MIDNIGHT in the GARDEN of GOOD and EVIL by John Berendt

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt, published in 1994 by Random House, is a nonfiction, true crime novel set in the Deep South.

Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia. It has a charming Southern ambiance and a vibrant history. It has many cultural attractions, historical landmarks, and works of art in various architectural styles. In addition, it has a large St. Patrick's Day parade, a famous river port, a renowned art college, and a beach nearby. Savannah is also a quirky city where you might find a man walking an invisible dog and a drag queen becoming a key witness for the defense in a high-profile murder trial. So it's no surprise that The Hostess City of the South is as much a character in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil as any human being involved in the novel. 

The book chronicles John Berendt's experiences while living in Savannah and the real-life events surrounding the 1981 murder of 21-year-old Danny Hansford, a profane young man with an explosive temper, and the trial that followed.

Jim Williams was a historic preservationist and antiques dealer, partially responsible for renovating historic downtown Savannah in the 1950s. He also renovated his home, Mercer House, once owned by the late composer Johnny Mercer, making it one of the grandest homes in Savannah. After finishing the restoration, Williams threw a glamorous Christmas party that soon became one of Savannah's most sought-after annual events. At the time of the story, John Berendt, who wrote a monthly column for Esquire Magazine, was there to write an article about Williams' Christmas party. 

While interviewing Williams for his article, Berendt meets part-time employee Danny Hansford during his tour of Mercer House. He is shocked that Hansford has such unlimited access to the home. Williams explains that he has a medical condition, which requires always having someone nearby in case he should blackout as his justification for Hansford's access to the house. So, as a trusted employee, why did Jim Williams kill Danny Hansford? Was it blackmail, self-defense, or a well-planned murder? The answer is in the pages of the book.

John Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a true-life story that reads like a combination travelogue and murder mystery with a bit of history thrown in for good measure. The book is replete with eccentric, slightly off-center, and downright odd fellow characters. Berendt's novel became a New York Times Best Seller after its publication in 1994 and stayed there for four years. If you have yet to read it, it's worth reading, and if you have read it... it's worth reading again.

My Personal Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐