The book is atmospheric in tone, depicting eccentric Savannah personalities, with the plot propelled by the investigation of the shooting of hustler Danny Hansford (characterized as "a good time not yet had by all") by his gay lover, respected art dealer Jim Williams, which culminated in four murder trials

The title alludes to midnight, the time between the time for good magic and the time for evil magic, in "the garden of good and evil'': that is, the Bonaventure Cemetery.