65 pages • 2 hours read
John Dudley BallIn the Heat of the Night
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1965A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Published in 1965, John Ball’s In the Heat of the Night is a crime novel set in Wells, South Carolina, focusing on the police department’s efforts to solve a recent murder. Virgil Tibbs, a Black detective from Pasadena, California, assists in the investigation, revealing the systemic racism of Wells. The novel highlights issues of racial prejudice and provides hope for a more compassionate future. Sensitive topics include racism and violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
John Dudley Ball's In the Heat of the Night is lauded for its taut, atmospheric storytelling and sharp social commentary on race relations. Critics commend the compelling characters and the tense, gripping plot that stays relevant. However, some note that certain aspects feel dated. Overall, it remains a significant and engaging crime novel.
Who Should Read In the Heat of the Night?
Readers who enjoy gritty crime dramas with social commentary, akin to Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird or Chester Himes's A Rage in Harlem, will appreciate John Dudley Ball's In the Heat of the Night. The book delves into racial tensions and justice in a small Southern town, making it a compelling read for fans of thought-provoking mysteries.