What would you do if the dream property you just bought turned out to be hiding a decades-old criminal empire beneath its floors?
For Richard Jackson, that discovery is just another day in a life that refuses to slow down.
In these gripping chapters from Ed Nelson’s alternate history epic, The Richard Jackson Saga, readers follow Rick as he crosses continents, buys airplanes on impulse, and accidentally uncovers a secret that could shake both the past and the present. It’s part detective story, part international adventure — and all classic Jackson.
“It was like going downstairs on Christmas morning when I was four or five.”
That single line captures the tone of these chapters perfectly — curiosity, excitement, and the sudden realization that the box you just opened might contain more than you bargained for.
A House With Too Many Stories
Rick’s latest acquisition — Jackson House Australia — seems, at first, like a solid business move. A stately property, a clean title, and a motivated heir who couldn’t care less about it. For Rick, who’s as comfortable closing deals as he is piloting planes, it’s another trophy in an ever-growing collection of “projects.”
But when he steps into the dusty master suite and finds the now-familiar hidden door, everything changes. What begins as an architectural curiosity turns into a full-blown mystery involving a subbasement loaded with heroin, Swiss bearer bonds, gold coins, and a ledger of names powerful enough to rewrite history.
Rick is no stranger to secrets — every Jackson House seems to hide one — but this is on another level. It’s wealth, corruption, and scandal preserved like a time capsule under his new home.
“What I found wasn’t much of a Christmas present. In the center of the subbasement… were several pallets loaded with bricks of heroin.”
The Weight of Inheritance
One of the most compelling threads throughout The Richard Jackson Saga is Rick’s uneasy relationship with legacy. He’s a young man surrounded by privilege and power — yet he’s constantly forced to navigate the moral fallout of what he inherits. In Sydney, that weight becomes literal: a metric ton of narcotics, sealed away for decades.
Ed Nelson uses these moments to explore a question that runs through the entire series: What do you do when history drops its burden on your doorstep?
Rick’s first instinct is both practical and comical — burn it, dump it, drop it out of a plane. Each option spirals into absurd logistical and ethical hazards, perfectly blending tension with humor. Nelson’s sharp prose keeps readers guessing whether Rick will make the right call or blow up another headline.
“I could visualize packing the stuff in weighted crates, flying it out to sea and dropping it… Scratch that idea.”
Planes, Bonds, and British Politeness
Why do fans love Richard Jackson as a protagonist? He’s equally at home discussing aircraft maintenance, fine tailoring, or diplomatic protocol. His life moves at jet speed — literally — and the tone mirrors that restless momentum.
Between flights, Rick buys a pristine 1960 Cessna 310D (“it flew like a dream”), uncovers a vintage 1955 MG MGA in an old garage, and maneuvers through a half-dozen conversations that reveal his sharp wit and instinct for survival.
Even as the Australian police arrive to investigate his discovery, Rick remains unflappable — polite, composed, and quick on his feet. His calm, even when surrounded by chaos, is one of the saga’s enduring charms.
“Their eyes were bugging out as they saw what was there.”
The Moral Compass at the Center of the Storm
Despite the temptation — and the fortune literally sitting in front of him — he does the right thing. He turns the evidence over to the authorities, earning both their respect and the reader’s admiration.
Nelson doesn’t portray him as a perfect hero. Rick second-guesses himself constantly. He jokes about his luck, leans on his parents for advice, and admits when he’s out of his depth. Yet in a world full of secrecy and self-interest, that humility becomes his strength.
By the end of the sequence, the Sydney Police Commissioner himself is thanking Rick for his honesty — and asking him to stay silent while they unravel what could be one of Australia’s largest cold cases. Rick, ever the gentleman, agrees.
A Cinematic, Alternate History Adventure
If you’ve never read The Richard Jackson Saga, think alternate history meets adventure thriller, told through the eyes of a young man growing into global influence. Each book layers on a mix of espionage, business intrigue, romance, and humor.
From the orphanages of America to Hollywood film sets and royal errands abroad, Rick’s journey weaves through real historical events with bold “what if” twists. Nelson’s world is richly detailed — airplanes hum, wine cellars glisten with vintage labels, and every handshake could conceal a secret deal.
“Another place I hadn’t looked in my haste to buy the place was the outbuildings. Under one tarp was a 1955 MG MGA — my Sydney car.”
Why Readers Keep Coming Back
1. The tone is fresh and grounded.
Rick’s internal monologue is full of dry humor and youthful energy. You feel like you’re traveling alongside him — jetlag, moral dilemmas, and all.
2. The pacing never lags.
One chapter he’s buying a plane; the next, he’s uncovering an international drug trail. Nelson balances business acumen with spy-movie tension.
3. It rewards long-time readers.
Each “Jackson House” connects to the others in subtle ways. Discovering how they fit together is half the fun.
4. The alternate history feels plausible.
Nelson’s meticulous attention to real-world detail — from vintage aircraft specs to diplomatic etiquette — grounds the fiction in authenticity.
From the Author’s World to Yours
Reading The Richard Jackson Saga feels like paging through an alternate timeline of the 20th century — one shaped not by governments, but by a single man’s decisions. Whether he’s dealing with movie stars, monarchs, or smugglers, Rick remains the anchor that keeps readers emotionally invested.
The Sydney chapters mark a turning point: the moment when Rick stops being a bystander to history and becomes one of its quiet architects.
And the best part? You never quite know what he’ll find in the next Jackson House.
“Those ledgers have given us leads on companies and organizations that are still active.”
Start the Journey
The Richard Jackson Saga isn’t just a story — it’s an evolving world. Adventure, integrity, romance, and danger are woven together with cinematic flair.
