‘A Place We Belong’ a burlesque tale with Eliot Ness
Eliot Ness has reached a near-mythic status in Chicago, where his Untouchables brought down Al Capone, and in Cleveland, where his position as safety director brought him fame and infamy. He’s been portrayed in film and fiction, and now by Cleveland author Deanna R. Adams in “A Place We Belong.”
It starts in 1940, and is narrated by Lydia Swanson, who performs as Blue Satin Doll in a Cleveland burlesque house. One night Ness stops in and Lydia takes a seat near him, partly because she’s infatuated with him and partly because she has a matter to discuss with him. She explains that she and her younger sister Tess had been placed in an orphanage after their mother died unexpectedly. A week later, she was told that Tess was being sent to a foster home. She never saw Tess again.
Eliot agrees to look into the matter. They meet a number of times and each time Lydia’s heart flutters faster. Eliot is aware of her attraction to him and reminds her that he is a married man, but he doesn’t do all that much to dissuade her, either. Lydia’s boyfriend Bill is a cop, and she’s heard some unsavory rumors about him. Eliot cozies up to Lydia, traveling on her behalf and even taking her to New York. Eliot’s wife grows increasingly suspicious.
Though the relationship between Lydia and Ness is entirely fabricated, there is truth in “A Place We Belong.” In 1940, Cleveland was the sixth-largest city in the United States, bustling with industry and crime. Adams works in the Theatrical Grille and the Roxy Theater, and the fledgling career of Steubenville’s Dean Martin. The investigation into Tess’s disappearance leads to a villainous real-life scandal.
Lurking in the background is the Cleveland Torso Murderer. Although
Ness did reform the city’s police department and improved traffic safety, his failure to apprehend the killer is often cited for his career downfall.
“A Place We Belong” (376 pages, softcover) costs $18.99 from Lake Home Productions.
Adams is the author of nonfiction books including “Rock ’N’ Roll and the Cleveland Connection” and novels including “Peggy Sue Got Pregnant.” She will talk about “A Place Where We Belong” from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the South Euclid-Lyndhurst branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library, 1876 S. Green Road, South Euclid. Register at cuyahogalibrary.org.
‘The Storyteller’
Storytellers might not live forever, but stories do. In “The Storyteller,” a magical storybook by North Canton author Lindsay Bonilla, a boy named Griffin grows up listening to the tales of his loving grandmother.
She tells him classic folk tales and family stories. “Puss in Boots,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” and “Rapunzel” are brought to life by the Storyteller’s voice.
In the course of time, the Storyteller’s voice fades and Griffin helps her with her passing, as she tells him to “keep the stories alive.” Griffin passes down the tradition.
The warm illustrations are by Israeliborn artist Noar Lee Naggan; the images of Red Riding Hood chasing the wolf through the forest and Hansel and Gretel come to life, and when Griffin needs some magic beans, they are there for him. So is Grandmother.
“The Storyteller” (32 pages, hardcover) costs $18.99 from Nancy Paulsen Books, a division of Penguin Random House, and is recommended for ages 3-7. Bonilla’s other books include the delightful “Polar Bear Island.”
Events
Fireside Book Shop (29 N. Franklin St., Chagrin Falls): Youngstown novelist Nancy Christie signs “Finding Fran,” second in her Midlife Moxie series, 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library: The Online Author Talk series continues with novelist Shelby Van Pelt, author of “Remarkably Bright Creatures”), 7 p.m. Wednesday. Register at smfpl.org.
Lakewood Public Library (15425 Detroit Ave.): John Vacha talks about “Playhouse Square and the Cleveland Renaissance,” 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Akron-Summit County Public Library (Tallmadge branch, 90 Community Road): Tallmadge author Amanda Flower talks about “To Slip the Bonds of Earth,” her historical mystery about the Wright Brothers’ sister Katharine, 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday.
Holmes County Public Library (3102 Glen Drive, Millersburg): Brandon Weis talks about “This Is Gonna Hurt: ThruHiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Arizona Trail in a Calendar Year,” 6 p.m. Thursday. Register at holmeslibrary.org.
Cuyahoga County Public Library (South Euclid-Lyndhurst branch, 1876 S. Green Road, South Euclid): Deanna R. Adams signs “A Place We Belong,” 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday; Carlo Wolff signs “Invisible Soul: Uncovering Cleveland’s Underground Scene,” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Register at cuyahogalibrary.org.
Learned Owl Book Shop (204 N. Main St., Hudson): Chera Thompson signs “A Time to Wander” and “Dawned on the Danube,”11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Cuyahoga County Public Library (Maple Heights branch, 5225 Library Lane): David Lee Morgan signs “Black Trailblazers in Sports,” part of his series of biographies for young adults, 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Register at cuyahogalibrary.org.
Barnes & Noble (28801 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere): Garfield Heights resident Carey Hardisky signs her fantasy “Welcome to Coolersville,” 2:30 p.m. Saturday.