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Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil book cover
MI
Non-Fiction Mystery & Thriller Mystery & Thriller History Classics

by John Berendt

starstarstarstar_halfstar
3.90 (168K ratings)
calendar_today 1994
description 386 pages

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt holds a well received rating of 3.90 out of 5, based on 168K reader ratings. First published in 1994. The book spans 386 pages.

About Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

A sublime and seductive reading experience. Brilliantly conceived and masterfully written, this enormously engaging portrait of a most beguiling Southern city has become a modern classic.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 reverberated throughout this hauntingly beautiful city of moss-hung oaks and shaded squares. John Berendt's sharply observed, suspenseful, and witty narrative reads like a thoroughly engrossing novel, and yet it is a work of nonfiction. Berendt skillfully interweaves a hugely entertaining first-person account of life in this isolated remnant of the Old South with the unpredictable twists and turns of a landmark murder case.It is a spellbinding story peopled by a gallery of remarkable characters: the well-bred society ladies of the Married Woman's Card Club; the turbulent young redneck gigolo; the hapless recluse who owns a bottle of poison so powerful it could kill every man, woman, and child in Savannah; the aging and profane Southern belle who is the "soul of pampered self-absorption"; the uproariously funny black drag queen; the acerbic and arrogant antiques dealer; the sweet-talking, piano-playing con artist; young blacks dancing the minuet at the black debutante ball; and Minerva, the voodoo priestess who works her magic in the graveyard at midnight. These and other Savannahians act as a Greek chorus, with Berendt revealing the alliances, hostilities, and intrigues that thrive in a town where everyone knows everyone else.

Detail Value
Author John Berendt
Published 1994
Pages 386
Kindle Price $14.99
Genres Non-Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller, History, Classics
Average Rating 3.90 / 5.00
Total Ratings 167,997

Reader Ratings & Analysis

Rating Overview

3.9
starstarstarstar_halfstar
168K ratings
With a rating of 3.90, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is rated below the global average of 4.17. Compared to its genre average of 4.02, it performs below the genre benchmark. With 168K ratings, it is among the most reviewed books in its category.

How It Compares

3.90
This Book
4.02
Mystery & Thriller Average
4.17
Global Average

Frequently Asked Questions

What genre is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is categorized as Non-Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller, History. Its primary genre classification is Mystery & Thriller.

Is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil worth reading?

Based on 168K reader ratings, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil has an average score of 3.90 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received." Its large number of reviews suggests broad reader appeal.

How many pages is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil has 386 pages.

Who wrote Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was written by John Berendt. It was first published in 1994.

What is the ISBN for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?

The ISBN-13 for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is 9780679751530.0.

How much does Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil cost on Kindle?

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is available on Kindle for $14.99. Pricing may vary by region and promotional offers.

Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026