Mr Smith to You

A novel based on the true story of Australian jockey Bill Smith - a life lived in secret.

By: Kerry Taylor

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Paperback | 13 October 2025

At a Glance

Paperback
304 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
23.5 x 15.3 x 2.9

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$55.75

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A novel based on the true story of Australian jockey Bill Smith – a life lived in secret.

For most of his 76 years, Bill Smith preferred solitude over socialising, horses over people and confidentiality over confidantes. As a jockey, he was known for always turning up already fully kitted out in his silks. But now, in his advancing years, a fall lands him in full-time care and it becomes impossible to maintain his privacy. Nurse Maureen Bannon resents having to look after ‘the geries’, especially grumpy old buggers like Mr Smith, but when she discovers Bill’s secret an unlikely alliance is formed. Bill was assigned female at birth, a fact that shaped his life but never limited his ambition.

With Mr Smith’s health declining and time running out, Maureen wants to find someone who knows and loves him, but only one name seems to mean anything to Bill – Catherine, his first love. Can Maureen find out more to help Bill find peace?

Mr Smith to You is a beautiful and tender novel about identity and a powerful testament to kindness and the human spirit.

About the Author

Originally from Sydney, Kerry’s life so far has been as unpredictable as it has varied – not unlike Bill Smith’s. After a career teaching in suburban schools, a holiday to Central Australia changed the direction of her life. Kerry became a nurse, researcher and academic focused on Indigenous health and is published widely in the field. Another change of direction now sees Kerry enjoying new passions of rowing on the Murray River and walking and photographing the coastlines of the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. Mr Smith to You is her first novel.

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