemským dialektem.
Když odhlédnu od jazyka, tak už je vidět, že to patří do druhé poloviny harlemské série, čili je to mnohem zběsilejší a šílenější. Spíš než detektivku to připomíná příběhy Elmore Leonarda, čili sledujeme gaunery, které se vzájemně snaží podrazit a získat něco, co čtenář dlouho netuší, co je. Až tedy na to, že postavy v Leonardovských gangsterkách se snaží alespoň budit zdání nějakých zásad a aspoň předstírají nějaké váhání. Tady vás podrazí ještě dřív, než stihnete říct „ahoj“. Jak to definují dva policisté: mrknete jednou a jste mrtví. Mrknete dvakrát a jste zakopaní pod zemí.
Je to fakt už ryzí černá groteska, kde se lidi probodávají tak mezi řečí a vůbec dělají tak hnusné věci, až je to zábavné (rozhodně to nedoporučuju lidem, co mají psy, tady se k nim fakt nechovají hezky). Tak je tu více prostoru věnováno zločincům než dvojici černých detektivů.
Ale jak sledujete postavy bez jakýchkoliv záklopek, které se řídí jen svou vlastní zištností (obvykle kombinovanou s velmi nízkou inteligencí), je to vážně zábava. Která je navíc popisovaná správně suchým a lakonickým stylem, nezatěžovaným nějakými morálními soudy.
Zatím beru Chestera Himese jako jeden z objevů tohohle roku… a trochu mě to vyděsilo. Kolik věcí člověk takhle v mládí přečetl a nedocenil, protože ještě neměl takový rozhled?
Slovenština vážně není jazyk vhodný pro překlady románů drsné školy.
Omlouvám se všem slovenským přátelům, ale přijde mi, že jako jazyk se slovenština nejvíc hodí k vyprávění pohádek dětem či uklidňovaní divé zvěře. Pokud hrdina vstoupí do drogového doupěte na najde tam „vypchaté veveričky“ či někomu nadává do „ťuťmáků“, vzbuzuje to pocit, že se za chvíli všichni obejmou a začnou tančit po louce.
Ale byla to poslední věc, která u nás od Himese vyšla a obávám se, že dál už se budu muset potýkat s angličtinou a s harlemským dialektem.
Když odhlédnu od jazyka, tak už je vidět, že to patří do druhé poloviny harlemské série, čili je to mnohem zběsilejší a šílenější. Spíš než detektivku to připomíná příběhy Elmore Leonarda, čili sledujeme gaunery, které se vzájemně snaží podrazit a získat něco, co čtenář dlouho netuší, co je. Až tedy na to, že postavy v Leonardovských gangsterkách se snaží alespoň budit zdání nějakých zásad a aspoň předstírají nějaké váhání. Tady vás podrazí ještě dřív, než stihnete říct „ahoj“. Jak to definují dva policisté: mrknete jednou a jste mrtví. Mrknete dvakrát a jste zakopaní pod zemí.
Je to fakt už ryzí černá groteska, kde se lidi probodávají tak mezi řečí a vůbec dělají tak hnusné věci, až je to zábavné (rozhodně to nedoporučuju lidem, co mají psy, tady se k nim fakt nechovají hezky). Tak je tu více prostoru věnováno zločincům než dvojici černých detektivů.
Ale jak sledujete postavy bez jakýchkoliv záklopek, které se řídí jen svou vlastní zištností (obvykle kombinovanou s velmi nízkou inteligencí), je to vážně zábava. Která je navíc popisovaná správně suchým a lakonickým stylem, nezatěžovaným nějakými morálními soudy.
Zatím beru Chestera Himese jako jeden z objevů tohohle roku… a trochu mě to vyděsilo. Kolik věcí člověk takhle v mládí přečetl a nedocenil, protože ještě neměl takový rozhled?
February 9, 2023
A powerful albino pulled a fire alarm to get the police to come where he was. He was disguising his personality to be a halfwit. He was chilling with a dwarf named Jake. Coffin and Digger come into the scene and punch Jake In the stomach because he was trying to swallow drugs or something. Jake ends up dead from the punch and the chief take Digger and Coffin of the case for killing a victim. fast forward to the end The albino was the one who killed Gus by shaking him and causing Gus to break his neck. Gus told him in Africa where he was going they don’t like colored people. The Albino put Gus in the trunk. And a drug dealer who is working with Gus came to the house to get the trunk thinking there is heroine in it. The albino finds the trunk that was put on a ship to go to France I think and brought back to the house. Gus and Ginny were working with this drug lord to transport the drugs. It turns out that Gus put the drugs in electric ells and puts them in another trunk that the Albino put on fire. Obviously from the way the albino talks to his only relative of a woman I think named Sweetie he is clearly not a half wit. The albino likes to get high on heroine at her house. Sweetie gets involved in the whole drug thing and wants it for herself since she already sells heroine. The way the story was written was smooth. But at the end when we got the explanation we discover all these loop holes from what Ginny tells Coffin Johnson. I didn’t like being put in dark through out most of the book about who did what. I still enjoyed the book. oh my god and Gold Digger almost died!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2024
More a 3 1/2 than a 3, but not quite a 4.
I picked this off the shelf because it was slim and I needed something sharp and fast. The Heat's On delivered that and more.
I hadn't read any Himes before this, but I was familiar with his cop protagonists, Coffin Ed and Gravedigger Jones (rad goddamned names) from the movies Cotton Comes to Harlem and A Rage in Harlem (highly recommended, both). This did not disappoint.
The story itself is fine. There's a trunk that may or many not have an African treasure map in it, not everyone believes there's a map, but they all know the trunk is worth something. What follows is a series of crosses as characters think they have the upper hand, but then lose it to someone else, who loses it to someone else, etc, etc.
The great thing here is that none of these characters get enough pages to become main characters. The book flits between them, and the benefit of that format is that we only ever know what the character we're following at the time knows. We don't get to see what the other characters are doing in the meantime, we just follow these people as they wander around the city. Then, in the end, after the third or fourth round of explosive violence, the cops put most of the pieces together, and it's only THEN that we kind of understand what happened and why.
What really made this book great were the descriptions. Himes uses a LOT of adjectives to grotesquely describe the city in this heatwave. The smells of the alleyways and the streets, offal, dead animals, sweat, he really makes you not want to be there, and it adds motivation for all of the characters. They don't want to be there either.
I picked this off the shelf because it was slim and I needed something sharp and fast. The Heat's On delivered that and more.
I hadn't read any Himes before this, but I was familiar with his cop protagonists, Coffin Ed and Gravedigger Jones (rad goddamned names) from the movies Cotton Comes to Harlem and A Rage in Harlem (highly recommended, both). This did not disappoint.
The story itself is fine. There's a trunk that may or many not have an African treasure map in it, not everyone believes there's a map, but they all know the trunk is worth something. What follows is a series of crosses as characters think they have the upper hand, but then lose it to someone else, who loses it to someone else, etc, etc.
The great thing here is that none of these characters get enough pages to become main characters. The book flits between them, and the benefit of that format is that we only ever know what the character we're following at the time knows. We don't get to see what the other characters are doing in the meantime, we just follow these people as they wander around the city. Then, in the end, after the third or fourth round of explosive violence, the cops put most of the pieces together, and it's only THEN that we kind of understand what happened and why.
What really made this book great were the descriptions. Himes uses a LOT of adjectives to grotesquely describe the city in this heatwave. The smells of the alleyways and the streets, offal, dead animals, sweat, he really makes you not want to be there, and it adds motivation for all of the characters. They don't want to be there either.
April 22, 2021
The most brutal of the Harlem Detective novels I've read so far. Don't start the series here, because you need to know a little bit about the relationship between Grave Digger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson in order to fully enjoy this book.
It begins, as with all the H.D. Cycle, in a uniquely misguiding and confusing media res situation. During a brutal heat wave, a giant albino named Pinky has pulled a false fire alarm to alert the authorities to a threat against his adoptive father Gus from Gus's wife and an unnamed African man. A heroin dealer named Jake is on the scene and once Coffin Ed and Grave Digger show up things escalate quickly. Even by Himes standards this is a violent and brutal book; it's also hilarious. The body count soars in step with the mercury in the thermometer. Both the detectives get badly fucked up by some French connection type heroin goons.
Lots of Himes archetypes: religious con artists, scams, black crooks shucking and jiving to dupe racist white cops, the nickel plated revolvers improving the morgue's business, etc. But all at peak performance.
If you know Himes you must read. If you don't know Himes, read the preceding five H.D. novels before savoring this one. It really might be the best one so far.
It begins, as with all the H.D. Cycle, in a uniquely misguiding and confusing media res situation. During a brutal heat wave, a giant albino named Pinky has pulled a false fire alarm to alert the authorities to a threat against his adoptive father Gus from Gus's wife and an unnamed African man. A heroin dealer named Jake is on the scene and once Coffin Ed and Grave Digger show up things escalate quickly. Even by Himes standards this is a violent and brutal book; it's also hilarious. The body count soars in step with the mercury in the thermometer. Both the detectives get badly fucked up by some French connection type heroin goons.
Lots of Himes archetypes: religious con artists, scams, black crooks shucking and jiving to dupe racist white cops, the nickel plated revolvers improving the morgue's business, etc. But all at peak performance.
If you know Himes you must read. If you don't know Himes, read the preceding five H.D. novels before savoring this one. It really might be the best one so far.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2024
Book 38 of 2024; 3 stars out of 5 stars.
The Heat is On is about two detectives Coffin Ed and Grave Digger Jones as they are first accused of excessive force as police officers. Then Grave Digger gets shot and a rumor floated that he died. The duo also had to track down a man named Pinky who was responsible for carrying heroin and increasing the death toll in Harlem.
My overall thoughts: For this book to be really short, I was supposed to be done reading this book awhile back. It is not my favorite Chester Himes book, but it was okay. I wasn’t really reeled into the story because for some reason I thought it dragged. I was a little confused on the plot of the story from time to time, but it made sense. I would maybe recommend this book to someone who wants to read the works of Chester Himes.
The Heat is On is about two detectives Coffin Ed and Grave Digger Jones as they are first accused of excessive force as police officers. Then Grave Digger gets shot and a rumor floated that he died. The duo also had to track down a man named Pinky who was responsible for carrying heroin and increasing the death toll in Harlem.
My overall thoughts: For this book to be really short, I was supposed to be done reading this book awhile back. It is not my favorite Chester Himes book, but it was okay. I wasn’t really reeled into the story because for some reason I thought it dragged. I was a little confused on the plot of the story from time to time, but it made sense. I would maybe recommend this book to someone who wants to read the works of Chester Himes.
July 24, 2019
Chester Himes is an amazing storyteller. Outside of the few times where the wordplay and descriptions felt excessive or sloppy this was a perfect novella. His writing takes you back to Harlem in the 1950s or he at least convinces you that you have. The brutality of law enforcement and the manner in which he describes African American is a bit jarring.
Gravedigger and Coffin Ed seem like the story's mediators, because the "supposed" villain is far more interesting. I felt that way with another of his stories. With this book sit back and enjoy the ride.
If you are searching for your next captivating read visit my website, http://shamont97.wix.com/literaryworks. I am an author looking for an audience.
Gravedigger and Coffin Ed seem like the story's mediators, because the "supposed" villain is far more interesting. I felt that way with another of his stories. With this book sit back and enjoy the ride.
If you are searching for your next captivating read visit my website, http://shamont97.wix.com/literaryworks. I am an author looking for an audience.
May 4, 2024
Two black detectives in 1960s Harlem deal with drugs and murder. They are smart, but their key asset is that they can actually interact with members of the black community on their own terms. This also gives the book an atmosphere of isolation suitable to a hard boiled crime novel; they need to handle this on their own. On the other hand, given the violence and the focus on drug gangs, if this didn't have such a strong black presence it would fit squarely into the '70s and '80s vigilante movie style.
This is the first Himes book I've read. The writing is well above average, and I'll be circling back to the first book in the series.
This is the first Himes book I've read. The writing is well above average, and I'll be circling back to the first book in the series.
January 8, 2025
I think I'm starting to get the hang of these Chester Himes books. The plot may not hold together or make any sense at all, but there's always something to catch your eye, whether it's the description of a debased character's face or clothes, their vulgar dialogue, the street slang, the 100% authentic vibe of the poverty row hotels, nightclubs, bars and brothels, or the so disturbing it's absurd grotesquery of the random acts of violence - The Heat's On does not have a single paragraph from beginning to end that's boring. And one scene in particular is one of the funniest things I've ever read. It involves a safe, a drill, a jar of nitroglycerin, a loaded shotgun, a stupid old man, and a nanny goat. And it does not end well for the old man or the goat.
March 17, 2019
As ever Himes' paints Harlem in lurid Technicolor glory, his patter some wild place between Raymond Chandler & Iceberg Slim.
Every chapter of The Heat's On has a paragraph or two of whipcrack kinetic prose that's so enjoyable it about justifies the fact that nothing really makes much sense, the ending is woeful and you can't help feeling this one was knocked out to pay a tax bill.
BUT- even half assed Himes is a treat, and the assorted selection of dope fiends, hustlers, squares, idiots, button men and thugs are more than enough to mask the the plot getting as lost as those two kilos of H Coffin Ed spends the book hunting.
Every chapter of The Heat's On has a paragraph or two of whipcrack kinetic prose that's so enjoyable it about justifies the fact that nothing really makes much sense, the ending is woeful and you can't help feeling this one was knocked out to pay a tax bill.
BUT- even half assed Himes is a treat, and the assorted selection of dope fiends, hustlers, squares, idiots, button men and thugs are more than enough to mask the the plot getting as lost as those two kilos of H Coffin Ed spends the book hunting.
December 22, 2021
I really enjoyed All Shot Up, but this had a slightly different flavour. It centred on the drug trade and clearly Himes has a lot of anger about this issue, as conveyed through Coffin Ed and Gravedigger. The tone here is more somber and less flamboyant and while there are over the top characters and some fairly outrageous elements, this is a grittier and more serious affair. The narrative flies by too and I can see how, it would have read at the time a provocative and quite full on novel. I will definitely be reading more of the Harlem Cycle in the future.
August 24, 2023
This was my first Chester Himes book, I bought it in a crime book focused store in Minneapolis that was underground, during a rain storm. I really, really liked it. I got confused by the tangled up plot (and probably reading a little drunk) and restarted it after halfway through. they said "mother raper" instead of mother f-er. I loved the character names, all the guns and knives and descriptions of the smells and bodies. I liked Sister Heavenly a LOT and I felt worse for the dog dying than all the people, as usual. the quietest dog in the city.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2022
Ataúd Johnson y Sepulturero Jones cruzan otra vez Harlem tras la pista de dos pintorescos delincuentes. Como suele suceder, su paradero es solo la puerta a un laberinto de rostros y giros que tienen como fin un disputado cargamento; todo bajo un calor odioso y omnipresente que en esta entrega de los peculiares detectives se vuelve un personaje más. Violencia, crueldad y desesperanza barriobajera como Himes sabía recoger en sus textos.
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