John Berendt's story of intrigue and murder in the South, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, is an excellent work for three reasons. First, it gives the reader the almost tangible experience of what the "Old South" is like as it remains today, in the pocket about which he writes. Second, it is an engrossing true-crime drama full of suspense and peopled by characters who are unique and lively. Third, the author is both a fine writer and a masterful storyteller. The unique success of the book, then, is the author's ability to weave together a true-crime story and a lyrical and witty travelogue focusing on the special nature of the Old South.
Like many works, especially those with a special style or perspective, what is most appealing about the book to one reader might be singularly unappealing to another reader. In that sense, the greatest strengths of this book for one reader will prove to be the greatest weaknesses for another reader.
Whether the reader will enjoy the book entirely, in part, or not at all will in large part depend on what the reader will bring to the box in terms of expectations. Berendt is capable of lyrically describing the intimate details of a scene, and giving the reader the sense of what it would be like to be in that scene, but if the reader likes his or her crime stories undiluted by descriptive detours, that reader will find the going frustrating.
For this reader, who generally does not care that much for true-crime stories, but does appreciate a more leisurely examination of life, especially exotic people and places, the book was a particularly pleasant read.
On the other hand, for those who like their travelogues undiluted by true-crime cases, the book will be more than distracting.
Berendt is able to give the reader a compelling bird's-eye view of the murder case because he himself is on the scene investigating the crime (though he investigates many winding paths which seem to b...