If you are a fan of true crime books and/or books about the Cleveland area, you’ve probably read books by John Stark Bellamy II. John used to work at the Fairview Park branch of the Cuyahoga County Library as their local history specialist. I’ve read John’s books and enjoyed them. I knew him personally at one time–we attended the same church for awhile. I’d heard that he’d retired and moved to Vermont, but I’d been wondering if he might have done anything recently. I did a Google search and found that he has, indeed, been busy having authored his first e-book for the Cleveland Digital Library of Cleveland State Univerity Library’s Special Collections of the Cleveland Memory Project (it’s their first e-book as well).
It’s titled By the Neck Until Dead and it is a history of hangings that have taken place in Cuyahoga County–fare that we have come to expect from John. If you click on the title, you will find yourself at the beginning of the book which you may read online. It will not be published in paper form. It is the seventh in a series of books on murder and mayhem in Cleveland. In case you are not familiar with the others, they are:
They Died Crawling and Other Tales of Cleveland Woe.
The Maniac in the Bushes and More Tales of Cleveland Woe
The Corpse in the Cellar and Further Tales of Cleveland Woe
The Killer in the Attic
Death Ride at Euclid Beach
Women Behaving Badly
Just click on any title above to reserve a copy for yourself.
Lest you think that Mr. Bellamy only explores true cases of murder and mystery in his hometown, let me point to a book he produced about his new home in 2007:
Vintage Vermont Villainies: True Tales of Murder & Mystery from the 19th and 20th Centuries.
I think it will be a long time before John retires his pen.
If you have some time on your hands, take a few moments to explore the other e-books in the collection of the Cleveland Memory Project. It’s a great source of interesting facts, pictures and information about Cleveland, not all of it criminal.
Becky,
Thanks for the plug, which I just discovered whilst browsing the web. A minor detail: I wrote “By the Neck Until Dead” in 2000 and it has been featured on the CSU Library website since then. All of its contents, except for Chapters I, II and VII have since appeared in my subsequent Cleveland crime volumes.
John Stark Bellamy II
John—It’s great to hear from you. I’m sorry if I got any details wrong–I was so excited to find your work! I hope you will continue to entertain us for a very long time. Have you anything new in the works currently? Keep us posted so we can look for your new work.
Becky
Thanks, Becky. I loved reading all of John Stark Bellamy II’s books & was glad to see your link here to the e-book & the book about Vermont. It is so interesting to read about all of the history (& crimes) of Cleveland.
I heard John Stark Bellamy II is doing a book on the 1944 East Ohio Gas explosion, I have never before seen pictures that are pretty great…would like to contact him.
Hi Becky,
I have read several books of John Stark Bellamy II and was glad to see that he has published an eBook.
Thanks for the link,
Alex
Could/would someone forword my message to John Bellamy? I can’t find his email adress. Much appreciated. Our fathers worked together and I wanted to share stories. Thanks.
John-our fathers worked together abt 1,000 yrs ago. I have a few pictures. Beth Wilson(Julian) Clayton
I am trying to contact John Stark Bellamy II regarding a question I have or possibly someone out there might have an answer for me. Jack Shibley was a detective in Ohio back in the late 1800’s early 1900’s and he is a great great uncle of mine and I am interested in reading about some cases it appears he solved back then. He was very well known and a family member from Ohio told me that John Stark Bellamy II has written books along this line. I do have The Corpse In The Cellar but don’t see anything in it so far on Detective Jack Shibley. Any one help me out there?? Thank you.
I just read your passage about the Jarosz murder in DEATH RIDE AT EUCLID BEACH. The photos were exceptional. The photos in the Renner book were also fantastic. You never came up with any theory…any input today?
Mr. Bellamy,
I saw your books on Amazon.
My friend’s uncle was Morris “Mushy” Wexler, owner of the Theatrical Grill in Cleveland and a purported mobster. Is he covered much in any of your books? If so, I’ll buy it for my friend’s birthday.
Please let me know.
Thanks,
John Fox
I am looking for the book written by John Stark Bellamy II, about 20 years ago, that includes the murder of Sheila Ann Tully. (I was related to her). We had a copy and it got misplaced, and would like to purchase another one.
i’m sorry that I’ve forgotten the title.
Thank You,
Marie Lau
Dear Mr. Bellamy,
I’m trying to find a copy of the book you wrote that included Sheila Ann Tully’s story. She was stabbed in 1948. She was a relative, and I had the book, but can’t find it and don’t remember the name of it. I would appreciate assistance in obtaining another copy of it.
Thank You,
Marie Lau
Mr. Bellamy,
While doing a google search for my name I found myself as a detective in your book “The last days of Cleveland”. Ironically enough, I am a police officer and also a detective. With the last name of Sifling being very unique, I was surprised to see “Detective David Sifling” in your book. So of course, it was a must buy and have. Thank you sir for the shout out : ) You can find me on Twitter @DSIFLINGWCPDPIO Thanks again and stay safe! All the best,
Detective David Sifling