The Jade God · Character

Mr. John Derrick

The novelist who takes Beech Lodge and finds himself probing his gardener's lies, the jade god's pull, and a dead man's portrait that seems to speak.

supporting

Also known as Mr. Derrick, Derrick

First appearance: I: The Old House

As a supporting figure in The Jade God, Mr. John Derrick is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Feels a strong, inexplicable pull to Beech Lodge and senses the presence of the previous owner, Millicent.

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Derrick came to Beech Lodge for quiet and a novel, and instead inherited a study where a murdered man's presence lingers and a hidden panel yields an image from Burma. He matches wits with Martin over flower beds and Hindustani, pockets a wax copy of the god, and stages a dangerous reconstruction in the dead man's chair. His restless curiosity and willingness to chance what is not his drive the story's central investigation.

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See Mr. John Derrick in I: The Old House

Character Web

25 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Central Cast & Occult
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Derrick’s psychological whirl and Martin’s shift from silent, fearful contemplation to a “new look” and awkwar…

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In the story

Mr. John Derrick appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I: The Old House
Feels a strong, inexplicable pull to Beech Lodge and senses the presence of the previous owner, Millicent. He believes the house has chosen him.
II: Perkins
Derrick becomes increasingly attuned to the supernatural atmosphere of Beech Lodge. He experiences visions and vibrations, and feels a growing conviction that he is meant to uncover the mystery of Millicent's death.
III: The Man from the East
Struggles with writing, feels compelled by Millicent's study and portrait, interviews the returned gardener.
IV: Jean
Derrick is the new tenant of Beech Lodge, feels a mysterious connection to the house, and discusses the unfolding events with Jean.
V: The Paper-Knife
Visits Sergeant Burke to discuss the Millicent case, presents the paper-knife, and shares his observations about Martin and Perkins.
VI: God—Or Devil?
Shows the jade god to Sergeant Burke, proposes an inductive method for the case, reflects on the four key figures, and gives Edith a bangle from the peddler.
VII: A Mysterious Peddler
Derrick retrieves the jade god, creates a wax copy, and arms himself. He interrogates Martin about the peddler and the Millicent murder, then visits Sergeant Burke to report a planned robbery.
VIII: The Power of the Unknown
Derrick reveals Martin's charge to Edith, then succumbs to the jade god's hypnotic influence before being interrupted by Sergeant Burke.
IX: The Escape
Visits the Millicents to recount his discoveries and proposes a plan to recreate the murder scene.
XI: A Strange Confession
Visits Martin in jail, questions him, and ultimately frees him.
XII: “I Love You!”
Returns from Bamberley jail, shares limited details with Edith, then visits the Millicents to discuss the jade image and his relationship with Jean.
XIII: The Sacrifice
Destroys the jade god with a hammer, feels a splinter in his thumb, and later asks for Jean's hand in marriage.
XIV: A Broken Tile
Enters the study as the inventory is completed; confirms he remembers when the tile was broken.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mr. John Derrick in I: The Old House