I read so many books, and most of them I choose because I know I’ll enjoy them – they’re safe bets. Because of that, I don’t often come across books that truly stand out and make me think, “that was one of the best things I’ve ever read.” However, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt is one of those rare gems that I’ll be recommending for life.

This nonfiction exposé of the underworking’s of Savannah, Georgia is the most ridiculous and fascinating Southern Gothic true crime story I’ve ever read. Berendt details all the unique situations and characters he found himself entangled with in the early 1980s as a New Yorker who moved down South and somehow landed in exactly the right place at the right time to witness the unfolding of a legendary murder – committed by a closeted antiques dealer against his young male prostitute.

Surprisingly, the murder isn’t even the craziest part of the book. There’s a whole cast of eccentric characters, all real citizens of the city. Personally, my favorite is the beloved drag queen who commands the attention of everyone in the room. Also notable are an ex-lawyer known for partying with anyone, anywhere, at any time, a supposed voodoo queen, and Uga the dog, the beloved mascot of the Georgia Bulldogs.

At absolutely no point did I have any idea where Berendt would take the reader next. There are so many legendary anecdotes about the locals he becomes acquainted with and the history of their beloved city. I’ve never even been to Georgia, but I feel like I’ve seen Savannah through his incredible scene-setting in every chapter.

The murder took place in the home of the antiques dealer – the famed Mercer House – which feels like a literary masterpiece of a setting for such an unbelievable story. The home once belonged to relatives of Johnny Mercer, the musician who wrote works like my parents’ wedding song, Moon River (sung by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s). The house is filled with antique furnishings tied to historical figures like Henry VII. It’s the perfect backdrop to a tragic murder.

However tragic the murder is, this is also one of the funniest books I’ve ever read, thanks to the wild antics of several of the characters. So much of it feels unbelievable, yet it all appears to be true (aside from a few changed names for anonymity).

On another note, I know they say never to judge a book by its cover, but the image on the front cover is so hauntingly beautiful it’s impossible not to pick it up.

I was initially drawn in by the cover photo of the statue in Bonaventure Cemetery when I found this copy at my grandma’s house and low-key stole it from her (I did give it back once I finished.) Now she’s reading it too because I haven’t stopped raving about how good it is.

I’ve heard there’s a movie adaptation from the 1990s, so I’m watching that tonight. I’m having one of my best friends over for a movie night, and I can’t wait to see how it compares to the book. If you haven’t read this one yet, it’s an absolute must-read – definitely pick this one up next!