My crime/mystery fiction is written under the name DH Smith. Under this name I have written the Jack of All Trades series, its main character Jack Bell. You will find a list of books in the series here, including those already written and upcoming releases.
In 2013, I decided I would write a series of crime novels. I did not want to write a police procedural or have a private eye as the main character. So I needed someone who worked in a variety of places where murders would happen. During my research I noted a number of other authors of crime novels had gone this way too, and used as main characters a cleaner, a realtor, and a florist. My choice was a builder. In the course of his job he goes to different sites, interacting with the people there, which become the setting and the cast for each book.
I decided to set the novels in the area of the East End of London where I live. I live in Forest Gate which is in Newham, one of London’s 32 boroughs. The advantage of this is that I can walk the streets, and look at houses and other places where my builder might work. Local readers like a setting they know, but I have taken care not to so pepper the books with local references that those who don’t know the area feel left out.
The novels have the same main character, Jack Bell. Wherever he works there is at least one murder. This is, to say the least, unlikely, and, if it were anywhere near real, he would soon get no clients. But this is fiction, which is a game between writer and reader, in which the reader chooses not to be bothered by the body count.
Most small builders don’t have all the building skills, and Jack is no exception. He is primarily a carpenter but has picked up other skills. He can do basic electrics, he is a nervous bricklayer, and can only go so far as a plumber. There are times when he has a go himself, perhaps not too wisely, and times he has to call other tradesmen in. Problems often arise on site, either to do with the job itself, the employer being difficult or Jack at the limit of his skills.
There is romantic interest in each novel. Jack is divorced, but has a daughter, 10 years old in the first novel, which complicates his personal life. His divorce came about because of depression which led to heavy drinking. Alison, his then wife, kicked him out. He had a period on the streets before straightening out with the help of Alcohol Halt, a more secular group than AA. At the start of the first book, he has been dry for a year.
He lives in Forest Gate in the East End of London where I live myself. He grew up in Plaistow, a couple of miles away. He mostly works locally, and has a van with Jack of All Trades painted on both sides. It is a trade name that he regrets, but with the van painted up, a website and stationery printed – he has learnt to live with it. And, as he says, it is at least memorable.
Jack didn’t do well at school, but is sharp and quick to learn. His job involves a variety of skills, above the obvious manual ones. A builder must be able to estimate materials for the job, measure up, handle money, and deal with on site problems involving the work and his various employers. Aside from his work, Jack has developed an interest in astronomy and has a telescope. It is his delight to go out on dark, winter nights and look at the stars. An interest not always shared by his girlfriends.
The latest list of books is here.
Derek Smith 
I thought Jack of all trades is a great book, had me guessing right to the end, would reccomend.
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Thanks, Cyril for your comment on Jack of All Trades. Please accept my apology for this late, very late reply. I only realised this morning I had comments on my website, going back a year. Yes, a year! I am replying and being very apologetic as we go further back in time. And I am sure the sender has totally forgotten they sent a comment. As you probably have.
Good Reading!
Derek
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I am currently working my way through the Jack Bell series and I love it.. I’m on Book 3 and have the rest awaiting my attention!! Have you plans to do more? I do hope so!
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Glad you’re enjoying the series, Louise. Six books are available in the Jack of All Trades series currently. I have written three more. The next, Jack Recalled, will be out in October. Some old business comes back to haunt Jack when a couple of bodies are dug up in Epping Forest. You may recall how that happened from Jack of Spades. You might wish to sign up to my newsletter which will keep you in touch with information on the series, including new releases. Here’s the link.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the series.
Derek
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I was a bit skeptical as to whether I would enjoy this… I have to say I loved it and I’m looking forward to the next.
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I’m glad I overcame your scepticism, Michelle. I can see why you had reservations; a male builder, will it appeal to women? Well, I have to make him a believable builder, so there is some work stuff, but not so much that I smother the story and characters. I’m aiming with each of the novels in the series to tell a tight story that will hold the reader to the end. I hope you enjoy the next one too.
Derek
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Great books psyched about the next instalment- Jack Bell is an interesting man, a simple man if I may be so blunt, just trying to earn a crust.. great reads – pull the reader right in! In my opinion anyways! I hope there are many more to come!! Great job Mr Smith, great job!
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A simple man, I’ll go with that, trying to earn a living, which I hope is part of his appeal. He has to find work, and get on with difficult employers. And things happen, which make the story. Six are published so far. Jack Recalled will be published in October. There will be at least two more, and I’m scratching my head for the one after.
Good reading!
Derek
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Really enjoyed Jack of all trades. Read it in one day. I am a little upset that your books are only on kindle. I do not have that reader. I got this in the iBook format. Am I out of luck to be able to get the rest of your books in format that I can read? Please let me know if you publish in iBooks.
Avid reader
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Thank you for your comment, Rose. Only Jack of All Trades is published in iBooks, I’m afraid. If you have a tablet you can download the Amazon driver and get the other books. Though I have been thinking of publishing the other titles on other platforms. And you’ve given me a reminder. I don’t like to upset readers, especially avid one, so I will seriously consider this.
Good Reading!
Derek
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Dear Rose
You wrote to me on my site that only the first in the Jack of All Trades was available in i-books. I am pleased to tell you that is no longer true. Jack of All Trades Books 1-4 is now available on i-books (and B&N and Kobo). And at a good price too, $5.99. It includes the one you’ve read, Jack of All Trades, but the next three in series too (Jack of Spades, Jack o’Lantern and Jack by the Hedge). That’s $2 each, cheaper than Amazon where they for $3.99 each. Later this year, I shall publish another set on i-books (and Kobo and B&N), namely books 5 – 8, which means they all 8 out on these sites too. The reason they are not published individually is down to my contract with Amazon. I cannot publish them elsewhere individually but I can as sets.
Best Wishes
Derek
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How can i get your book before I go to Canada next week, as my cousin is mad on them and needs me to bring the latest book as he cannot wait any longer? Gavin
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