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

One thing about Westerns that I love so much, is that they always have such dynamic characters, and Derringer did not disappoint me. Derringer is our main character and he's having a tough go at it. He's a morally gray man who has been hired for a Railroad company. We follow him on his journey as a Scout and how he survives the West during the 1800's. The plot was intriguing, although I found the writing a little clunky at times, it was still an enjoyable read.

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.

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.

This is a definite winner of a book for the Johnstones. Following a man name Derringer is a little unusual especially when he doesn’t us the pocket pistol, preferring his Henry rifle. Starts with him being a Army scout in the Wyoming Territory. From there he becomes a private scout for the Union Pacific RR as it makes tracks westward.

But there is not much to the railroad part of the story. It is much more focused on interpersonal relations with cooks, wait staff, sheriff’s office etc. he is a big man who is very good at defending himself and his friends. At one point he becomes a temporary deputy. These good deeds gets a target on his back but no one has been successful in challenging him. Derringer grown larger than life in the story.

There are some interesting and near romantic moments in the storyline. It was a fun read and one I’d recommend to any Western reader.

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.