Genoveva OrtizBesprekingen

This true crime book was interesting it had alot of details and was very interesting I learned some new things about people I didn’t know before . Would read again

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.½

This is a great book for fans of true crime. It's chilling and involving, the writing was easy to follow and kept the pace moving. Once I started reading it was hard to put down.

After kidnapping 17 year old Shari, Larry Gene Bell began calling and writing to the family. He would drop hints about her condition, make promises, and generally cause anxiety and fear. Dawn, Shari’s sister did her best to talk to him, trying to elicit details that would help the police catch him. After Shari’s body was found, Bell kidnapped a 9 year old, killing and leaving her body by the side of the road.

I really like the format of these books. They are meant for all reading levels, but provide an interesting and detailed account of the crime. This book was well written and engaging. It was well paced and did a good job on introducing and developing the victim’s family. Overall, highly recommended.

A Call from Hell was an enthralling story about the kidnap and murder of Shari Faye Smith. The nightmare that her family endured from the twisted mind games of Larry Gene Bell was heartbreaking. I can't even begin to imagine the heartbreak her family went through. Genoveva Ortiz does a remarkable job of highlighting the events after Shari Faye Smith was kidnapped in a way that is easy to read.
I love true crime stories, and this book held my attention. It was detailed enough to paint the picture without the gratuitous details for shock value. I had never heard of Larry Gene Bell, so this was a fresh story that held my attention.

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.

A short book about Harold Shipman who murdered mostly elderly women. I knew nothing about him or his murders, probably since they took place in England. His count is estimated over 200 victims

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.

The writing is a bit dry and some of the information about killers seems like it just for filler. Not much background information given on who Larry Gene Bell was, how he grew up etc.

True Crime is not at all my kind of genre. I don't know by what kind of mistake I asked for or received this ARC, however, having received it, I felt I had to at least have a go at it, so here's my private opinion on this one:

The writing struck me as rather simplistic and formulaic tabloid-style, the victims' background and characterisation are described in such a generic way as to prevent my relating with any of them. The narrative did at no point grab my attention. DNF, so I won't give a rating.

Would like to understand what makes these people tick. Not a macabre interest but a true curiosity as to why anyone would do such horrible things to other people. There must be a malfunction in their brain to cause this behavoir. I just don't believe anyone would truly enjoy doing these things.

Hard to believe people like this exist. Would like to understand what goes on in their mind. I should have been a criminal psychologist.

Herb Baumeister was a psychopath who likely started killing in the 70s. He was a closeted gay man who occasionally frequented gay bars (even though he was married), not only for “illicit” sex, but to find victims. He was an odd child, with an odd sense of humour, and he grew up to be an odd man, who often put people off.

This is another in a series of true crime books meant for readers who may not be as strong, and I think some people notice it, but I don’t (I’ve read a few in the series now). It is shorter, though, so things move quickly in the book… It’s an interesting story. Making me wonder if I should pick up another book about this guy. They don’t even know how many people he might have killed – they have confirmed eight and it might be as high as twenty. There is one serial killer dubbed the I-70 killer and I don’t believe that case was ever closed, but some think Herb was the killer there, as well.

A short book about a insidious crime. About what you would expect. Was surprised at the length. Kind of like the crimes depicted in an hour on ID tv and the like.

I have read a lot of true crime over the years, good and bad. I have read many that go deep into detail, which is great, but can end up being boring. I love that this nook is shorter than many true crime books. It is concise but still had all the details.

I found this short novel very factual but it was just missing something. I couldn't really get into it even though the topic interests me.

The Garden of Evil is another great addition to the True Crime series by Genoveva Ortiz and it offered the introduction to a serial killer I’d never heard of, Herb Baumeister. The son of a doctor, Herb’s strange obsessions and humor left people uncomfortable around him. But as a typical psychopath, he learned to adapt and eventually married, yet he still found a way to engage in his nefarious desires. Deemed the I70 Strangler, Herb killed more than 11 men, though that may not be the full body count. This is a twisted story that keeps you turning the pages with the light on!

The Farm From Hell is one of those stories that’s too crazy NOT to be real. How Belle Gunness got away with all of the murders for so long is baffling and terrifying. She is the poster child for women serial killers. Genoveva Ortiz and True Crime Seven have produced another great book that I couldn’t put down.

I started this with the intention to read two or three chapters and come back later, but once I got started I couldn't stop! The Garden of Evil moves seamlessly from one chapter to the next to keep you hooked on this true crime story. I had not heard of Herb Baumeister before this and it is a fascinating read of a double life and the tragedy of the serial killings.
The length is perfect for anyone who does not like a long read (It can be read in about an hour) so it's a perfect weekend read. Crime podcast listeners would love this book.

True crime is extremely interesting to me and follow some YouTubers and podcasts to hear about stories like these ones. This one sounded vaguely familiar, but I didn't remember a lot of the details.

This book is meant to be short and sweet and it was. It's a very fast read. I thought the beginning part of this book was 5 stars. It gave a good overview of Herb's younger years into adulthood. I got a good feel of his quirks and extremely strange behavior.

The ending lost me a little bit. I understand that there was a lot of murders around that time and they can't be sure of exactly who is attributed to Herb. But many victims were mentioned and short synopsis of when they were last scene or reported. And there were lots of them. By the end when the book confirms the murders that Herb 100% did complete, I forgot who those people even were.

I would still recommend the book as it's really interesting. One of the few serial killers of the world that didn't have a brain injury or absolute terrible childhood (that we know of).

If you enjoy true crime, you should enjoy this one. The author does a great job presenting Herb's background and laying the groundwork for what was to come. It's an easy read but not diluted. I had not heard of this killer prior, despite enjoying the genre, so it was a real page turner.

The Garden of Evil: The True Story of Herb Baumeister and The Disturbing Horror at The Fox Hollow Farm by Genoveva Ortiz is a very highly recommended true crime story. Herb Baumeister was a successful businessman, family man, and the I-70 Strangler. Eleven murders are attributed to him but he could be responsible for more deaths. He prowled the streets and highways around Indianapolis looking for boys and men to fulfill his heinous desires.

Herb was born in 1947, the oldest of five children. His father was an anesthesiologist and the family first lived in Westfield, a well-to-do suburb north of Indianapolis, Indiana. His childhood was normal and he was well liked. Herb's personality began to change after puberty and his sense of humor included more disturbing jokes that were morbid. He was a weird awkward high schooler, and struggled after graduation for several years before he met his future wife and settled down.

His early married life had a troubled start. He was hospitalized for a time diagnosed with schizophrenia, but once he left the hospital life seemed to go better and the couple had three children. By all outward appearances he was a hard working family man, however, Herb would still secretly go to the bars in Indianapolis looking for men to pick up. This double life eventually led to the more nefarious desire to murder and Herb became one of America's most notorious serial killers.

True Crime Seven includes a note explaining the style of their books at the beginning which makes it clear to readers that all of their true crime books are written in an accessible style for a variety of reading levels and are meant to be short. True Crime readers looking for a deep dive into and examination of every fact and aspect of a particular person might want more, but those who are just interested in knowing the basic facts and details of a case will appreciate the brevity and easy to read style. It makes the pages fly by while allowing you to learn all the details.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of True Crime Seven via LibraryThing.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2023/04/the-garden-of-evil.html½

This was my first exposure to Belle Gunness and this true crime series. I was drawn to the book having been raised in the midwest and fascinated by a woman serial killer. Though the material was engaging, I was not enamored by the writing. It felt sloppy and incomplete at times. That said, I am open to reading more in this series.

If you love true crime, then this is the perfect book. Lots of true tales about people who do crazy crimes.

Well-researched, in depth look into seven different serial killers, the cases, and victims.