The Last Days of Cleveland: and More True Tales of Crime and Disaster from Cleveland's Past

by John Stark Bellamy II

The sixth volume in Bellamy's popular series of true crime and disaster includes Joseph "Specs" Russell, who vaulted to fame in the summer of 1927 by staging 52 stick-ups and making fools of Cleveland lawmen with "impossible" escapes from their dragnets . . . West Park sisters Helen, 11, and Marguerite, 10, who died after eating Rough-on-Rats brand poison in their grandmother's basement--were they victims of a genetic "suicide mania," or of the cruelest caretaker since Hansel and Gretel's stepmom? . . . The wealthy but oh-so-unlucky Corrigan family, whose turn for the worse only began with the sinking of their luxury yacht on Lake Erie . . . and many other gripping tales.

Genres: History, True Crime, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

About the author

John Stark Bellamy II is the author of six books and two anthologies about Cleveland crime and disaster. The former history specialist for the Cuyahoga County Public Library, he comes by his taste for the sensational honestly, having grown up reading stories about Cleveland crime and disaster written by his grandfather, Paul, who was editor of the Plain Dealer, and his father, Peter, who wrote for the Cleveland News and the Plain Dealer."

Reviews

[Jen Jaketic · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining, detailed, and historical book on murders and curious events in Cleveland from the late 1800s to the 1930s. Bellamy uses exact locations, using the former and current names of streets, so that I could picture in my mind where the events took place. He also used actual quotes and gave incredible detail, even including what newspaper reports of the time had chronicled about the event. I wish he had an index in the back that listed the old street names with the new, because once he mentioned the modern street name, (for ex, E 6th used to be Bank St), he would only ever refer to the old name. Also, the book wasn't properly edited but I've found that's common with small-time publishers of Cleveland history. Still, a great read.

[April Helms · Rating 5 out of 5]

It always makes my month to find that Bellamy, a former Cleveland resident, has released a new compilation of Cleveland disaster tales. This one has several new stories. I think my favorite was the one dealing with longtime firefighter George Wallace. By "longtime" we're talking more than 60 years (I don't have the book in front of me). He was an interesting and colorful character. The story didn't exactly fit in with most of the other stories -- which cover crime and disaster -- but it was fun nonetheless. I also enjoyed Bellamy's personal story about his own brush with disaster. It sounds like something my cousins and I would have tried to do, if we had the land and equipment (except perhaps the "finale"). The book is written with Bellamy's trademark wit and attention to detail. You'd be hard pressed to find someone more knowledgeable on the macabre side of Cleveland's history.

[Chuck Ledger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Plain Dealer review says it best....Morbidly fascinating and wickedly entertaining.

[Brandon Montgomery · Rating 1 out of 5]

I normally enjoy this series, but this particular entry was just tedious.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this series and have had the pleasure of hearing the author give his lectures on his books at my library, the very same where he worked. The staff let me know about this one, knowing I am a fan of his. I got to hear the last tale from the author himself at his last lecture before he retired.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course I love all of Mr. Bellamy's books!

[Marlene Hodgson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love his books, especially because they took part in Cleveland. I think he is a great writer and the books I have read are one's you don't want to put down.

[Dawn Livingston]

Nothing wrong with it, just didn't interest me though I live in Cleveland. I skimmed through it and moved on to another book.