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A Call from Hell: The True Story of Larry Gene Bell a Small-Town Monster and the Crime that Shook the Nation
Peek into a family's descent into despair at the hands of a small-town monster.
Experience a family’s fear and your outrage rising with each phone call and every detail of this story.
Murder, kidnapping—in this community, it was the kind of stuff that only happened in movies. No one could have thought it would happen to one of their own.
Dive into the story of Larry Gene Bell, one of the first killers who used phones to terrorize people.
Uncover the origins of this local monster as we peel back the layers of his past. Discover the complexities of his twisted personality that led to national attention.
Step by step, follow the details of Bell's heinous, cunning acts, from victim selection to killing methods. You will see why it took innovative investigative techniques to get Bell behind bars.
Join us as we go beyond the headlines and see why this case continues to echo in the modern world of true crime.
Step into the shadow of a monster. Grab your copy today
Experience a family’s fear and your outrage rising with each phone call and every detail of this story.
Murder, kidnapping—in this community, it was the kind of stuff that only happened in movies. No one could have thought it would happen to one of their own.
Dive into the story of Larry Gene Bell, one of the first killers who used phones to terrorize people.
Uncover the origins of this local monster as we peel back the layers of his past. Discover the complexities of his twisted personality that led to national attention.
Step by step, follow the details of Bell's heinous, cunning acts, from victim selection to killing methods. You will see why it took innovative investigative techniques to get Bell behind bars.
Join us as we go beyond the headlines and see why this case continues to echo in the modern world of true crime.
Step into the shadow of a monster. Grab your copy today
- GenresTrue Crime
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2024
362 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 1, 2024
3.5 stars
In South Carolina in the 1980s, 16-year old Shari was kidnapped from in front of her house just after she arrived home and was checking the mailbox. Her car was left running. Shari also needed medication that she did not have with her. The kidnapper then continually called her family, talking to either her mother or sister. They were tormented while trying to keep him on the phone so the police could trace the calls, in hopes of finding Shari alive. Not long after Shari was found (dead), a 9-year old little girl was also kidnapped. It was these last two that finally led police to Larry Gene Bell, and there was a list of other missing girls/women from the ‘70s and ‘80s that he is/was the main suspect in, as well.
This was good. I’ve read others in the series and I know they are short, but it would have been nice to learn more about the other missing women, as well. The author included many of the conversations Larry had with Shari’s family and wow, he was garbled and didn’t make sense much of the time. I’m assuming the author used transcripts, so the confusing statements were legitimately what he said.
In South Carolina in the 1980s, 16-year old Shari was kidnapped from in front of her house just after she arrived home and was checking the mailbox. Her car was left running. Shari also needed medication that she did not have with her. The kidnapper then continually called her family, talking to either her mother or sister. They were tormented while trying to keep him on the phone so the police could trace the calls, in hopes of finding Shari alive. Not long after Shari was found (dead), a 9-year old little girl was also kidnapped. It was these last two that finally led police to Larry Gene Bell, and there was a list of other missing girls/women from the ‘70s and ‘80s that he is/was the main suspect in, as well.
This was good. I’ve read others in the series and I know they are short, but it would have been nice to learn more about the other missing women, as well. The author included many of the conversations Larry had with Shari’s family and wow, he was garbled and didn’t make sense much of the time. I’m assuming the author used transcripts, so the confusing statements were legitimately what he said.
January 13, 2024
The story of Larry Gene Bell is one that has always given me chills since I first heard of it. There's something so much creepier about a kidnapper that calls over and over again, repeatedly making contact with the family and giving messages "from" the victim instead of just staying silent.
This book was an excellent telling of this terrible crime that upset the entire nation. It was easy to read while also incorporating a lot of true facts and detailed information. The only thing I disliked is that for me the phone calls were a little hard to follow. There was at least one that was several pages long and it didn't specify who was speaking. While I was able to figure it out whenever I lost track using context clues, I would often have to skip ahead or go back a page to figure it out.
All in all, this book was very informative on the kidnapping of Sheri Smith.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was an excellent telling of this terrible crime that upset the entire nation. It was easy to read while also incorporating a lot of true facts and detailed information. The only thing I disliked is that for me the phone calls were a little hard to follow. There was at least one that was several pages long and it didn't specify who was speaking. While I was able to figure it out whenever I lost track using context clues, I would often have to skip ahead or go back a page to figure it out.
All in all, this book was very informative on the kidnapping of Sheri Smith.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2024
I won this book from Librarything to read and review. This is a factual story of an actual killer that has been fictionalized just enough to make it more readable. A high-school student gets kidnapped just before her graduation. Her family was immediately worried, not just because she disappeared but because she had a rare disease that needed medication.
The entire first half of the book is about the abduction, victim and her family while the second half is about the kidnapper and how the police try to catch him. For the most part it's an easy read and you will learn some interesting police investigative tactics.
The entire first half of the book is about the abduction, victim and her family while the second half is about the kidnapper and how the police try to catch him. For the most part it's an easy read and you will learn some interesting police investigative tactics.
January 15, 2024
4.5 ⭐ s Tormentor
Ms Ortiz has once again created a portrait of a depraved killer who was not just content with snatching a beautiful high school senior from the end of her driveway. He had to torment the family especially the young lady's sister and mother. Calling them repeatedly. Giving false hope. Larry Gene Bell was a monster.
South Carolina's law enforcement agencies banded together immediately but they still had underestimated how cunning this terrible creature could be. How cruel to force his victim to write her Last Will and Testament. And then continue to string the Smith family along. Calling them asking for forgiveness for the unspeakable acts he had committed and compelled their innocent daughter and sister to endure.
One thing Ms Ortiz did not do was try give any mitigating circumstances or elicit sympathy for this man who viciously cold bloodedly took innocent lives for his own enjoyment. What a horrible excuse of a "human being". He had no compassion for the families or his victims. In the end he got what he deserved.
Ms Ortiz has once again created a portrait of a depraved killer who was not just content with snatching a beautiful high school senior from the end of her driveway. He had to torment the family especially the young lady's sister and mother. Calling them repeatedly. Giving false hope. Larry Gene Bell was a monster.
South Carolina's law enforcement agencies banded together immediately but they still had underestimated how cunning this terrible creature could be. How cruel to force his victim to write her Last Will and Testament. And then continue to string the Smith family along. Calling them asking for forgiveness for the unspeakable acts he had committed and compelled their innocent daughter and sister to endure.
One thing Ms Ortiz did not do was try give any mitigating circumstances or elicit sympathy for this man who viciously cold bloodedly took innocent lives for his own enjoyment. What a horrible excuse of a "human being". He had no compassion for the families or his victims. In the end he got what he deserved.
January 8, 2024
I would like to thank the publisher & author for the ARC of this book. This is a watered-down cliff notes version of the crimes committed by serial killer Larry Gene Bell. I had never heard of him before, and after reading this short story, it left me wanting to find out more about the cases and his reasoning behind these heinous murders. This book is ideal if all you want is a general understanding of what transpired, rather than every specific detail of the case.
August 25, 2025
"Nobody is as safe as they think they are."
This book is classified as True Crime. This book is about Larry Gene Bell, and his crime involving the abduction of Shari Faye Smith until his arrest. She was abducted from her driveway and the case had reached the FBI.
I wasn't fond of how the author switched it up. There was only four pages covering Larry Gene Bell, the rest is talking about Shari Faye Smith's abduction and another girls.
This book is classified as True Crime. This book is about Larry Gene Bell, and his crime involving the abduction of Shari Faye Smith until his arrest. She was abducted from her driveway and the case had reached the FBI.
I wasn't fond of how the author switched it up. There was only four pages covering Larry Gene Bell, the rest is talking about Shari Faye Smith's abduction and another girls.
January 8, 2024
This is another great story showing the investigation into the crimes of Larry Gene Bell, but it also contains more facts about the man and his crimes. Interesting read to anyone who likes true crime stories.
May 18, 2024
Good read. Succinct and interesting.
I appreciated that this book was the perfect mix of detailed and succinct. Not so many details that the reader is bogged down with irrelevant information but enough to keep the reader's interest and sufficiently explain the case.
I appreciated that this book was the perfect mix of detailed and succinct. Not so many details that the reader is bogged down with irrelevant information but enough to keep the reader's interest and sufficiently explain the case.
July 8, 2025
creepy
Just by reading what the creep said on the phone when he called the family gave me the creeps. Didn’t think he would take other girls, but then again, creeps like him never stop at one. Glad he got caught and got what he deserved.
Just by reading what the creep said on the phone when he called the family gave me the creeps. Didn’t think he would take other girls, but then again, creeps like him never stop at one. Glad he got caught and got what he deserved.
May 9, 2024
Crazy
This book is all the books of the series was the one I found to be the the one I could not put down
This book is all the books of the series was the one I found to be the the one I could not put down
May 9, 2024
Sickening!
What a cruel sick man that terrorized a family and continued to do so until his execution. Once again the justice system failed.
What a cruel sick man that terrorized a family and continued to do so until his execution. Once again the justice system failed.
May 17, 2025
This tale of a truly twisted and depraved killer was especially creepy. His taunting of the family of Shari Smith was horrific.
September 2, 2025
The case of Larry Gene Bell is something straight out of nightmares—and yet it happened, terrifyingly real and raw. This book dives deep into the horror, not just the crimes themselves but the haunting phone calls, the manipulation, and the utter dread this man instilled in his victims and the community.
As a true crime reader who’s devoured countless cases, this one stood out because it was so personal. You feel the tension rising with every page, like you’re holding your breath alongside the families involved. Ortiz doesn’t sensationalise—she tells it with clarity, respect, and enough detail to make your skin crawl in all the right (or wrong) ways.
This is the stuff that sticks with you long after the last page. Absolutely gripping and worth the read if you can handle the dark.
As a true crime reader who’s devoured countless cases, this one stood out because it was so personal. You feel the tension rising with every page, like you’re holding your breath alongside the families involved. Ortiz doesn’t sensationalise—she tells it with clarity, respect, and enough detail to make your skin crawl in all the right (or wrong) ways.
This is the stuff that sticks with you long after the last page. Absolutely gripping and worth the read if you can handle the dark.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews