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Derringer #1
Derringer
Introducing a gun-blazing new series from the masters of the classic Western. Meet Jesse Derringer. Troubleshooter for the Union Pacific Railroad. Where there’s trouble, there’s Derringer. And where there’s Derringer, there’s shooting . . .
On the Fourth of July in 1867, the Union Pacific Railroad announced plans to expand their line into the remote mountains of Dakota Territory. They chose a site near Crow Creek Crossing to be their headquarters and named it Cheyenne. Almost immediately, new residents began to dreamers and schemers, drifters and grifters, good folks and bad. The owners of Union Pacific knew there’d be problems. Between settling disputes, laying down tracks, and keeping the peace, they’d need a troubleshooter. A reliable man of steely resolve. A concealed weapon . . .
His name is Derringer. Like the gun.
Arriving by cattle car with two of his beloved horses, Jesse Derringer is not your typical railroad employee. With the eyes of a scout, he looks for trouble before it becomes a problem for the construction crews—and sometimes starts trouble himself. Usually he handles hot-tempered troublemakers with a cool head and steady hand. But then there are problems that are more complicated and it’s Derringer’s job to defuse them—before they ignite a full-blown bloodbath.
Jesse Derringer is about to learn the true definition of trouble-shooting.
On the Fourth of July in 1867, the Union Pacific Railroad announced plans to expand their line into the remote mountains of Dakota Territory. They chose a site near Crow Creek Crossing to be their headquarters and named it Cheyenne. Almost immediately, new residents began to dreamers and schemers, drifters and grifters, good folks and bad. The owners of Union Pacific knew there’d be problems. Between settling disputes, laying down tracks, and keeping the peace, they’d need a troubleshooter. A reliable man of steely resolve. A concealed weapon . . .
His name is Derringer. Like the gun.
Arriving by cattle car with two of his beloved horses, Jesse Derringer is not your typical railroad employee. With the eyes of a scout, he looks for trouble before it becomes a problem for the construction crews—and sometimes starts trouble himself. Usually he handles hot-tempered troublemakers with a cool head and steady hand. But then there are problems that are more complicated and it’s Derringer’s job to defuse them—before they ignite a full-blown bloodbath.
Jesse Derringer is about to learn the true definition of trouble-shooting.
- GenresWesternsHistorical
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2025
75 people are currently reading
2507 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,040 books1,392 followersWilliam W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 22, 2025
A pleasant enjoyable read. 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4.
It was more about Jesse, the man hired to help scout for the railroad than it was about the railroad itself in late 1800s. He was a complex man, hard when he needed to be, but kind when it came naturally.
The Johnstone's have a good series started with this one and I liked that it was fast and kept my interest, albeit a bit repetitive at times, making it seem a bit clunky but did not distract from my enjoyment of the novel. The Johnstone’s followers won’t be disappointed in yet another series featuring an enjoyable new character.
Pick up your copy on release date August 26, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the e-ARC.
It was more about Jesse, the man hired to help scout for the railroad than it was about the railroad itself in late 1800s. He was a complex man, hard when he needed to be, but kind when it came naturally.
The Johnstone's have a good series started with this one and I liked that it was fast and kept my interest, albeit a bit repetitive at times, making it seem a bit clunky but did not distract from my enjoyment of the novel. The Johnstone’s followers won’t be disappointed in yet another series featuring an enjoyable new character.
Pick up your copy on release date August 26, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the e-ARC.
August 10, 2025
Derringer is a classic Wild West fiction book complete with saloons and gunslingers. It was a short read and filled with action. It’s been years since I read a western novel and I really enjoyed this as something different to the usual genres I read. I liked how the main character (Jesse Derringer), was not flashy or arrogant. He knew his own skills and never showed any fear. He had a strong sense of taking down the bullies and looking after the vulnerable. Usually this was when no one else was willing or able to do it. He was humble, calm and intelligent. Retribution was handed out swiftly and with no mercy. The bad guys got what was coming to them. And when he wasn’t taking out the undesirables he would go about his business in town treating everyone with respect and politeness. From the sheriff, to the guy who looked after his horses, to the ladies who cooked his meals, to the local prostitutes. Derringer was the kind of man all men want to be. If you’re in the mood for a good western then you can’t go wrong with this book. A copy of this book was provided to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 8, 2025
ook Review: Derringer by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone
Derringer by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone is the start of a new Western series that follows Jesse Derringer, a former Union Army scout hired as a troubleshooter for the Union Pacific Railroad. Set in the Wyoming Territory, the book explores the challenges of railroad expansion, lawlessness, and survival in the untamed West.
The story itself is well-written, with a strong setting and an engaging premise. The descriptions bring the Western frontier to life, and the conflicts that arise feel fitting for the time period. However, in my opinion, the actual writing suffers from excessive repetition, making it feel like the author was trying to meet a word count rather than focusing on a tighter narrative. Characters often repeat information almost verbatim, which slows the pacing and makes the dialogue feel unnatural. For example, the dangers of the town and surrounding area are explained in detail by one character, only for another character to say the same thing a page later. This doesn’t add anything new to the story and quickly becomes frustrating.
Another distraction is the use of certain phrases, such as “He’s taking Jake at me.” It’s unclear whether this is an obscure Western slang term or just an unusual stylistic choice, but it stands out as odd.
Despite these flaws, the book has an interesting premise, and fans of traditional Westerns may find it enjoyable. The cover artwork and publisher’s description initially drew me in, and while I don’t typically read Westerns, I was intrigued by the setting and concept. In my opinion, if the repetitive writing had been tightened up, Derringer could have been a much stronger read.
Release Date: August 26, 2025
Publisher: Pinnacle Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Derringer by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone is the start of a new Western series that follows Jesse Derringer, a former Union Army scout hired as a troubleshooter for the Union Pacific Railroad. Set in the Wyoming Territory, the book explores the challenges of railroad expansion, lawlessness, and survival in the untamed West.
The story itself is well-written, with a strong setting and an engaging premise. The descriptions bring the Western frontier to life, and the conflicts that arise feel fitting for the time period. However, in my opinion, the actual writing suffers from excessive repetition, making it feel like the author was trying to meet a word count rather than focusing on a tighter narrative. Characters often repeat information almost verbatim, which slows the pacing and makes the dialogue feel unnatural. For example, the dangers of the town and surrounding area are explained in detail by one character, only for another character to say the same thing a page later. This doesn’t add anything new to the story and quickly becomes frustrating.
Another distraction is the use of certain phrases, such as “He’s taking Jake at me.” It’s unclear whether this is an obscure Western slang term or just an unusual stylistic choice, but it stands out as odd.
Despite these flaws, the book has an interesting premise, and fans of traditional Westerns may find it enjoyable. The cover artwork and publisher’s description initially drew me in, and while I don’t typically read Westerns, I was intrigued by the setting and concept. In my opinion, if the repetitive writing had been tightened up, Derringer could have been a much stronger read.
Release Date: August 26, 2025
Publisher: Pinnacle Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2025
Found another stumble from the Johnstone Clan. I recognize the ghost writer. This one has every character at one buffet or another throughout the book. The writing indicates most characters are fit. However, the eating involved and lack of exercise should have each at 4 or 500 pounds and killing the horse they thought they'd ride.
AS written in earlier reviews of the writer, that person should be a better writer to move the narrative from mostly table top encounters to ones in banks, general stores, out on a prairie, etc. I know the food setting is easier to assemble, but the repetitive nonsense of characters and cooks and waitresses is boring and unneeded.
As I write of repetition, the editor missed a number of times when sentences and near paragraphs are nearly repeated. Was A.I. involved? Could it be that this book is so padded to meet print requirements that those assembling it just added whatever to fill pages and lost track of the story?
The story is another issue. There's not much of one hear. It's more of a few weeks in the life of the main character.
This is where I really cut into the book: The highlight of Johnstone Clan books are the characters. Always multi-dimensional and interesting. Derringer is not. The usual depth is absent. This book could have been a Smoke Jensen novel (and I seem to recall a few nearly similar Smoke tales).
The Johnstone Clan desperately need to focus on a few series and stop expanding as the book world contracts.
Sadly, this is one of the worse Johnstone books I've read out of almost 300.
Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 3 out of ten points.
This book was provided by NetGalley.com
AS written in earlier reviews of the writer, that person should be a better writer to move the narrative from mostly table top encounters to ones in banks, general stores, out on a prairie, etc. I know the food setting is easier to assemble, but the repetitive nonsense of characters and cooks and waitresses is boring and unneeded.
As I write of repetition, the editor missed a number of times when sentences and near paragraphs are nearly repeated. Was A.I. involved? Could it be that this book is so padded to meet print requirements that those assembling it just added whatever to fill pages and lost track of the story?
The story is another issue. There's not much of one hear. It's more of a few weeks in the life of the main character.
This is where I really cut into the book: The highlight of Johnstone Clan books are the characters. Always multi-dimensional and interesting. Derringer is not. The usual depth is absent. This book could have been a Smoke Jensen novel (and I seem to recall a few nearly similar Smoke tales).
The Johnstone Clan desperately need to focus on a few series and stop expanding as the book world contracts.
Sadly, this is one of the worse Johnstone books I've read out of almost 300.
Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 3 out of ten points.
This book was provided by NetGalley.com
March 14, 2025
J.A. Johnstone continues the family reputation as one of the most influential Western writers with Derringer (Pinnacle 2025). This is the story of a hard working man down on his luck but remembered by those who benefited from his efforts in the past. With barely enough money for a cup of coffee, he is recruited to scout for the Union Pacific in the latter half of the 1800's, as they expand into the Dakota Territory. A general he fought beside during the Civil War remembered his skill tracking and devotion to doing the job right and hires him to scout and defuse trouble when necessary. Winter arrives before Derringer can begin his new job so while he awaits the return of Spring, he agrees to help the local sheriff bring order and justice to his undermanned town. In this position, Derringer shows he is also a shootest, skilled at keeping the peace without fear of doing what must be done. That's where the excitement starts and never ends.
Derringer is an interesting character. He’s rough enough that he doesn’t mind killing and will lie when it suits his purposes, but gentle enough to name his horse and respect the soiled doves. The story is fully satisfying so am hoping the promise in the blurb--"new series"--means a sequel. Don’t stop reading early because the ending has a big surprise.
Derringer is an interesting character. He’s rough enough that he doesn’t mind killing and will lie when it suits his purposes, but gentle enough to name his horse and respect the soiled doves. The story is fully satisfying so am hoping the promise in the blurb--"new series"--means a sequel. Don’t stop reading early because the ending has a big surprise.
April 2, 2025
A classic western with the lawless periode, the shootouts and the cowboy slang.
Jesse, the main character, is hired by the railroad company as a scout to help find the best route for railroad construction. As it is the beginning of winter, work is suspended for a few months. The story, therefore, is not about the railroad construction, but rather about Jesse. While waiting for work to resume, he helps the sheriff of Chayenne, who must manage the influx of people into his town.
He's a tough guy who tries to resolve conflicts peacefully, but doesn't hesitate to resort to lethal force if necessary, without a hint of remorse. As he gains reputation, he attracts the attention of villains and finds himself involved in numerous duels and fights. There is action, but also long periods of conversation and descriptions of daily life at that time.
It was an enjoyable read, but it could use some editing. Sometimes, from one sentence to the next, the point of view changes without any real transition. So you have to deduce who's with you in the story.
Thank You to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the eARC
Jesse, the main character, is hired by the railroad company as a scout to help find the best route for railroad construction. As it is the beginning of winter, work is suspended for a few months. The story, therefore, is not about the railroad construction, but rather about Jesse. While waiting for work to resume, he helps the sheriff of Chayenne, who must manage the influx of people into his town.
He's a tough guy who tries to resolve conflicts peacefully, but doesn't hesitate to resort to lethal force if necessary, without a hint of remorse. As he gains reputation, he attracts the attention of villains and finds himself involved in numerous duels and fights. There is action, but also long periods of conversation and descriptions of daily life at that time.
It was an enjoyable read, but it could use some editing. Sometimes, from one sentence to the next, the point of view changes without any real transition. So you have to deduce who's with you in the story.
Thank You to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the eARC
August 21, 2025
There is no such thing as a bad Johnstone western. Each series is built around main characters whose belief in the law and family is absolute, even if they've had to be reformed to get there. From Preacher, the original mountain man to the Jensen family to Perly Gates, to.....well, you get the point. Many times, characters from one series will show up in another as supporting hands. The communities are true to the era, clothing, guns, food and troubles are all what you'd find if you looked them up in the history books. No two stories are the same, each character or set of characters is unique and so are their stories. The writing is skillful, readers are pulled into the story and you will laugh and cry right along with the characters. I made the mistake of picking up a Johnstone western my uncle was reading. Ive been hooked ever since. Now I share them with my reading family and will continue as long as new Johnstones are released.
July 5, 2025
Derringer by William W. Johnstone
Derringer was a pleasant enough read, though it definitely followed a familiar formula. It has all the staples of a classic Western—gunfights, tough-talking characters, and dusty saloons—but it didn’t really bring anything new to the table. The action scenes were fine, but they never felt especially high stakes, and for most of the book, the characters stayed pretty flat. It wasn’t until the very end that we saw any real development.
That said, I didn’t dislike the book. It kind of felt like watching an old TV Western you've seen a few times—comforting, predictable, and easy to get through. If you're a fan of Westerns and just looking for something light to read between more intense books, Derringer might be worth picking up
Derringer was a pleasant enough read, though it definitely followed a familiar formula. It has all the staples of a classic Western—gunfights, tough-talking characters, and dusty saloons—but it didn’t really bring anything new to the table. The action scenes were fine, but they never felt especially high stakes, and for most of the book, the characters stayed pretty flat. It wasn’t until the very end that we saw any real development.
That said, I didn’t dislike the book. It kind of felt like watching an old TV Western you've seen a few times—comforting, predictable, and easy to get through. If you're a fan of Westerns and just looking for something light to read between more intense books, Derringer might be worth picking up
February 7, 2025
You can always expect a great western from the Johnstones, and this one is no exception. We meet a new protagonist whose job is to ‘grease the wheels’ as the railroad (and nation) move west. Although his methods may be atypical, his results are without question. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
October 2, 2025
A new character whose name is Derringer. Hired by the railroad to stop trouble before it happens, he is also there after the trouble happens. The story has fights in saloons and outside, along with gunfights. For the most part, all the makings of a good western, and that is what it is, a good story with good characters.
September 15, 2025
Good story.
I was curious about the story after seeing the title. I enjoyed the story. I'm looking forward to how Jesse helps with the railroad in further books.
I was curious about the story after seeing the title. I enjoyed the story. I'm looking forward to how Jesse helps with the railroad in further books.
October 3, 2025
This is everything I love in a Western. I reckon, William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone are the best western storytellers actively writing.
December 30, 2025
Book ran somewhat slow in the beginning then picked up but those slow parts could be somewhat tedious to read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews