Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

by John Berendt
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil cover
Good Books rating 3.27
True Crime
Technical:
  • ID: 866
  • Added: 2025-09-21
  • Updated: 2025-09-21
  • Formats: 23
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a captivating exploration of Savannah, Georgia, through the eyes of journalist John Berendt. The book weaves together a rich tapestry of eccentric characters, local lore, and a chilling murder case that grips the city. /n/nBerendt's vivid storytelling brings to life the city's opulent mansions, lush gardens, and the stark contrast between its genteel surface and the sinister undercurrents beneath. This non-fiction narrative is as much a cultural study as it is a true crime account, offering a unique glimpse into the heart of the American South.

Reviews
Reddit - r/books · 2025-09-21
disappointing 1.50

The book was lackluster and failed to engage the reader. The characters and setting did not hold the reader's interest.

The reviewer found the book to be lackluster and struggled to stay engaged with the story. They felt that the characters were not particularly interesting, and the setting did not capture their imagination. Overall, they were disappointed with the reading experience.

Quick quotes

    It was lackluster and didn't really entice me to continue reading.

    I wasn't particularly invested in the characters or even the setting.

    Each chapter felt like a chore to get through.

Devon Trevarrow-Flaherty's Blog · Devon Trevarrow-Flaherty · 2022-08-29
engaging 3.80

The book was engaging and exceeded expectations with its compelling narrative. However, it lost some momentum towards the end.

Devon started reading this book with high expectations and was pleasantly surprised by how engaging it was. They found the narrative compelling and the characters intriguing, making it hard to put down. However, they felt that the book lost some of its momentum towards the end, which slightly dampened their overall enjoyment.

Quick quotes

    When I first started reading this book, I was somewhat enamored.

    I just didn't expect it to be so engaging.

    It lost some of its momentum towards the end.

Book Thoughts from Bed · 2020-01-15
vivid 4.50

The writing was vivid and non-judgmental, beautifully capturing the essence of Savannah. The descriptions of the city's architecture and history were particularly striking.

The reviewer was captivated by John Berendt's vivid and non-judgmental writing style. They particularly enjoyed the detailed descriptions of Savannah's architecture and history, which brought the city to life. The reviewer found the characters and their stories to be compelling, making for a rich and immersive reading experience.

Quick quotes

    Never judgmental, John Berendt's writing was pitch perfect.

    The descriptions of Savannah's architecture, history, and character were so vivid.

    The characters and their stories were compelling.

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