John Mortimer

  • 39

    Catalog books

  • 28

    Works

  • 1978 to 2020

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

John Mortimer writes wry, courtroom-centred fiction and drama, best known here for his Rumpole stories. These books mix sharp legal detail with warm, dry humour and recurring characters, following a defence barrister who squints at authority while defending unlikely clients and navigating London’s legal quirks.

Beyond Rumpole, Mortimer’s plays and collected stories show the same keen eye for character and dialogue. Whether in short plays or full-length tales, his work balances comic observation with humane insight, keeping courtroom tensions lively while revealing the private foibles behind public performance.

Best Place To Start

Trials of Rumpole

Penguin Books, Limited • 2020 • standard commitment

It stands out because it asks for less time than many of the longer volumes on this page.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Rumpole of the Bailey stories • Legal wit and courtroom drama • Sharp comic dialogue

Genres and themes: Legal fiction • Short stories & plays • Humour

Who this author is best for: Good for readers who enjoy witty courtroom tales, character-driven humor, and brisk, dialogue-led stories.

Start with any Rumpole collection to sample the voice — try a later collection if you prefer more polished, mature stories.

Top Books To Start With

  1. Trials of Rumpole

    Penguin Books, Limited • 2020 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2020 • 208 pages.

  2. Sound of Trumpets

    Penguin Books, Limited • 2010 • standard commitment

    It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

  3. Rumpole misbehaves

    Viking • 2007 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2007 • 196 pages.

  4. Sound of Trumpets, The

    Penguin Group USA • 1999 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1999 • 272 pages.

  5. Rumpole and the Angel of Death

    Penguin Group USA • 1997 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1997 • 260 pages.

  6. Dunster

    Penguin • 1993 • longer commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1993 • 345 pages.

  7. Rumpole on Trial

    Penguin Group USA • 1993 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1993 • 256 pages.

  8. RUMPOLE A LA CARTE

    PENGUIN BOOKS LTD • 1991 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1991 • 256 pages.

  9. Rumpole's Last Case

    Select Penguin • 1990 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1990 • 256 pages.

  10. Rumpole and the Golden Thread

    Penguin Books • 1983 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1983 • 252 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • Trials of Rumpole is the easier short commitment, while Sound of Trumpets asks for more reading time up front.
  • Sound of Trumpets gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while Trials of Rumpole leans later in the catalog.
  • Rumpole misbehaves is also useful if you want a different publishing lane from Trials of Rumpole.

More Books By John Mortimer

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