Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, John Berendt’s 1994 bestseller, is a combination of travelogue, true crime, autobiography, and Southern gothic. The nonfiction book chronicles Berendt’s experience living in Savannah, Georgia, during a sensational murder trial. Just as gripping as the drama is the author’s exploration into Savannah culture and the unusual array of people whom he meets during his eight years living there. It was an immediate success when first published, staying on the New York Times Best Sellers list for four years.

Part 1 begins with an introduction to Jim Williams. He is partly responsible for the renovation of historic downtown Savannah during the 1950s. He renovated his own home, the Mercer House, now one of the grandest homes in Savannah. As he gives Berendt a tour of his house, he takes pride in his collection of both Faberge objects as well as his World War Two collection, which the author later learns includes a Nazi flag. During the interview, Berendt also meets Danny Hansford, a profane, explosive young man who works part-time for Williams. Berendt is shocked that Hansford has unlimited access to the house. Williams explains his hypoglycemia, a medical condition that requires someone to watch over him in case he blacks out, as justification for Hansford’s access to the home. Only later does the author learn of the sexual nature of their relationship.

In addition to Williams and Hansford, Berendt meets Joe Odom, a part-time lawyer and full-time con man, who is always looking for the next scheme to make money. Often these schemes involve opening his living space for public tours and catered lunches, which the authorities try to shut down. Odom’s home is also a gathering place for various locals, and it’s there that Berendt meets Odom’s partner Mandy Nichols, as well as a well-known Savannah singer, Emma Kelly. Berendt runs into other characters regularly, such as Mr. Glover, who walks an invisible dog, Patrick; Luther Driggers, a depressed alcoholic inventor who everyone thinks is capable of poisoning the water supply and killing everyone in Savannah; Lee Adler, Williams’s rival, who was also an integral part of Savannah’s historic renaissance; and Lady Chablis, an African American drag queen, who refers to the author as “my new white chauffeur” and often provides mocking insights into race relations in Savannah. It is Lady Chablis who breaks the shocking news to Berendt that Williams has shot dead Danny Hansford in his home.

Part 2 focuses on the aftermath of the murder. Most of Savannah expects the court to acquit Williams of the murder charges since Danny Hansford was a violent man and Williams, rich and well-respected, is claiming self-defense. Also, Savannah has a long history of wealthy residents doing violent things without consequences. But when the prosecution finds Williams guilty of first-degree murder, Savannah residents are shocked. They also realize that the social highlight of the year, Williams’s annual Christmas party, will no longer occur, which for some is more upsetting than the murder. Williams remains confident that he will eventually be found innocent even though he is disappointed in his highly paid defense team. However, he appears to have more faith in the voodoo rituals performed by a spiritualist named Minerva, as well as his own belief in the power of his mind to alter events. In the end, Williams has an unprecedented four trials in Georgia: the judge overturns two convictions, one trial ends in a mistrial, and the fourth trial, which takes place in a new location, Augusta, Georgia, results in his acquittal.

Williams returns home to Mercer House. Six months after the trial, on January 14, 1990, Williams falls dead of pneumonia in the same room where he shot Danny Hansford.