Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: A Savannah Story

So glad someone recommended this book to me. It's one of the best I've read in a long time. Very fun especially if you've ever visited Savannah.

I thought John Berendt did a very good job of weaving a rich tapestry of eccentric characters and a fascinating setting, into an original true crime story. The book is based on an actual murder that set the precedent for OJ Simpson's defense, that is challenging the police and Medical Examiner's handling of the crime scene evidence.Berendt spent eight years in Savannah, researching the book that originally started out as an article and it shows! In fact, maybe it shows too much...that is, what I gather, most of his critics have a problem with - INFO DUMP. Berendt does give reams of background material, but I never found it slow going. After reading this book you could picture Savannah and Berendt spun the same kinds of word pictures of each character. You'd swear you knew them all after reading this book.Jim Williams, a wealthy antiques and collectibles dealer, was charged with the murder of his live-in assistant (and part time male prostitute) Danny Hansford and the trial set off a local firestorm.As in the OJ case there were no witnesses - Williams charged self-defense, the prosecutor charged murder and the case went to trial...FOUR TIMES!The original sticking point was the total lack of gun powder residue on Danny Hansford's hands, indicating that he never fired a gun and that Williams may have simply murdered him. Throughout the trials, Williams maintains his innocence as the prosecutor builds more and more circumstantial evidence that shows increasing animosity between Williams and Hansford, Hansford's wild demeanor and bad temper.In one trial, a single juror, a woman who'd had to defend herself against a violent ex-husband, held out for acquittal, resulting in another hung jury. The fourth trial was moved to Augusta, Georgia - "the heart of the Bible Belt," where the homosexual overtones where not expected to play very well. In Berendt's story, Jim Williams begins telling him how Danny grabbed a gun in which the firing pin had been filed down and Williams reached into his desk for his own gun and fired, fearing the younger man's rage. But Williams lawyer comes in with a blockbuster piece of evidence - neither the police at the scene, nor the hospital staff had bagged Danny Hansford's hands at the scene. In fact, they'd been bagged with plastic bags, which would allow any gun powder residue to be washed away by the condensation. Williams was off the hook!The book is a fascinating murder mystery, set in a fascinating town, with an array of exotic characters. There's Minerva, the voodoo princess, who helps Jim Williams commune with Danny dead spirit. Joe Odom is the house squatting, local entrepreneur. Lady Chablis (Frank) is a black transvestite who puts on burlesque shows at some of the local venues. There's even a man who walks the leash of a dog that died years ago, in order to keep receiving the $25/week for walking his late bosses pet.This book is certainly worth reading if only to see the way our legal process actually works. Just as in the OJ case, money appears to triumph over justice in the end. But what else is new? When or where has it been otherwise? After spending nearly two years on the hardcover bestseller list, I guess most folks have read this...if you haven't, by all means check it out. It's a very well crafted read.

She loved the book of Savannah as she is about to go there. I read it twice long ago and it’s a very good book. Recommend it highly.

Sad when I finished reading it. Didn’t want it to end.

3.5 stars out of 5 for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt.Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt has been on best-seller lists and was described as a modern classic, so I perhaps expected too much. I found the beginning of the novel to be kind of hard to get into, and the storyline was all over the place, with many different characters who didn’t seem to be part of the main murder plot. That all made more sense once I remembered that the novel was based on real people and events, but I wish the story was more focused, with dates included at the beginning of the chapters to help readers better follow the timeline.Midnight does have some very interesting characters, though, including drag queen Chablis and voodoo priestess Minerva. The descriptions of Savannah are also memorable, especially since I visited Savannah for the first time when I was about halfway through the book.The ending seemed sad and anti-climatic, but that’s not surprising in a book based on real life with few likable characters. I would describe the overall story as interesting rather than entertaining. I did enjoy the peek into the history of Savannah, but it might improve reader experience if book blurb writers would stop describing the novel as suspenseful and instead emphasize the non-fiction aspect.

If you have seen the movie, it is close to the book. Without giving away the details, it is well worth the read if you liked the movie.

This book is like 2wong fu meets to kill a mockingbird.A truly charming little tale of a man charged with murder, and its a true story!It is a little bit laborious and slow but I found it worth it in the end

Anybody who did not grow up in the south will be amused and charmed by the characters portrayed in this book. Anyone who grew up in the south will really understand the characters because they will almost assuredly know someone in their hometown that fits the same description. I was able to put different names on several of the people portrayed in this book and thus picture them with perfect clarity. No matter where one might live in the south, if you haven't been gobbled up by the so-called new south, you will feel like you have known these people for years.The story is as intriguing as the characters in it and the reader will find themselves drawn more and more into the story. I finished the last one hundred and seventy-five pages in one sitting. I was so caught up in what was going on that I couldn't put the book down and ended up going to be around 2:30 in the morning. Berendt develops the characters so well that one really begins to care about what happens to them and what they do next. This is one amazing book.When the movie came out I really didn't think I would like it and didn't see it until a few months ago. After seeing the movie I just had to read the book and I am glad I did. There are some differences in the movie and the book and while the movie is good, the book is better. In fact, I have seldom read a book that I liked as much as this one. John Berendt had a lot of good material to start with to be sure, but his wonderful style of writing makes the story entrancing. It is clear that Berendt considers many of these people his friends and that they feel the same way about him. That he cares deeply about both the people and the story comes through very clearly and is part of the reason the reader will also begin to care.In case you haven't seen the movie I am not going to give away any of the story in this review but whether you have seen the movie or not, do not miss the book. Beg, borrow or buy, I don't care how you get this book but I highly recommend that you read it.

very fast delivery, book arrived in perfect condition, excellent read

Having been in a recent visit to Savannah and visiting Mercer House, this book enthralled me with its description of this city, the streets, the characters, and the way of life. So much better than the movie.

FUN, WELL DEVELOPED CHARACTERS WHO PRESENTED THE CITY OF Savannah. REALLY ENJOYED IT. VERY REFRESHING. Worth Reading with a glass of wine by yourside.

Berendt is a superb writer. He describes Savannah, Georgia in a way that makes a visit an imperative. I went there on my next trip to the U.S. I stood in the park across the street from the Mercer Williams house, the house that is central to the story. There were about a dozen people there and as we talked it was apparent that all of us were there because we had read John Berendt's book recently.Is there a need to say anything more?

it gives experience that story happening in front of you. and you watch all as you are the one neighbour to mencers house. ....