In the Heat of the Night: A Matter of Justice

The Sparta police investigate allegations of child abuse in a religious cult run by a charismatic leader, leading to a tense, and deadly, stand-off.

When a serial killer of women is on the loose in Sparta, all the clues lead Sheriff Gillespie and Forbes to the home of the wealthy Judge Walker.

All eyes are on Sparta after an internationally renowned actress arrives unexpectedly in the rural Mississippi town—and with a killer secret.

Gillepsie's term as County Sheriff is coming to an end, and his enemies have found a local businessman, Kerry Madigan, who has high political aspiration, to run against him. They even attempt to enlist Forbes' support and the support of the local press in painting an unfavorable picture of Gillepsie. Meanwhile, the police suspect Frank Cole, one of Madigan's employees, of murdering a pregnant woman. When they request a warrant to test Cole's blood for a DNA match of the dead woman's baby, the judge, who respects Madigan and his employees, is unwilling to approve it.

When a former cop marries a wealthy widow, his ex-girlfriend sees an opportunity for blackmail. But their plan to keep her quiet and out of their lives does not exactly go as planned.