I recently read the true crime book, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" by John Brendt. On some level, I hesitate to call this a true crime book because it is largely about other happenings in Savannah, Georgia. But a core storyline of the book follows the multiple murder trials of an antiques dealer, Jim Williams, who shot and killed his young lover, Danny Hansford.
Jim Williams made a life and a fortune for himself buying and restoring historic houses in downtown Savannah. Danny Hansford was a troubled young man who was sexually appealing to both men and women.
Danny occasionally worked for Jim and had the run of his restored mansion filled with antiques. Jim provided Danny with money, a car, and other material things. Danny did not seem to have a problem with his position as Jim's semi-secret lover as long Jim kept Danny financed.
One early morning, in Jim's study, Jim shot Danny three times, killing him. Jim reported the shooting to police. He explained that Danny had shot at him first, and he fired back in self defense.
Jim Williams was charged with murder. His four trials centered around the question of whether Jim had killed Danny in cold blood or whether he acted in self defense.
The book is not very detailed or technical in its coverage of the trials, but you finish the book feeling like you understand why the outcome of each trial and appeal was what it was. There is also enough information given to allow the reader to come to their own conclusions about what really happened the night of the shooting. But there are still questions left hanging.
The non-true-crime parts of the book are equally interesting. The author, John Berendt, tells the story of his part-time life in Savannah. He encounters and befriends a variety of eccentric characters, including a piano-playing lawyer with a revolving door of friends and scams, a trash-talking drag queen, and a voodoo witch doctor.
The book was made into a movie, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," directed by Clint Eastwood, and starring John Cusack, Kevin Spacey, and Jude Law.
For an epilogue focusing on Jim Williams, and his non-fatal illegal dealings, check out "After Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." Although not nearly as well-written as the original (and filled with typos), "After Midnight" is a short, quick read that fills in a few gaps and presents a different perspective.
(Click the pictures to check out the books and movie.)
Danny occasionally worked for Jim and had the run of his restored mansion filled with antiques. Jim provided Danny with money, a car, and other material things. Danny did not seem to have a problem with his position as Jim's semi-secret lover as long Jim kept Danny financed.
One early morning, in Jim's study, Jim shot Danny three times, killing him. Jim reported the shooting to police. He explained that Danny had shot at him first, and he fired back in self defense.
Jim Williams was charged with murder. His four trials centered around the question of whether Jim had killed Danny in cold blood or whether he acted in self defense.
The book is not very detailed or technical in its coverage of the trials, but you finish the book feeling like you understand why the outcome of each trial and appeal was what it was. There is also enough information given to allow the reader to come to their own conclusions about what really happened the night of the shooting. But there are still questions left hanging.
The non-true-crime parts of the book are equally interesting. The author, John Berendt, tells the story of his part-time life in Savannah. He encounters and befriends a variety of eccentric characters, including a piano-playing lawyer with a revolving door of friends and scams, a trash-talking drag queen, and a voodoo witch doctor.
The book was made into a movie, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," directed by Clint Eastwood, and starring John Cusack, Kevin Spacey, and Jude Law.
For an epilogue focusing on Jim Williams, and his non-fatal illegal dealings, check out "After Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." Although not nearly as well-written as the original (and filled with typos), "After Midnight" is a short, quick read that fills in a few gaps and presents a different perspective.
(Click the pictures to check out the books and movie.)
Let me know what you thought about "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." And sign up for a free eBook on the Top 7 Mistakes Made by Writers of Crime, Mystery, and Legal Drama.
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