Welcome to the website of Derek Smith. I write under two names. My crime/mystery fiction is written under the name DH Smith. Under this name I have written the Jack of All Trades series, with the main character Jack Bell. Under the name Derek Smith I have written fantasy, short stories and poetry for adults, and books for older and younger children.
All of my books are on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. The Jack of All Trades series is also available on: B&N, Apple Books, Kobo, and Google Play.
You can sign up to my newsletter here.
Derek Smith 
Enjoyed ” Jack of all trades ” for me it was the places he visited and lived because I was born in Forest Gate . Nice characters to absurd and think about while reading . I’ve a connection to Jack because I’m a alcoholic and can image he’s struggles and desire to stay sober . I’m glad to have found him .
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Glad you enjoyed the book, Colin, and appreciate the Forest Gate connection. There’s five in the series now with the six due out in a few weeks. All but one happen in Forest Gate. Take a look at my next newsletter, there’s something for you in it, coming in a couple of days. I won’t say what, just that you’ll like it.
Best Wishes
Derek
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So fed up with watching films and reading books about Americans, the FBI etc single handedly saving the world, whilst using profanity every other word to entice interest Thoroughly enjoyed Jack of all trades, good old fashioned intrigue, murder, character without having to wade through pages of swear words.
A must read, easily picking up where leaving off, if one doesn’t manage to finish a chapter.
The ease of reading, misled me into the actual plot, and a bit disappointed in the end, not with the book, but I was thinking things might have turned out different. I guess that’s the romantic in me, but really enjoyed the book.
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Glad you enjoyed the book, Warren. Jack doesn’t do very well in the love stakes. Not so good for Jack
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Just finished ‘Jack of All Trades ‘,very enjoyable read, loved the characters and the plot. Looking forward to reading the next instalment.
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I’m glad you liked the book and the characters. My books are a slow burn, so it has to be the characters that grab you before murder(s) happens. Sorry I’m so late in replying but I didn’t realise I was getting comments on my website, so now I’m replying to them all as we authors need readers.
I hope you like the next one too!
Derek
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good read i couldnt work out the killer till the lastf few chapters
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Glad the whodunnit wasn’t obvious, and that you liked the book. Sorry for a tardy reply but I didn’t realise I was getting comments through the website. There’s five in the series now, and by mid March there’ll be six.
Good Reading!
Derek
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I really loved your book Jack of all Trades. Thank you for letting me read it for free!! I couldn’t stop reading it, till the end xx
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I’m glad you enjoyed the book, and it hooked you to the end. My apologies for a tardy reply but I didn’t realise I was getting comments on my website. I’ve now altered the settings so I am notified when I get one. You can get the second one free if you sign up to mailing list, if you haven’t done already. The link is at the end of the book.
Best Wishes
Derek
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Really enjoyed your book it was funny and a very enjoyable read
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a thoroughly enjoyable read. Can’t recommend highly enough.BH
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Thank you, Barry. I’m glad you enjoyed the book. And I hope you enjoy the others as much. I have only just realised I was getting comments on my site, and so am catching up. Apologies for my tardy reply, but I’ve now set the settings so I am notified when I get a comment. There’s a new Jack coming out in March, Jack on the Tower. So there’ll be six to enjoy.
Good Reading
Derek
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Hi,
i do not want my email in box clogged up with over 40 emails from you.
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Truly enjoyed this book. I had to keep guessing who the murderer was. I was hanging on until the end. 😊
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Glad you enjoyed the book, Candi. I assume you mean the first in the series, so that’s another five still to be read. I hope you enjoy those too!
DH Smith
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Jack of All Trades was a very entertaining and British (unusually) book. Well plotted and well written. I will look forward to reading the others in the series.
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Thank you, Brian. I hope you enjoy the second book in the series, Jack of Spades, as much.
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Thank you. I really enjoyed the book . Read it from start to finish in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down.
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And thank you, Glynis. I do like to hear from readers, especially if they enjoyed reading one of my books. If they didn’t, that can be painful. You have five more in the series to read, and enjoy (I hope). Tell me about the next in the series too!
Derek
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Enjoyed reading Jack of all Trades.A little different from my usual reading, but enjoyble.
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It’s always good to win someone over, Winnie. My main character is unusual. In crime stories, the main characters are usually cops or private eyes, especially in series. But I’ve got a builder, even so I’ve still got to tell a good story and engage my reader. I hope you enjoy the other books too.
Derek
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Just finished Jack in the Box, having read all the others in the series. Loved the twist at the end. Totally unexpected!
Looking forward to the next ones in the series and now I must try Murder at any Price.
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Glad you enjoyed Jack in the Box, Mike. You’ve one left to catch up with me, Jack on the Tower. Though in October the 7th in the series will be out, Jack Recalled. In this book, two bodies are found in Epping Forest, you may recall how they got their from Jack of Spades, and Jack is in trouble.
Derek
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Just finished ‘Jack in the Tower’ what a great series and I’m chomping at the but for the next one ‘Jack Recalled’ in october….. is it October yet? Well done great books!
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Glad you have enjoyed the series so far, Louise. Sorry about the wait, but I’ve some rewriting to do, though it’s going well. Without wishing summer away, October isn’t that far away. Though if you are on my mailing list, you will certainly be reminded when Jack Recalled is published.
Derek
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Thanks for your reply – yes I’m on the list and cannot wait.. I wish you the best of luck Derek thanks again x
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Good read kept the suspense up well
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Glad you enjoyed it, Dana.
Derek
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Enjoyed Jack of All Trades. The penny dropped with the clue of the dead father. Couldnt wait till Jack figured out what he was going to do with her.
Enjoyed the ending, but it was very abrupt, could have done with another page. I will buy the series without the cliffhanger.
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Glad you enjoyed the book, Martin. It’s always tricky to know when to stop. I go for the point when I think the story is over and I’ve nothing more to say. But that’s personal to me and for the reader too. A page between us, well that’s not a lot. Hope I’m closer next time.
Derek
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Derek, I have just finished Jack Recalled & what a great read it is. Ive left a review on Amazon. Can’t wait for the next installment. Keep up the good work.
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That’s really good to hear, David. You are first one to read it, other than me and my daughter, Lia. And I am really glad it works. Next one won’t be till 2018. Sorry to keep you waiting, but I think you’ll like it. Thanks for the review. Allways appreciated.
Derek
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I read lots of free books on kindle. Most are pretty poor, some dreadful. Out of the last hundred, yours is the second best. Good characters,plot and quite well written. Really enjoyed it. Congratulations. No specific suggestions. Good,workmanlike job.
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Thank you, Dave. I aim to write a good story with good characters, so it’s good to get reader approval. I agree with you about free books. Lots are pretty poor. Self publishing is very easy these days, too easy, so the bad tends to smother the good. I know readers who have been so turned off by bad free books, that they won’t try them anymore, which is a pity for those of us trying to get some attention this way.
There are seven now in the Jack of All Trades series. The first is permafree and the second is free if you join my list. They are my loss leaders, in the hope that readers will like the series enough they’ll be happy to buy the others. A simply strategy.
Best of luck with your hunt among the free books!
Derek
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I have just finished Jack of all trades, well, this was quite different from the norm but must say I was totally hooked and couldn’t put it down and will definitely be reading the series.
I must compliment you on your style of writing as you make your readers feel that they actually know the characters involved which I find very refreshing. Keep up the good work while I am busy getting engrossed in reading the complete series. Very impressed reader.
With thanks from Sandy
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Glad you enjoyed the first of the series, Sandy. You have 6 more to get on with. This time of year can be a long grind, so a good time to get engrossed in a book. I try to tell a good story with interesting characters. My aim is to involve the reader. I look upon writing a book as creating a game between writer and reader. I have to get the reader to play, and then keep playing, as they have plenty of other things to do, by staying a step or two ahead and keeping the page by page interesting. Glad it worked for you.
Derek
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Hi Derek, I just finished Jack at Death’s Door. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But that comes as no surprise as I have enjoyed all the Jack of all Trades books as well as some of your other books and stories. I wasn’t aware Death’s Door had come out until I just happened to do a search under dh smith on Amazon. I have always depended on your monthly newsletter to keep me up to date on new books. And that made me realize I haven’t received a newsletter from you in quite awhile. I hope you haven’t discontinued it because you always share such interesting tidbits. So what’s the scoop on the newsletter?
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Dear Joe
I send out my newsletter every month and haven’t stopped. And if you had received it you would have been informed in the last two that Jack at Death’s Door was soon to be published. So you obviously never received it. Either it’s been going into your spam tray or I culled you by accident. I have been getting rid of subscribers who never opened a newsletter, so it’s possible I made a mistake with yours. The last thing I want to do is cull loyal readers. So please accept my apology. I shall put you back on the list.
The next to come out Jack at the Gate is due out in November. Too early for you to remember, but you’ll get reminders nearer the date. And oh yes, I’m glad you enjoyed Jack8. Good Reading!
Derek
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I recently downloaded the first Jack of all trades as a free book and found it a thoroughly good read so I took a punt and purchased the rest of the books in the series and read them back to back while on holiday recently.
I found them all very engaging, looking forward to the release of Jack at the gate.
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I’m glad you enjoyed the series, Ian, as it was quite a risk for you going from a free book to buying the whole series, eight so far. I could have written one good book and the rest rubbish. But I didn’t, and I’m glad you agree. Jack at the Gate will be out in October. I am currently doing a final edit, then it goes to my beta reader (my daughter, Lia), to make sure it’s up to standard. If it is, then it is proofread, if not I will have to do some rerewriting. I think it’s pretty good though: some good detective work for Jack, some romance, some danger too. On timetable for October.
All the best
Derek
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Mr. Smith: LOVE your Jack books. Please write faster!
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I’m glad you enjoy my books, Anne, but as for your complaint, it’s the second time I’ve had it this week. And sadly there’s not much I can do much about it. First I need a good idea, then I have to develop the characters and setting. And only then can I get down to the writing the book. I do though have a new book, Jack at the Gate, coming out in three weeks which I hope is not too long for you to wait. You could sign up to my mailing list which is at: http://eepurl.com/buAh5H
That’ll keep you in touch with my books coming out, what I’m doing, bargains and freebies, and how fast or slow I am writing.
Best Wishes
Derek
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Very enjoyable couldn’t wait to turn the page totally engaged from start to finish
jack of Spades is the first book of yours I have read looking forward to reading the
Rest
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Glad you enjoyed Jack of Spades, Ray. There’s eight more in the series, the last Jack at the Gate was published last month. Jack Recalled picks up on some unfinished business in Jack of Spades, giving Jack a very hard time. Enjoy the ride.
Derek
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Great Book. Couldn’t put it dowm
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Always glad to hear such comments, Mike. We writers have quite thin skins and praise works wonders. I note you’ve just joined the mailing list which gives you the second book in the series, Jack of Spades. I hope you find that a good read too. Do tell me when you’ve finished it.
Derek
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Just finished Jack of all trades. I loved the plot and characters. This book kept me up all night because I couldn’t put it down and it was worth it! I didn’t figure out the killer either which was a first for me, which added to the enjoyment of the book. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series! Great work Mr. Smith!
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Thank you, Karen. Sorry if you lost some sleep, but glad you considered it worthwhile. Plot and characters really matter and you needs some surprises on the way. In the second in the series, Jack of Spades, Jack gets in real trouble. It’s what comes of being too helpful, well in crime books anyway.
Derek
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Enjoyed the mystery, some of it was a bit unsettling. Will read the next to see how it goes. Love reading British and the British English as opposed to American English. My mother was born and raised in an African British colony, Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.
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Glad you enjoyed it, Nancy, and hope you weren’t too unsettled. Though the crime genre can be an uneasy ride as inevitably there are unsavoury people. Jack of All Trades was the first book in the series, the second is Jack of Spades but they are all stand alone reads. I hope you enjoy the next one too.
Derek
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Hi from US. Absolutly loved Jack of all Trades. So glad I found you! Noticed that most of the comments were from males..think this works for everyone. I read on NOOK, but I will do a review on Amazon too. Best to you!
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Thank you, Linda. I am glad you enjoyed Joats. And yes, the book is for everyone. There’s good female characters as well as the males. I know I have plenty of women readers too. I look forward to your review and hope you enjoy the next in the series.
Derek Smith
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Stumbled onto “Jack” and really enjoyed his exploits, adventures and misadventures…a good guy who bumbles….easy to identify with. Looking forward to more, thanks.
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Glad you enjoyed Jack. There’s 12 so far, a 13th due in October and I’m working on another. He’s
more of a sleuth these days but still getting into lots of trouble, both romantically and with the law.
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Really enjoyed this book & looking forward to reading more
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Glad you enjoyed it, Lorraine. There’s 12 more, and I think they get better, but you should never believe an author about his books!
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Read almost all the Jack Of All Trades novels. Bra book series I ‘ve followed ages. Have really become invested in the characters and the fact that the plots take place in area I love I’m keeps me hooked
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Glad you are enjoying them, Chris. There’s more to come.
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