The family was seemingly perfect. A loving husban… More. God Told Me To Kill. Murder on the New Moon by Johnny Sharp. Shelve Murder on the New Moon. Kiss the Girls Goodnight by Mark Gado. Shelve Kiss the Girls Goodnight. Nightcrawler by Mark Gado. Murder by Mistake by M. A page True Crime Short with 21 photographs … More. Shelve Murder by Mistake.
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After Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
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Shelve Death by Rock and Roll. It all comes across as an extended newspaper article, no more.
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It's a shame that book titles can't be copyrighted. How do jurors stay awake? I think I even watched some of the movie rare for me. Savannah is an eerily beautiful town and the perfect setting for this dark, complicated story.
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I think the author did a good job of presenting information which adds to the reader's knowledge, although there is inevitably some overlap with the Berendt book. Some of her claims cannot be proved or disproved at this distance. Jim Williams may h How do jurors stay awake? Jim Williams may have pimped for closeted gay men in return for financial or social favors. In the days when known homosexuals were virtually lepers, such arrangements were common. The author's argument that William's good looks, his apparent masculinity, and his appeal to women were key to his success is perceptive and rings true to this old Southerner.
A flamboyant or effeminate man might have been tolerated, but not accepted socially or in business. I think she makes an excellent argument that the charge of premeditated murder was absurd. If Williams had wanted to get rid of his young lover, he was certainly smart enough to do so without ruining his own life in the process. It could have been a deliberate killing in a moment of passion, but that doesn't jive with William's cool, calculating personality.
The most likely explanation is that the older man was infatuated with the youngster, enjoyed the drama he provided, and over-estimated his ability to control him. Neither the Savannah Police Department nor the District Attorney covered themselves with glory and the whole ugly mess should have been settled in one trial. William's inability to believe that he was in a fight for his life and his insistence on bringing in an outsider for his defense played into the hands of the prosecution. I think most people would agree that the last three trials were a waste of time and money.
It's one hell of a story and this author although not an outstanding writer tells it clearly. I skipped over some of the lengthy closing argument. If I had been on the jury, I probably would have dozed off. Just as well I wasn't. Nov 08, Bonnie Irwin rated it liked it. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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This is a rather short Kindle book that should properly be titled Before Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil because the most interesting bits are those about Jim Williams before the murder of his companion. The story of how Williams ingratiated himself into Savannah society and cheated some of his customers out their valuable antiques colors the rest of the narrative of his shooting of Danny and the 4 trials that followed. Apr 03, Elisa rated it liked it Shelves: This is basically a short book dealing with the major events in Jim Williams's life, a man who was such a fascinating character that he seems to be fictitious.
Life really is stranger than fiction. Feb 01, Chris rated it it was ok Shelves: Somewhat interesting look at the crime dealt with in the moive. However, the style isn't really my type, and some things get a little glossed over - like the relationships with young boys. Sep 03, Jim Dooley rated it really liked it. In the mid's, John Berendt wrote a sensational narrative that perfectly captured the cultural feel of Savannah. It was, in every sense, a "literary event. Instead, this is the Jim William In the mid's, John Berendt wrote a sensational narrative that perfectly captured the cultural feel of Savannah.
Instead, this is the Jim Williams story written as a true crime investigation. It is not as involving as Berendt's version, but it is definitely involving.
Lost are many of the memorable characters who populated the Savannah environs because they did not contribute directly to the investigation of the death of Danny Hansford. Here, the writer does not seek to add "atmosphere," but concentrates on a careful retelling of the facts and the ultimate outcome. The close analysis of the investigation that spawned four criminal trials for one defendant is very revealing.
Armchair detectives have the chance to sift through the evidence and decide who will be believed. Photographs are included that often do little more than show the outside of buildings and portrait shots. Yet, there is the occasional gem, such as one of a cat that will have significant reprucussions. I particularly appreciated having the defending counsel's closing argument from the final trial provided in a complete version.
It offered a fascinating perspective to what had been read. However, for those whose memories are of the Jim Williams lifestyle and trials, this book provides impressive detail and a refreshing viewpoint. And I guess I kind of did like parts of it. The problem was that this book just dragged. Although she didn't put in the transcripts from each of the four trials, it dragged as if she did. Actually I might have enjoyed it more if there had been transcripts. But it just drags out each detail in each of the trials. The first half of the book was much mo Finally.
The first half of the book was much more interesting. More about the real story I don't know if it is actually the"real" story of Savannah and events leading up to Mr. Hansford's death and the Jim Williams story. Not quite the same as I recall in Berendt's book. Jun 10, Pam rated it it was ok. This book was originally released as an ebook I think.
There are numerous spelling and grammatical errors that evidently were not caught when they decided to release it in a soft cover copy. It is basically a retelling of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" but focuses mostly on the crime and trial and what the outcome was with speculation as to whether Jim was guilty or not. Having read the original "Midnight" twice, watched the TV documentary and saw the movie twice plus going to Savanna This book was originally released as an ebook I think. Having read the original "Midnight" twice, watched the TV documentary and saw the movie twice plus going to Savannah and going on the tour, I lost interest in this book about halfway through.
Nothing especially wrong with it; I've just read and heard enough. Meh Interesting story, but much of the information about the trials in this book is identically covered in Midnight. The entire book from title to cover art to contents creates an uncomfortable feeling of yet another person trying to cash in on this sad story, and even worse, on the heels of someone else's work.
Would not rec Meh Interesting story, but much of the information about the trials in this book is identically covered in Midnight. Feb 25, Barry Cobb rated it did not like it. Much ado about nothing. The first part of the book added a few minute details about Jim Williams and his standing in Savannah's society scene, but nothing overly impressive. The most interesting tidbits were prefaced by the author with "While I can't verify this", which made for a frustrating read.
Having exhausted the main resources on this piece of Savannah history, I feel like this is the least essential reading of the lot.
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May 06, Carolyn rated it it was ok Shelves: Sounded intriguing - but wasn't. The story of Jim Williams and Savannah is much better told in Berendt's masterful book, and this account adds only quotations from some of the legal documents involved in the trials and a few unsurprising comments from some of the people the author interviewed. Poorly written as well, with lots of grammar and usage errors. Jun 19, Susan rated it liked it. If you have read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, this is a good book that gives more information of the events leading up to the murder and more details of the 4 trials that occurred over the years.
May 05, Mary rated it really liked it. This was a quick read.
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I rewatched the movie before reading this book; so I found it very interesting to know more of the behind the scenes facts surrounding this case. Oct 27, Teresa Parker rated it really liked it. Very interesting and brought to light more of the attitudes of the days around this crime. While having been quite a while since reading the original I enjoyed this recapture. Feb 19, Nancy rated it it was ok. Makes me want to see the film again.
Dec 23, Jerry Hardesty rated it really liked it. If you read "Midnigiht in the Garden of Good and Evil," this book is a must read. Follows Jim Williams after the original book. May 05, Becky rated it did not like it. Boring and poorly written. Part of it entails the story of Jim Williams and his once of power and success. It also discusses The urban renewal of the city and the fight to retain certain structures and how the city would serve its people with consideration of the upper and lower classes. Oct 12, Diane rated it it was ok.
I read this book several years ago. I did not enjoy it as much this time. I needed to be reading a more uplifting book, so my evaluation is not fair to the book. I bought the book and was determined to finish it. Nov 01, Ardnas rated it it was amazing. Great companion to the original book and movie.
Gives the details without getting into the "plot" of the original.