King Cotton II: Kentucky Gold
Richard A. Noble
Outskirts Press (2024)
ISBN: 978-1977273956
Reviewed by Kathy Stickles for Reader Views (10/2024)
So, for all readers out there who love a great story mixed together with tons of historical figures and information…just like me…I am telling you that you have to read this book. “King Cotton II: Kentucky Gold” is one of the best that I have read in a long time. This is one that I read in a single afternoon and then I immediately went on Amazon and bought the first in the series, “King Cotton.” I adored it and I think you will as well.
“King Cotton II: Kentucky Gold” picks up right where the first book ends, just a few minutes after the assassination of President Lincoln. We immediately meet up with main character Jack Bailey as he is rushing to get out of Washington, D.C. amid fears that he will be arrested for having something to do with the murder. This story follows along with Jack’s travels as he runs away thinking that he will head west and figure out what to do when he gets there.
As Baily runs away, he also runs into numerous famous real-life figures from this period in history; people such as Jefferson Davis, Wild Bill Hickok, and Frank and Jesse James just to name a few. His first meeting is with Davis as he too is running away. Jack somehow ends up with a part of the Confederate treasury that Davis has absconded with, and he quickly goes on his way, now with a bankroll he was not expecting.
After that the adventures continue as Jack finds himself being at one of the first “quick draw” gunfights that ever happened; he joins up with Jack Beam to make whiskey; he drives longhorn cattle on the Chisholm Trail; and he participates unknowingly in a bank robbery with the James boys. Even with all the new exploits and new characters, we still are granted the fun of seeing old but familiar faces from the first book, such as Allan Pinkerton, the head of the famous detective agency and P.T. Barnum, founder of the famous circus.
“King Cotton II: Kentucky Gold” is fun, suspenseful at many junctures, and just a fabulous read. The book is very well-written, and the characters are presented in such a historically accurate way, making it even more interesting. Mr. Noble definitely knows how to create a great story. Jack Bailey is a completely fictional character, and he is so much fun to read about and watch as he changes directions and tries to get out of situations.
The way the author is able to take this man and weave his story and adventures so easily into the lives of so many real historical figures is really spectacular. I thought that the dialogue was very well-written and quite fun in a lot of spots. I also felt that the book is very well-researched and accurate for the time period. I loved the vivid writing that made me feel as if I was right there in the distillery or on the trail or on the train during the robbery.
To be completely honest, there is nothing that I did not love about the book, which I am sure you have figured out by now. I would highly recommend “King Cotton II: Kentucky Gold” by Richard A. Noble to any fan of historical fiction as this is one of the best. From the plot to the characters to the accuracy to the fun, there is nothing about this book that is not excellent, and you should definitely not miss it!! 5 Stars and more if I could give them!