New York is the place to set a book on fashion or finance, LA is the
best setting for stories about the movie industry, Nashville gets the nod for
stories about music, New Orleans has their vampires and Savannah is the perfect
setting for a murder mystery series.

Savannah's Historic
District, the largest in the country and you cannot walk more than two feet without passing
over a dead body because Savannah's dead aren’t just in the cemeteries.
Hundreds of victims of the
Yellow Fever epidemics of the 19th century lie in mass graves that were never
marked. In 1820 there was a huge fire that burned over four-hundred homes. Many
of the homes were rebuilt and some of the old occupants are still hanging
around trying to get out of that fire. Talk about local color.
The Old Pink House is one of
the city’s best restaurants with shrimp and grits so delish it makes a grown
man cry. But in spite of the incredible food things have not always been
wonderful. James Habersham Jr. built the house
in the 1700s and hung himself there because he was distraught over his wife’s
death. That’s terrible for sure but what is even worse is that he hasn’t left.
Servers say Habersham is a bit of a neat freak and likes to
straighten table settings and put chairs in their proper place. And he’s not
alone his whole clan still hangs around. His kids like to lock ladies in the
downstairs bathroom. Like I said, you may not believe in ghosts but I bet if
you got locked in the bathroom you’d be a believer.
Then there’s the 17hundred90 Inn the
oldest inn in Savannah. In the 1700s Anna Powers fell in love with an English
sailor while staying at the inn. They married but something went wrong and Anna
jumped to her death from room 204. Couples staying in that room write down
their experiences…and I’m not talking amorous experiences…in a notebook on the
bedside table. If you manage to make it through the night you celebrate with a peach martini. Personally I’d be on Prozac.
Then there’s the
Kehoe House that is now a B&B.
In the 1800s twins died while playing in one of the house's
massive chimneys and guests who stay in rooms 201 and 203 still hear the kids
playing.
I’ve stayed at the Marshall House. It was used as a
Union Hospital during the unfortunate Northern Aggression. When they were
rehabbing the place bones were found in the basement where they did the
amputations.
No one really knows for sure what’s going on in Savannah but
something is afoot. I love the city and it’s the perfect backdrop for tooling around in a ’57 red Chevy
convertible, walking Bruce Willis in the parks, eating sandwiches at Parkers or
Zunzies and having drinks at Abe’s on Lincoln.
So you see, this is why Savannah is a great city for murder mysteries. It’s has tons of history and a lot of dead people.
**As a continuation of Cozy Chicks Love Pets that we had on Saturday…


So glad you all have fun at the Pet Bash. I sure loved chatting with you all.
Hugs, Duffy
83 comments:
I would love to visit Savannah to walk around all the squares and see all the wonderful houses that surround them.
I fell in love with Savannah after reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - I'd love to visit all of the locations in the book!
I thought Savannah was just pretty ordinary until I read your books. It sounds fascinating.
Savannah sounds like a great place. I would like to visit the different attractions and go on the ghost tours! Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
It’s lovely…the Old South. The the food is amazing.
Duffy
Love that book! And it is Savannah.
Oh, Grandma Cootie, you made my day. I think of Savannah as character in my books. Hope you get to visit. Such fun. Hugs, Duffy
Hi, Jenn. The haunted tours are fun. You find out a lot about the city and Savannah at night is so romantic.
We are going to Savannah this year, and we are staying at the Kehoe house!!! I cannot wait! If you know of more great restaurants, let me know. :-)
Savannah is an amazing place. I had the opportunity to visit there when my daughter's husband was stationed in the area at Fort Stewart. We visited the area near the River Walk. I enjoyed watching my step cross the old cobblestones and listening to the thumbing of cars as they cross them. I could almost image the old town in it glory carrying ladies and gentlemen on their horse and carriages as they completed their business at Factors Walk. I can't wait until my next visit. I would love to spend more time there! :D
Love reading about Savannah....have never been, but from your books, and the pictures on this blog, I know I would love it. (Note to self: tell husband I need a Southern vacation) :)
I grew up in the south. I spent summers with my grandma in Charleston. I've never been to Savannah. I would love to see more old world charm.
I've been planning a trip to Savannah with a girlfriend for years.....I just need to do it! I even have a book on walking tours. Reading your stories really makes me want to solve a mystery while I'm there----oh, and try all the food! :-)
we are planning a trip to Savannah. Every January there is an annual fruit conference my farmer husband would like to attend. I say, tour Savannah with me, I'll go to the conference with you.
Hi, Dawn!! I now have Savannah envy. So wish I was going with you. If you have a car drive out to Tybee Island. On the way is the Crab Shack. Best Southern Boil on the planet. You’ll have a blast. The Pirate House is fun, and be sure to go to Jen’s and Friends for a martini. Have fun!
I would love to visit Savannah and learn all about the history there. I would love to go on the ghost tours. Thanks for a great article, I loved reading it. weluvdopey@sc.rr.com
Hi Carol Bee. I agree…I can almost feel the past right under my feet. I can wait to get back. Always a fun trip.
Oh Teresa, you would love a visit there. A prefer get-away destination. Hope you and your husband make it. You’ll love the foodl.
Hi, Joann. Charleston is amazing. Lucky you to have a grandma there. Did she pass on any recipes to you?
I was in Savannah for a day once a few years ago. I wish I had been there longer or could go again. We went to River Walk and loved the pretty squares. We did take a tour and heard a lot of interesting facts. Since I don't drive that far any more and hate flying, I guess I won't get there again but sure would love to.
BTW. I love your Consignment Shop Mysteries. I do wish Reagan would get some shoes or sandals and leave the flip flops for the beach. She is going to get hurt with them on/off.
Hi, Nicole. Savannah is the perfect girls weekend get away. You would have such a good time. Hope you don’t run into any mysteries while there but take a tour or two. Hugs, Duffy
January is a little nippy in Savannah but if you an make it in April you won’t want to leave. Spring in Savannah is amazing…flowers in bloom everywhere.
Hi Laura. So glad you had fun visiting Savannah. History everywhere. The ghost tours are fantastic and you get a lot of the history of the city.
Hi, Diane. Yes, I need to get Reagan in better shoes. LOL A lot of senior bus tours go to Savannah. Maybe get on one of those. I love vacations where I just sit back and enjoy! Thanks so much for reading the series, I really appreciate it. Hugs, Duffy
I just love hearing about the history in Savannah, here and in the books. Your books make me feel like I am there and I appreciate the sensory experience while reading them. Who wouldn't want to walk around the historic district and explore?
I attended a conference in Alexandra, VA. That city also was rich with history. Every street and building seemed to have an interesting story.
I can't say enough how much I am enjoying the Consignment Shop Mysteries.
I love visiting Savannah! The beautiful parks, the glorious homes, and the fabulous food! We have never stayed in a haunted place but that may be an option in our next visit. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post, Duffy!
mauback55 at gmail dot com
Savannah is a lovely city, and I really enjoyed walking around all the squares and historic areas. The heroine in my historical ABILENE GAMBLER was from Savannah, so I got to use a lot of the city's background in the story. That's the fun thing about writing novels, right? :)
We went to Savannah last fall and, though we crammed a lot of sight seeing into a few days, I would love to go back and experience it all again. Fantastic food, wonderful atmosphere, colorful history.
dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com
I'd love to visit Savannah and go through the parks and stay at one of the B&B's. I say now I'd love to hear or see a ghost, but if it came down to it, I'd probably be as scared as the next person, needless to say, I'd still like the opportunity to experience it.annelovell12@yahoo.com
I have wanted to visit Savannah ever since I read the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. They have a tour that goes along with that book. I think it would be so cool to go on. And I would love to be able to visit Tibee Island while there as well. I love lighthouses. And that one is especially cool looking.
I wonder if they have ghost tours there in Savannah that you can take? I be that would be so scary fun!
angiey1974@hotmail.com
I'd love to visit because I love the South and all its charm.
lkleback@hotmail.com
I'd love to visit Savannah because I loved the images evoked by many novels, all mysteries, Duffy. I'd like to draw the real places and use my imagination to see what is there just beyond the surface. A sketchbook journal would be fun and also offer the opportunity to write about my impressions. The book could serve as a base for paintings as well as renew memories later at home.
I love new experiences! Seeing ghosts would be great!
I'd like to go to Savannah to see the antebellum homes, these restaurants you mentioned and to see the beauty of the city itself.
lk1835@yahoo.com
I love Savannah! I was so excited when I found your mysteries with their settings there. Our oldest daughter got married in one of the beautiful old churches in Savannah. We stayed at the Marshall House. There is definitely something going on at that hotel. It was in December and the whole city was decorated for Christmas. Beautiful! Beautiful city at anytime of year. The Pirate House is a little creepy too. Especially the tunnel. And the food in Savannah is divine! I could go on and on about Savannah, definitely one of my favorite cities to visit.
To me Savannah is the perfect southern city. It is what the south stands for. I just want to walk the streets and see the beautiful homes. Although I have never been, it is on the top of my list to visit!
I have never been but would love to go, especially after reading you books. It seems to have such an air of history plus mystery. I've heard so many people say how beautiful it is, and I love watching shows about haunted houses and Savannah is usually in there somewhere.
momzillasteel@gmail.com
Besides it being Savannah - reason enough to visit, I would LOVE to visit all the places I've read about - in your books AND in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil!!
Older cities offer lots of inspiration for quilt designs in the architecture, grave stones, sidewalks, statues, signs, etc.
Me too. I’m a closet belle.
Hugs, Duffy
Oh Zena a sketchbook tour would be amazing…so much to draw. You’d love it and it would make a wonderful book! Do it!!!
Don’t know if you’d see any but there are a million stories.
Oh, Laurie, you’d love it. The place is all history. Since Sherman didn’t burn it to the ground like Atlanta so much charm is still there.
Hi, Kathy. Hope you make it there…Savannah does not disappoint.
Kellijo23@gmail.com (to go with above comment)
Savannah usually pops up when talking the South and ghosts. So many of the old homes are still around and restored to perfection. My daughter went to school there and has some amazing stories.
Hi, Kelli Jo. I love Midnight in the Garden. What a fab book. Hope you get to Savannah.
They have terrific architecture tours in Savannah. You walk the city and they tell you all about it. A really fun tour.
Thanks Kelly Jo!
I would love to visit Savannah not only for walking around and seeing the sights (and ghosts), but for the food as well.
kim
kjohnson952@yahoo.com
I would love to visit Savannah, for the history, the historic homes and the food (along with a few ghost stories)!
patucker54 (at aol dot com)
I'd only like to visit if you could give me a tour. Then we finally would get to meet.
I do not believe in ghosts - but I have lived in a haunted house - and stayed in another. The home I lived in - that spirit was sweet and funny - the place I stayed - that spirit was so angry and mean - when you walked into a part of the home - it became cold enough to wear a coat and that was in July. But, I don't believe in ghosts.
I would love to visit Savannah - and Duffy - you would have to be my guide.
My husband was on a business trip in Savannah many years ago and he brought home a Southern recipes cookbook to me. The recipes and the photos of the city were marvelous and since them I have been determined to someday get to experience not only the history of the city, but some beautiful places about which I have read. Things have not worked out for traveling for awhile now, but I do my "armchair" traveling for to appease myself and still do dream of actually getting to see the beautiful sights, sounds and aromas and flavors of Savannah. I remember that wisteria was prevalent around the homes and that would be something that I would love, the old Southern homes, with the lovely gardens and warm breezes while sitting on the porch of a truly gorgeous B and B and sipping cold lemonade or sweet iced tea. Sounds perfect to me right now. Just perfect. Ahhhh. Thank you, Cynthia B
ceblain(AT)tmlponline(DOT)net
I would love to visit Savannah one day Duffy, and eat those delicious and extremely bad for you foods you describe so well. And perhaps meet Bruce Willis and give him some more hotdogs ;)
anything that has history in it - I'm in :) love to imagine how people lived there, in those houses/towns/cities, how different their lives was from ours, but also how similar... the houses have such charm and beauty! and I love it that they are saved for next generations to see... what a feast for imagination!!!
,,,and on top of that - I just simply LOVE travelling ;)
Oh Kim I am so with you on this…the food is amazing. They can cook for me anytime.
Hi, Patricia. The waiters, maids bus drivers…everyone has amazing ghost stories. Just ask them. Love their stories.
Oh Annette!! That is creepy. You are a brave soul. I’d loooove to meet up with you in Savannah! Wouldn’t that be a blast!
I do a lot of travel via books too. Just pour a martini…or cup of tea…pick up a book and I’m there with the characters having fun. We cannot get to all the places we’d like to visit but thank heavens for book to do the travel for us. Hugs, Duffy
Oh. Aurian, I swear I think Brice Willis is real. When I write the books it’s like he’s sitting right beside me having fun. Wait till you see him in Demise in Denim…he’s fantastic.
Hi, Emilia. Savannah School of Art and Design bought up 51 of the derelict houses in Savannah some thirty years ago and rehabbed them to perfection. Now they house the art classes for the students. My daughter attended and had art classed in totally gorgeous houses. What a treat.
I had such fun at the pet party! As for Savannah I'd love to visit as I love ghostly historic places. Although I'd have to go in the winter-I'm not a fan of hot temperatures!
My husband and I were down for St. Paddy's day a few years ago. Fell in love with the place and one week was just not enough time to explore the place. Would love to have another chance to get down there for sure!!
I'd love to see the historic houses in Savannah.
August is no time to visit but April is wonderful! Nothing better than spring in Savannah. So glad you had fun at the party! Thanks for playing along. Hugs, Duffy
Holy cats, Doreen. If you love the place on St. Paddy’s day you must go back. Those crowds are huge! But there is a lot going on. Tybee Island is so close and fun things to do there too. Thanks for chatting. Hugs, Duffy
Oh, Suzanne, you’d love them. They are so beautiful.
Hugs, Duffy
Love historic houses, ghosts & haunted places! I lived in a historic home in Galveston. It survived the 1900 hurricane!
What a lovely home you have. If only it could talk…what a story.
I love old homes too.
Winners are…
Zena Weldon wins the mouse pad
Katreader wins a mouse pad
Debbie S wins a notebook
Danielle K wins a notebook
Cynthia B wins a doggie tote
Laura Collins wins a BW doggie bone and Dead Man pen
Linda Rima wins a BW doggie bone and Dead Man pen
Joann Hunter wins a doggie bone and Dead Man pen
Diane Leverson wins the cat watch
Please Please Please send me your mailing address DuffyBrown@DuffyBrown.com with contest in the subj line. Thank You All for playing along.
that's for sure! although could be a bit art-overload for the classes (you know - like, too much beauty, what to paint first??? :D
Congrats to all the winners!
I love Savannah and look forward to reading this book. It is such a pretty city.
Thank you so much. Address on its way.
I would love to eat at the Pink House sometime.
Email sent! Thank you so much! See ya in Savannah! Someday.
I moved off the island the fall before Hurricane Ike hit in September 2008. The good news the historic house survived another major hurricane 106 years later!
I feel such a draw to the Old South. Savannah is on my Bucket List to visit; to tour the grand houses and plantations; to sit on a wide covered porch in a rocking chair, sipping sweet tea with mint. So many things I'd love to do!
Thanks, Linda, for picking up Demise in Denim and I love Savannah too esp in the spring. Lovely.
Hugs, Duffy
Oh I’d be right there with you eating shrimp and grits. What fun!
Hi, Mary Alice. If you love the Old South you must get to Savannah. It survived the Civil War so the old houses are still there and now restored to their glory days. What a lovely city indeed.
Hugs, Duffy
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