King Cotton III: Jack & the Ripper
Richard A Noble
Outskirts Press (2025)
ISBN: 978-1977281593
Reviewed by Kathy Stickles for Reader Views (06/2025)
King Cotton III: Jack & the Ripper is the third installment of Richard A. Noble’s King Cotton series, and it is, as always, a wonderful mix of fictional characters and amazing history lessons for the reader. On a personal note, just let me say…YAHOO! I have reviewed both of the previous novels, and being a huge historical fiction fan at heart, I was so excited to get my hands on book three. I really am unable to put into words how much I love these stories.
Main character Jack Bailey returns in King Cotton III, having taken part in so many exploits during the first two stories, you would assume he might have run out of things to do by now. He lived through the Civil War, taking on a career as a war photographer’s assistant…he learned how to make bourbon with John Beam…and he survived some historical gunfights and train robberies. In the first two books, Jack became friends with the likes of Abraham Lincoln and Buffalo Bill Cody, just to name a few, and had a run-in with Jesse James.
In book three, the Civil War is a horrid memory, and Jack is still working for Allan Pinkerton. As the story begins, Jack finds himself hooked back up with Wild Bill Hickok, who is now a marshal in Kansas. As this story progresses, Jack is everywhere, participating in more amazing historical adventures. From joining the circus and meeting a few beautiful ladies, to being a part of Cuba’s war for independence, to going home to England, and finally wandering the streets of Whitechapel trying to help the police find information on a different man named Jack, the excitement never ends. It seems like wherever Jack Bailey goes or whatever he does, it is never, ever boring.
King Cotton III is an amazing blend of fiction and history that is very well-written, but I expect nothing less at this point from this author. Jack Baily is an extraordinary protagonist who keeps the reader interested in his life and in the historical figures he hangs out with on page after page. The people and happenings in the story are completely accurate in regard to the timing of the events as well as the truth behind them. I think that the inclusion of photos and newspaper clippings makes everything all the more accurate and fascinating for the reader.
The way the author is able to entwine all of the fictional characters and their adventures together with so much history and the real-life figures impresses me in every one of these books. The dialogue is perfect for the locations and time, and the detail in the writing allows the reader to feel as if they are right there, whether in a saloon in the Old West or on a dirty, dark street somewhere in East London.
I cannot say enough good things about King Cotton III: Jack & the Ripper by Richard A Noble, and I highly recommend it, and the entire King Cotton series, to all readers out there. The book is historically accurate, fun, exciting, and interesting to read. I am not sure if this is going to happen or not, but I am one fan who truly hopes that Jack Bailey will be returning with a fourth book. If he does, I will be the first in line. 5 Stars!!!