Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Derringer

Rate this book
If seven-year-old Roy Stone had done what his Ma told him to, he’d never have known the truth of what happened at all. He’d never have seen the double-cross, never have witnessed the murders, never seen the killer’s blowed-apart finger. But the poor kid saw the whole rotten thing, and watched his mother die on the floor. "I'm going to kill you," little Roy cried at the killer – but Big Jim only laughed with contempt.But that little boy meant what he said – and what's more, he believed it.He would grow up and kill that big man. That was all that now mattered.An action-packed western with a hint of romance, from the pen of J.V. James – and more double-crosses than you can shake a Winchester at.

378 pages, Paperback

Published January 13, 2020

1010 people are currently reading
22 people want to read

About the author

J.V. James

10 books7 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
527 (57%)
4 stars
270 (29%)
3 stars
85 (9%)
2 stars
26 (2%)
1 star
13 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
1,249 reviews23 followers
Read
January 25, 2020
THE MISSING PINKIE

Another bullying incident event in the old West. Young Roy Stone born to a working girl in a saloon owned by a brutish Big Jim Starr. His mother Angelina Stone loved her son and he loved his Mother. Evidently Angelina was a money maker for Big Jim Starr, the Pimp. He was a huge man and many folks were afraid of him and the town's hierarchy ignored his saloon outwardly, but the men paid many visits. Angelina meets a nice rancher who lived her and little Joe with all his heart. Big Jim Starr would let Angelina leave for five thousand dollars. Reese Scott sold everything he owned to raise the money. He shows up at Big Jim's saloon "Lucky Starr Saloon" to pay for Angelina 's freedom and doggone if it didn't go bad, Big Jim wanted more in fact double the amount, what a nice guy!!Of course Scott Reese couldn't get anymore money, which Big Jim knew, his excuse was that Angelina was worth MORE, and he would lose at least ten thousand dollars. Now it's on, Scott Reese and Big Jim Starr grab leather, but Big Jim was quicker, poor Scott was dead before he hit the floor, Angelina screams as she shoots Big Jim Starr with her four shot "Sharps Derringer" the shoot off Big Jim's pinkie finger and he in turn shoots Angelina in the chest. Now her son Roy is in the her closet and witnesses this horror. He erupts out of the closet goes to his mother's side and she tells him how much she loves him and dies. Roy looks up at Big Jim Starr and screams that he will kill him for shooting his Mother..what a mess!!
Years pass and we find Roy Stone on his way to Custer City, Iowa. He's riding in a stagecoach and one of the passengers is Miss. Charlotte Hawke, a paid for bride, at least that's what she thinks. But Roy knows better, lots of young women are fooled into thinking that they are getting married, but realistically these men are really "Pimps" increase their "stable." Now these poor women are indebted to these men, of course they are NEVER able to pay off this debt..human trafficking..indentured slaves..what a hot 🔥🔥mess💀💀!!
Roy Stone makes a living gambling and he's pretty good. What he's doing is searching for Big Jim Starr whose now using an alias name. Big Jim Starr physical looks have also changed, but he wears a gloves, I wonder why, could it be he's hiding something???..
Listen folks you need to read "The Derringer" it's full of mystery folks. It's has so many questions and your not getting answers , but it's worth it.
Enjoy how Roy Stone out maneuvers these hard living drinkers who are also "Gifters" to discover who Joe Brand, owner of "The Golden Nugget Saloon really is????
Profile Image for Jeff Benham.
1,724 reviews12 followers
July 5, 2021
Roy lost his mother when he was 7. She was a soiled dove, but was about to get married to someone who would take her away from that. She and her fiancé were shot by Big Jim Starr, but not before she shot off one of his fingers with her derringer. He was raised mostly by some of the other soiled doves and the man who would have been his grandfather. He promised Big Jim that he would kill him one day. Now he is 22. Riding all over the country, practicing with the derringer his grandfather gave him and learning all there is to know about gambling halls. On the stage coach Roy meets Charlotte. She is on her way to Deadwood to get married, or so she thinks. The man she is to marry doesn't even exist. Jim Starr, now called Joe Brand has plans to make big money off of Charlotte. Can Roy stop him, without getting himself killed?
199 reviews2 followers
July 20, 2021
Roy had a plan his whole life ever since he was a young boy can he do it?

Jim Starr murdered Roy's mother and her fiance in Cold blood and Roy promised he would kill him someday in revenge. Roy traveled all over the West looking for Starr but he hadn't found him yet. When Roy got on the coach stage for Custer City this young lady got on with everybody the name of Charlotte hawk. The stage was robbed twice and the first time Roy didn't get a shot at any of the robbers very well as he was sitting on the box at the top of the stage. But the second robbery he got two men one through the eye and one through the chest. Curly was the guard on the stagecoach and he did himself proud with the first robbery the second not so well until it came to the last man left and took him out easily.
994 reviews10 followers
April 1, 2020
QUEST FOR REVENGE, POKER, LOVE

J.V. James gets 5 STARS for this action packed high talking fast paced Old West drama that gives great representations of Saloons, poker games, & cat houses, plus gunslingers. You find Excitement, Entertainment, & Enjoyment from The Derringer. That's about all a reader can look for in a book, except remembering & this one does have that I am definitely going to reread this one some day quality.
Profile Image for tina m gervasio quisito.
48 reviews2 followers
May 10, 2021
A darn fine read for sure and for certain

J.V. James exceeds himself in this fine western tale.
"Roy knew it for sure and for certain. Rules of stagecoaches always work fine, right up 'til a woman steps on board. Then the whole dang thing goes awry." With that paragraph you're on a wild rollicking ride, J.V. James weaves a story as full of twists and turns as a wild West stagecoach ride! Another great tale by a master if western lore!
404 reviews4 followers
September 19, 2023
You never quite know whereJVJames is going to take you!?!?

Quite the story and it takes you on many journeys. Not several but many things are answered at the end! Roy seeks revenge of his mother and her soon to be husband. Both were shot by Jim Starr (what a creep!) So glad the man’s father that came to town for his son’s death did not leave little Roy but embraced him as his grandson. Lots of surprises and answers at the end.
Profile Image for Bob.
556 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2021
Good Story

And well written. This is a western with a moral - as many are. But this one isn't in your face, you have to look for it some. Mr. Rountree speaks prose with hidden meanings.

Read the book to puzzle out what he says. There's more to it thank what he says.

Thanks, Mr. James.
437 reviews5 followers
September 15, 2023
The Derringer

There was a lot of drama and action packed scenes throughout this book! Definitely a must read for excitement and lots of fun parts and sad ones too! This book has you captured from the first page, so don't miss this one! Should be tagged for audience from 18yrs!
Profile Image for Mike Bradford.
350 reviews
May 2, 2021
Great Book

Really enjoyed this book and characters
The storyline was well written and woven together
I would highly recommend this book. The story was so entertaining that I could not wait to turn the page.
87 reviews1 follower
May 31, 2021
A delightful story

It will keep you entertained and always guessing. The characters become more individual, the plot more involved, the outcome less sure and each revelation a small puzzle piece falling into place. A fun read.
Profile Image for Anthony R Woods.
695 reviews3 followers
September 27, 2021
The Derringer

A word can have many meanings. Small gun, small man, BIG heart. Roy was all of those things and more. He was a protector, A son getting revenge on the man who killed his Ma. A man falling in love with a beautiful lady and became her protector.
181 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2020
Roy witnessed Big Jim murder his mother and the man she loved. Roy was only 7 years old but was determined to kill Big Jim. Roy was small in stature but clever in the ways of the world as he used his skills and determination to seek revenge. There is action of all kinds with many twists and turns as the story evolves as Roy finds Big Jim and finally gets his revenge. Throughout the story Roy makes new friends and finds his own true love. He was teased throughout his life because he was small but he overcame adversity to stand tall in his mastery of life events.

An interesting and active western story. J V James is an excellent story teller.

164 reviews
January 11, 2020
Good Story

I read Fyre, then Wolf Town. I just had to read Derringer and was not disappointed. Good characters, plausible plot, humor and action.
222 reviews7 followers
February 23, 2020
Interesting story.

J.V. James tells a good story. Kept me interested. I liked it. I give it four stars as there is always room for improvement.
36 reviews
May 13, 2020
Well written story!

Kept me in suspense! I enjoyed all the characters! Different from the books I usually read, but well written! I could not put it down.
22 reviews2 followers
February 6, 2021
Masterpiece

Well crafted with ingenious plot. A true treasure!
I hope we have many more coming. Give your Pa a handshake for us.
260 reviews
March 21, 2021
Long

Had a hard time staying interested in this story. The author kept a train of thought going on and on.
43 reviews
June 5, 2021
Not the best!

The book seemed almost childish at times. I had to force myself to finish at times. At least the epilogue was included with a happy ending.
Profile Image for velma lou.
313 reviews
August 14, 2021
Hero

I really enjoyed this book. I’m especially fond of heros what great story telling. Felt like I was right there
107 reviews
February 3, 2025
Great book!!!

I enjoyed this book greatly. Hood book very fast moving and a great story line. I will read as many books by this either as I can find.
265 reviews1 follower
December 21, 2019
Persistence Wins

This tale of revenge is typical of the Old West, where grudges were usually settled with guns. Action and romance combine to make a good story!
719 reviews4 followers
December 15, 2019
The Derringer

This was a good read that gives you the ability to follow both sides of a town take over and the way it was turned around.
859 reviews2 followers
December 7, 2019
Historical Western

The Derringer by J. V. James. Entertaining, a western with humor? Yes a bit of humor and western drama. The suspense will keep you turning the pages as well as the mystery. You will be happy with the ending. Loved this book.
567 reviews5 followers
November 29, 2019
The Derringer

Roy had spent his life with one goal - find the man who killed his mother. She had loved him very much and left him with that memory, and then he had the other memory of watching that man kill her. Yep, he'd search until he find him, and make him pay. This was a good old fashioned western for those of us who live to read them. It kept me on the edge of my seat. 👏👏BRAVO 👏👏BRAVO!!!!
Profile Image for Linda.
503 reviews7 followers
November 29, 2019
Awesome read

This book was absolutely fantastic with great characters and superb action. Wil be waiting for another one of your awesome books. Would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a great western story
3,198 reviews26 followers
October 28, 2019
A JVJ. Western Action Adventure (TD)

JVJ. has penned a western action adventure that begins when a young boy witnesses his Mother being murder by an ex con man that his bother said to look elsewhere. Years later the boy becomes a middling cowboy that has learned to be fair handed when dealing with a killers. He follows a young girl who had been conned west to become a harlot. The young man rescues her. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
Profile Image for Casey.
1,537 reviews6 followers
November 12, 2019
Fascinating!

There are a couple of really unexpected twists that add a great deal!
From avoiding the lady to coming to the end of his search in more ways than one expects, our hero stays true.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.