Another Southside by Del Staecker is a series of episodes in the life of Jake Thompson, a near-retirement Chicago police department detective who was relegated to serve his remaining active duty days in the Administrative Investigations Unit – the place where misfit cops are exiled to handle petty cases and stay out of sight and mind. The book reads like a television series with cliffhangers and endings that do not disappoint. It is one of those books you can’t stop reading – for the excellent writing, the believable action, the keen insights, and the memorable characters, good and bad.
Just about every case Jake takes on starts at Jimmie’s Diner, Jake’s makeshift office, hang-out, and sometimes home. This is “base camp” for Jake and for the book. From there, the stories take you through Chicago’s Southside to the Caribbean islands, Hong Kong, Italy and back. It’s a dizzying ride with ample character-driven commentary about the human condition, the nature of organizations, human needs, and the fragility of one’s existence.
Several stories stand out. My favorites are “Blind One-Legged Johnny” and “Resurrection Mary.” The first is based on a true story; the second reflects a long-time Chicago area ghost story that many Chicagoans I know claim is true. There are other standouts, too numerous to mention, many of which may grace your own list of favorites. One of the most satisfying aspects of the book is how Staecker connected the stories, one to the other, all the way to the last (“The End As A Beginning”), which, as the title suggests, brings the reader full circle back to the beginning.
This was a truly entertaining read, and one that will stay with me for a long time. It also is a book that I will reread several times to fully understand its anthropological insights into our culture, our times, and the nature of humans in our society.