No matter the rating - it’s worth the read. If you remind yourself this is nonfiction, you’ll enjoy the telling of the events. People who forget it’s NOT fiction will likely rate it lower for not being more like other works of fiction.

I fully became engulfed in this story and the author did a great job in detailing the events. This was an effortless read and I was easily transported via the rich descriptors he provided.

If you love true crime and based on true events, you’ll want to read this!!

And as “the Angels Sing’ justice is finally served !!!The setting is Savannah, a hauntingly beautiful city, and one of the oldest in the state of Georgia, so how perfect for a gripping crime novel told under a veil of Spanish moss and in shaded squares. Only ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ is a retelling of a true crime story whilst still possessing all the ingredients and witty dialogue of a fictional story. The characters are deeply drawn and somewhat eccentric, the setting is idylli...

3.5 rounded up - I’ve been wanting to read this book for ages as I’ve been beguiled by the book cover ever since it was published in 1994. A selection chosen for October by the ‘On the Southern Literary Trail,’ I finally buckled down to see what the hullabaloo was all about as this novel was on the New York Times bestseller list for 216 weeks. It includes a murder mystery but at its heart seems as much about Savannah and a colorful cast of characters as it does about a murder. It was evident fro...

This is a book about the shooting of a young man in a rich guy’s fancy house, but the real crime is how boring this story is!!! Ayo!I do not know what happened here.I mean, this book has EVERYTHING:- old rich people- gossip about the aforementioned old rich people- the history of the city of Savannah (famously interesting place, not even being sarcastic, and yes it is concerning to me that my earnest thoughts read as irony)- drag queens- alcoholism - historical restorations- feuds- murder- voodo...

One of the best 'true crime' book I have ever read. Every inch of the story is fascinating. It reads like a novel. I actually had to keep reminding myself that it was, in fact, a true crime book. From the very first chapter I felt drawn in. I immediately wanted to go to Savannah and see it for myself. So often in true crime books the characters are a little flat. Berendt was really able to make them come to life. His writing made the whole city come to life. His ability to infiltrate the seemly...

”Now, you know how dead time works. Dead time lasts for one hour—from half an hour before midnight to half an hour after midnight. The half hour before midnight is for doin’ good. The half hour after midnight is for doin’ evil.”“Right,” said Williams.“Seems like we need a little of both tonight,” said Minerva, “so we best be on our way.”…For me, Savannah’s resistance to change was its saving grace. The city looked inward, sealed off from the noises and distractions of the world at large. It grew...

this book has a lot of fans. that makes some sense. magazines are certainly very popular, and this is magazine writing at its most polished. Berendt knows how to create an atmosphere. he knows how to describe things in a style that is careful, subtle, and enfused with a deadpan but rather mischievious irony. he can certainly describe the way a rich man's house looks - so well that you could then describe it to someone else as if you've been there. characters are sketched with an expert's hand - ...

BkC7)Delicious, shimmering prose. Wonderful story. Savannah really should give Mr. Berendt a pension.Well now, I have to dim my searchlight to a streetlight. Still think it's good but now, well, now I can't see past the one-hit-wonderness to the glories I once took for granted.Rating: 3.75* of fiveThe Publisher Says: Shots rang out in Savannah's grandest mansion in the misty,early morning hours of May 2, 1981. Was it murder or self-defense? For nearly a decade, the shooting and its aftermath rev...

Extraordinary story and characters, slow read, some parts for me were a bit hard to get through, that's why four stars and not five. A classic though. Loved it. Now I want to go to Savannah too....

Another early review of mine coming up... how times flies.
Oh my, I loved this book!

Note, February 2014: I was just rereading this review, and FUNNY STORY, I moved to a small town. Not so much a big city person as I had originally thought...Original review, circa 2007: I love this book to the point where I don't even really know what to say about it, because nothing I can say about it will be good enough to explain just how incredible this book really is.After reading this book, I had to restrain myself from booking a flight to Savannah. It makes you want to be there, it makes ...