What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedDerringer
William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone · Book
If you loved Derringer, start with Open Range (Kevin Costner, 2003) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Derringer across media.
What hooked you in Derringer was the way the uncompromising pursuit of justice forces individuals to confront the untamed frontier.
Films on the same thread
Once Upon a Time in the West
Film · 1968
Explores: Revenge, The decline of the Old West, Greed.
Like Derringer, this epic captures the inevitable collision between the encroaching railroad and the raw landscape, emphasizing how industrialization shifts the definition of order in the American West.
My Darling Clementine
John Ford · Film · 1946
Explores: Revenge, Law and Order vs. Frontier Justice, Brotherhood.
Fans of Derringer will appreciate this classic study of morality, which mirrors the tension between established law and the personal, vigilante justice required to settle accounts in remote territories.
Open Range
Kevin Costner · Film · 2003
Explores: Redemption, Justice vs. Law, Moral Code.
If you enjoyed the grit of Derringer, this story of a former gunslinger standing his ground against corruption highlights the same need for a moral code in lawless regions.
Tombstone
George P. Cosmatos · Film · 1993
Shares a thread with Derringer: Frontier Justice.
Much like the protagonist in Derringer, the men in this film must navigate the fragile balance between peace and chaos while enforcing their own version of justice in town.
Series on the same thread
1883
Taylor Sheridan · Series · 2021
Explores: Manifest Destiny, Pioneer Life, Immigration to the West.
This series reflects the same harsh reality of frontier expansion found in Derringer, detailing the relentless struggle for survival that defines those pushing into the heart of the wilderness.
Bonanza
David Dortort · Series · 1959
Shares a thread with Derringer: frontier justice.
The commitment to community defense and frontier justice that drives the plot of Derringer is central to this series, showcasing the weight of maintaining order on the rugged frontier.
Yellowstone
Taylor Sheridan · Series · 2018
Explores: Land Disputes, Family Loyalty, Wealth and Power.
Similar to the protective nature of the hero in Derringer, this modern saga examines the violent lengths a family will go to defend their land against constant outside threats.
Dexter: Resurrection
Clyde Phillips · Series · 2025
Explores: Father-Son Relationship, Redemption, Past Sins.
While set in a modern context, the search for redemption and the heavy burden of past sins will resonate with readers who enjoyed the complex moral landscape of Derringer.
Podcasts on the same thread
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
Those fascinated by the small-town dynamics and dark secrets of the frontier in Derringer will enjoy this deep dive into the tragic and often brutal realities of isolated communities.
Jocko Podcast
Jocko DEFCOR Network · Podcast · 2026
Explores: discipline, stoicism, accountability.
The themes of accountability and stoic discipline that underpin the actions of the hero in Derringer are explored here through the lens of leadership, war, and everyday life choices.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Derringer a standalone book?
Derringer is a novel by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone that follows Jesse Derringer as he is sent to the Dakota Territory in 1867. The provided information does not list any sequels or series connections for this title.
What is the setting of Derringer?
The story of Derringer takes place in 1867 within the remote mountains of the Dakota Territory. Jesse Derringer is dispatched to this location by the Union Pacific Railroad to address and stop rising trouble in the region.
Who is the main character in Derringer?
The main character in Derringer is Jesse Derringer. He is employed by the Union Pacific Railroad to travel to the remote mountains of the Dakota Territory during the year 1867 to handle conflicts and restore order.
What is the primary conflict in Derringer?
In Derringer, the primary conflict involves Jesse Derringer being sent by the Union Pacific Railroad to resolve trouble occurring in the remote mountains of the Dakota Territory. The mission centers on his efforts to stop this unrest in 1867.