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Murder in the Midlands: Larry Gene Bell and the 28 Days of Terror that Shook South Carolina
Former South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) forensic photographer Lieutenant Rita Y. Shuler leads us through the twenty-eight days of terror and shocking events of one of the most notorious double murders and manhunts in South Carolina history. Shuler shares her own personal interactions with some of the key players in this famous manhunt and investigation. Also included are Bell's chilling calls from area phone booths to the Smith family, along with his disconcerting interviews and bizarre actions in the courtroom, which show the dark, evil and criminal mind of this horrific killer. This case has been featured on the Discovery Channel's FBI Files, episode "Cat and Mouse," and in the CBS movie Nightmare in Columbia County, which can still be seen on Lifetime TV. It currently runs as the episode "Last Will" on Court TV's Forensic Files.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2007
97 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 29, 2020
Great insight into this case I'd never heard of until now. Bell was quite the character, and manipulative at every step. What a tragedy.
June 10, 2020
This book was good, but not that good. The writing was good, but in telling the story, sometimes the dialogue just seemed forced to me. These were extreme circumstances for anyone to have to go through, so maybe that's how things went for them, but I just had a hard time getting into the story.
The facts were definitely there, though, and I found myself thinking about these two girls as I read, so I guess in that, the author did what I'm sure she set out to do. As a story, it wasn't that good, but in presenting the facts, you get a picture like you're in the courtroom with them or something. Overall, not bad.
The facts were definitely there, though, and I found myself thinking about these two girls as I read, so I guess in that, the author did what I'm sure she set out to do. As a story, it wasn't that good, but in presenting the facts, you get a picture like you're in the courtroom with them or something. Overall, not bad.
May 9, 2025
Pretty run of the mill true crime. Focus on victims & killer split pretty well.
Not much in depth material but follows the case from beginning to end.
Not much in depth material but follows the case from beginning to end.
August 6, 2019
I read another book by this author (SMALL-TOWN SLAYINGS IN SOUTH CAROLINA), and admired her for focusing on the victims rather than the perpetrator. The same goes for this book. As she puts it in the Author's Note, "Cases should not be remembered for the persons who did the crime. That would only glorify those persons. We should always remember the victims and keep the awareness that bad and evil continue to happen."
April 14, 2020
This book was a factual retelling of the kidnapping and murder of two young girls in Lexington, SC. As a crime book it clearly covered the impact on the families of the girls and their lives.
It did rankle as it was clearly a "police are always good guys who triumph over evil criminals" point of view. What I mean by that is there are a few schools of thought. First is the belief that police are always the good guys, out there like Matt Dillon, protecting the townfolk from unsavory characters. There's another that thinks police work hard at their jobs, but they aren't perfect and it's possible they might actually arrest the wrong person. [I don't think they did in this scenario, but there are hundreds of overturned convictions where that was the case. ] The book was, in my opinion, skewed by an overinflated sense of the importance of the police and much less, if no thought was given to the criminal, the defense, or the how or why.
That's a long way of saying the book was a good, dry, retelling of the kidnappings, manhunt, and ultimately arrest and trial. Long excerpts of trial transcripts, verbatim quoting entire opening and closing arguments did not convey the feeling in the courtroom, the jurors response, the families responses, the opposing council's response.
I also felt it did a disservice the the great Jack Swerling, one of the most respected criminal defense attorneys in the state of South Carolina. The author just leaves the statement Mr. Swerling makes about protecting his clients constitutional rights. That's a defense attorney's job. To make the state prove their case before depriving a citizen of liberty.
If you want to know about this case, read this book.
It did rankle as it was clearly a "police are always good guys who triumph over evil criminals" point of view. What I mean by that is there are a few schools of thought. First is the belief that police are always the good guys, out there like Matt Dillon, protecting the townfolk from unsavory characters. There's another that thinks police work hard at their jobs, but they aren't perfect and it's possible they might actually arrest the wrong person. [I don't think they did in this scenario, but there are hundreds of overturned convictions where that was the case. ] The book was, in my opinion, skewed by an overinflated sense of the importance of the police and much less, if no thought was given to the criminal, the defense, or the how or why.
That's a long way of saying the book was a good, dry, retelling of the kidnappings, manhunt, and ultimately arrest and trial. Long excerpts of trial transcripts, verbatim quoting entire opening and closing arguments did not convey the feeling in the courtroom, the jurors response, the families responses, the opposing council's response.
I also felt it did a disservice the the great Jack Swerling, one of the most respected criminal defense attorneys in the state of South Carolina. The author just leaves the statement Mr. Swerling makes about protecting his clients constitutional rights. That's a defense attorney's job. To make the state prove their case before depriving a citizen of liberty.
If you want to know about this case, read this book.
September 23, 2022
I remember hearing of the Shari case in my very early teens and being shocked and puzzled as well as frightened that someone could be taken from their own driveway so quickly and end up murdered.I learned a little bit more of the case over the years from TV after reading this book,Shari is a hero to me.To think that a young girl waus kidnapped,raped and then faced certain death with such strength ,dignity,and grace is just amazing.She was truly faithful and a devout pilgrim of Jesus.I have no doubt she was welcomed into Heaven that awful night.Her family is also a shining example of truth and faith in God and the saviour as they were able to fully forgive the killer of their sweet daughter early on in the time after her murder.
I knew a child had also been taken and killed but did not know anything about Debra May.So sorry for that poor child and what she went through in that long ago Summer.Her family has suffered greatly as well.I was glad to learn a bit about Debra May.I hope she and Shari have been able to meet in heaven.
As for Larry Gene Bell,may God have mercy on his soul.I have no doubt that he killed the other 3 missing girls as well after reading this book.I hope their families were able to find some kind of peace.
I knew a child had also been taken and killed but did not know anything about Debra May.So sorry for that poor child and what she went through in that long ago Summer.Her family has suffered greatly as well.I was glad to learn a bit about Debra May.I hope she and Shari have been able to meet in heaven.
As for Larry Gene Bell,may God have mercy on his soul.I have no doubt that he killed the other 3 missing girls as well after reading this book.I hope their families were able to find some kind of peace.
August 23, 2025
I listened to this book, and I have to say the narration was well done. The narrator does an outstanding job of drawing you into the story.
As for the story, I appreciated the author's focus on the victims and avoiding giving the murderer any glory. The man in the story was an evil person who deserved his sentence. It is interesting to note that North Carolina also charged Larry Dean Bell as the murderer in one of their cold cases, after his death.
My only drawback to the book was the pace really slowed during the court cases and their discussion. I felt perhaps some shortening of this portion would have prevented the book from dragging.
However, that said, the book was still a good overall story and a good true crime novel.
As for the story, I appreciated the author's focus on the victims and avoiding giving the murderer any glory. The man in the story was an evil person who deserved his sentence. It is interesting to note that North Carolina also charged Larry Dean Bell as the murderer in one of their cold cases, after his death.
My only drawback to the book was the pace really slowed during the court cases and their discussion. I felt perhaps some shortening of this portion would have prevented the book from dragging.
However, that said, the book was still a good overall story and a good true crime novel.
April 10, 2023
It’s taken me at least a month to get around to writing a review for this, because combined with real life it was kind of hard wrapping my mind around this insanity. By the end, I was wondering “Is he crazy or am I crazy?” (Both, but I digress.) I had never heard of Larry Gene Bell so I was really interested in reading this. He wasn’t a serial killer as I first thought, but he did enough damage as it was.
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January 1, 2026I don't review Nonfiction star rating wise
I had never heard of this case, but I really want to start getting into true crime novels. I think when they're done well, it keeps the reader engaged. It was an interesting and kind of insane case because the murderer was really messed up. I don't think I felt it, though because the narrator didn't do a very good job in my opinion. She was very monotone and it just kept me kind of disconnected.
I had never heard of this case, but I really want to start getting into true crime novels. I think when they're done well, it keeps the reader engaged. It was an interesting and kind of insane case because the murderer was really messed up. I don't think I felt it, though because the narrator didn't do a very good job in my opinion. She was very monotone and it just kept me kind of disconnected.
October 26, 2018
True Crime Story
This is an interesting book as far as the story of the criminal's MO and his actions towards his victims. However, the author does not show any understanding of his mental illness or how it affected his crimes. I would like threads book that takes that into account.
This is an interesting book as far as the story of the criminal's MO and his actions towards his victims. However, the author does not show any understanding of his mental illness or how it affected his crimes. I would like threads book that takes that into account.
February 25, 2020
True story of kidnappings and murders
I live in Lexington SC was anxious to read this true crime ...Murder in the Midlands. The story was well researched and written and included most or all of the details of this crime that affected my now hometown. For those that enjoy true stories, it is a good read although a tragic story.
I live in Lexington SC was anxious to read this true crime ...Murder in the Midlands. The story was well researched and written and included most or all of the details of this crime that affected my now hometown. For those that enjoy true stories, it is a good read although a tragic story.
April 30, 2020
The book is interesting because the story is interesting. Writing is not good. Just factual this happened then this happened then this happened. Also clearly biased from the state point of view. A better author could’ve really drawn out more detail of the defense and the trial which I’m sure was fascinating.
August 3, 2020
Informational
only, it seems. I couldn't take how plodding and slow this recounting was, I finally skimmed the book after making it to the 35% mark.
I recalled these events from The Forensic Files or other similar TV show. It was truly a sad story, no doubt, but I may as well have read a spreadsheet about these kidnappings and murders, it was just that dull.
only, it seems. I couldn't take how plodding and slow this recounting was, I finally skimmed the book after making it to the 35% mark.
I recalled these events from The Forensic Files or other similar TV show. It was truly a sad story, no doubt, but I may as well have read a spreadsheet about these kidnappings and murders, it was just that dull.
March 12, 2023
I love a true crime but this one truly mad me angry. This man was convicted 3 previous times for acts against females and had been in a mental institution 3 times where it was determined he would continue his acts of violence towards females. Which he did in killing 2, one a high school senior and the other a 10 year old little girl. This book shows how broken our judicial system is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2018
Exceptionally well written
The concise writing of this book made following the details of the events easy to understand and follow. Ms. Shuler told the facts of these murders and trials in a manner that kept me reading. I highly recommend this true crime book.
The concise writing of this book made following the details of the events easy to understand and follow. Ms. Shuler told the facts of these murders and trials in a manner that kept me reading. I highly recommend this true crime book.
February 15, 2020
Interesting Read!
I am from SC and had not heard of this case before. The author did a great job of providing information on what the Smith family had to deal with. Recommended read.
I am from SC and had not heard of this case before. The author did a great job of providing information on what the Smith family had to deal with. Recommended read.
December 12, 2017
INTERESTING
Was a well written and interesting read. During the trials too detailed for my taste but in general, very good.
Was a well written and interesting read. During the trials too detailed for my taste but in general, very good.
March 19, 2018
Brilliant
Very good account of the terrible loss of two beautiful innocent girls and the horrendous sadist who was thankfully executed after ten years on death row
Very good account of the terrible loss of two beautiful innocent girls and the horrendous sadist who was thankfully executed after ten years on death row
May 12, 2020
What a horrible story, the fact that he kept calling the family and taunting them. What an evil person. I am glad he got the death sentence.
January 30, 2022
Excellent
I would highly recommend this book. The author does a great captivating job for something so terrible to try and put on paper.
I would highly recommend this book. The author does a great captivating job for something so terrible to try and put on paper.
July 12, 2024
This was a dry, boring slog to get through and I finally had to force myself to finish it.
December 31, 2025
What a wild story!! My heart goes out to the families that were affected. Thank you, Rita, for telling the story!
December 11, 2015
This book is very well written and kept me on the edge of my seat for every page I flipped through on the book. This book encompasses the events of Lexington County, South Carolina during the 28 Days that a murderer took the county in terror. Shari Smith, a popular senior was abducted while getting the mail from her mailbox on the way home from school. Her father was waiting for her to come home inside their house, at the end of the long driveway. After she did not come in for 20 minutes after seen at the mailbox, her father grew worried about her and went to the mailbox. Her car was left running with her purse in the car. It seemed as if she just vanished. The killer taunted the family with chilling phone calls. By the time police traced the calls, the killer was gone from the scene of the pay phone. He called and led the family to the body of Shari Smith. Then, he called again, mentioning that he killed an 11 year old girl, Debra May Hemlick. This book is a thriller and I strongly recommend that anyone who loves a good crime novel, read this.
November 11, 2015
I very much enjoyed this book. Growing up in Lexington County Larry Gene Bell was synonymous with Shari Smith, everyone knows about that case. Unfortunately very few people speak of little Debra May Helmick.
I also really enjoyed the added insight from the trial. I find it very telling that he sat completely quiet during the first half of the Smith trial and the entire Helmick trial. His outburst started once his sanity become a question. I am more convinced than ever the he was completely sane.
I also really enjoyed the added insight from the trial. I find it very telling that he sat completely quiet during the first half of the Smith trial and the entire Helmick trial. His outburst started once his sanity become a question. I am more convinced than ever the he was completely sane.
August 13, 2015
A real piece of work.
Not only was this man a killer, but also a sadist. He tormented his victims, but that wasn't enough, he continued to victimize the family of one. To keep calling them, letting them hold out hope that their love one would be returned is just vile. Death came to easy for this man, he got to live for over ten years after the murders and be forgiven by some of their families. There must be a special place in hell for people like this.
Not only was this man a killer, but also a sadist. He tormented his victims, but that wasn't enough, he continued to victimize the family of one. To keep calling them, letting them hold out hope that their love one would be returned is just vile. Death came to easy for this man, he got to live for over ten years after the murders and be forgiven by some of their families. There must be a special place in hell for people like this.
August 18, 2016
Very factual, chronological account of these terrible events.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews