Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt (1994)

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt (1994)

“The tourists would leave Savannah in a few hours, enchanted by the elegance of this romantic garden city but none the wiser about the secrets that lay within the innermost glades of its secluded bower.”

Laura’s Rating: 4/5 Stars

Plot: Berendt visits Savannah in the 1980s, meeting the colorful characters of the Southern city, from high society card club ladies to a drag queen to an antiques dealer and a voodoo priestess. Eventually, a shooting inside one of the city’s mansions causes an uproar and a series of criminal trials that rock Savannah society.

Analysis: The setting is the star of this book and it’s an enchanting read, with interesting facts and history about Savannah woven into the book. The book is non-fiction, although it’s just as entertaining as any novel. The characters are interesting and eccentric, although sometimes they seem too interesting and witty, which came off as a little far-fetched. Despite this, the characters saying things they would never or should never say felt fun and scandalous. Some of the dialogue and events could be offensive or a bit off-color to certain people, but that adds some needed authenticity in my opinion. 

The true crime aspect and the following trials are interesting, but it’s the city itself and its diverse citizens that really shine throughout the book. Overall, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a unique and memorable read that makes me want to return to Savannah.