A Rumpole Christmas: Stories and over 630,000 other books are available for Amazon Kindle – Amazon’s new wireless reading device. Learn more

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
Give this as a gift certificate
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
More Buying Choices
82 used & new from $0.55
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
A Rumpole Christmas: Stories
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images
Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book.
Start reading A Rumpole Christmas: Stories on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don’t have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

A Rumpole Christmas: Stories [Hardcover]

John Mortimer (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
List Price: $21.95
Price: $14.71 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $7.24 (33%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it delivered Monday, August 2? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
42 new from $0.56 40 used from $0.55

Formats

 Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition --   $9.99 --
Hardcover, Bargain Price $7.24   $4.90 $3.40
Hardcover, October 29, 2009 $14.71   $0.56 $0.55
Paperback $9.60   $9.60 --
Audio, CD, Audiobook, CD $18.96   $17.55 $15.95

Frequently Bought Together

A Rumpole Christmas: Stories + Rumpole Misbehaves: A Novel (Rumpole Novels) + Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders
Price For All Three: $35.10

Show availability and shipping details

Buy the selected items together

  • In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Rumpole Misbehaves: A Novel (Rumpole Novels) by John Mortimer$9.19

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders by John Mortimer$11.20

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Rumpole Misbehaves: A Novel (Rumpole Novels)

Rumpole Misbehaves: A Novel (Rumpole Novels)

by John Mortimer
4.3 out of 5 stars (33)  $9.19
Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders

Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders

by John Mortimer
4.5 out of 5 stars (55)  $11.20
Rumpole and the Reign of Terror

Rumpole and the Reign of Terror

by John Mortimer
4.4 out of 5 stars (29)  $11.20
Rumpole and the Primrose Path

Rumpole and the Primrose Path

by John Mortimer
4.8 out of 5 stars (22)  $11.25
The First Rumpole Omnibus

The First Rumpole Omnibus

by John Mortimer
4.8 out of 5 stars (16)  $13.60
› Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As this fine holiday collection shows, Mortimer (1923–2009) could tell lovely tales that end with a gentle punch. Each of the five stories highlights English barrister Horace Rumpole's quirky personality, his love of food and drink, and life with his formidable wife, Hilda (aka She Who Must Be Obeyed). But most of all, each illustrates Rumpole's sense of justice and commitment to the law as well as his dry wit. As usual, Rumpole overshadows plots that often focus on the barrister trying to ignore the holiday. Rumpole and Father Christmas suggests that even a career criminal can get the holiday spirit. A businessman's past is used to secure funds for a church in Rumpole and the Old Familiar Faces. The most timely is the twisty Rumpole and the Christmas Break, about a murdered professor and an Islamic student with a religious vendetta against her. This is a perfect stocking stuffer for Mortimer fans. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

The first ever collection of Rumpole Christmas stories- just in time for the holidays

A Rumpole Christmas is a collection of five holiday stories-never before published in book form- depicting the Old Bailey Hack at his lovable best. In "Rumpole and Father Christmas," the English barrister encounters a familiar-looking Santa who he thinks is a thief. In "Rumpole's Slimmed Down Christmas," he goes to a new-age spa when "She who must be obeyed" insists that he lose a few pounds. In "Rumpole and the Christmas Break," he protects Hilda as a shady judge flirts with her while on a holiday that turns out to be anything but relaxing.

Witty and compulsively readable, this irresistible new collection will provide solace to the legions of fans lamenting John Mortimer's death early this year.
See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Viking Adult; Complete Numbers Starting with 1, 1st Ed edition (October 29, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0670021350
  • ISBN-13: 978-0670021352
  • Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #88,181 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
    #18 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Holidays > Christmas
    #4 in  Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Authors, A-Z > ( M ) > Mortimer, John

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

More About the Author

John Mortimer
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

› Visit Amazon's John Mortimer Page

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

A Rumpole Christmas: Stories
88% buy the item featured on this page:
A Rumpole Christmas: Stories 4.7 out of 5 stars (18)
$14.71
Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders
3% buy
Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders 4.5 out of 5 stars (55)
$11.20
The First Rumpole Omnibus
3% buy
The First Rumpole Omnibus 4.8 out of 5 stars (16)
$13.60
Talking About Detective Fiction
3% buy
Talking About Detective Fiction 4.4 out of 5 stars (18)
$14.96
Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(7)
(6)
(4)
(3)
(3)
(3)
Agree with these tags?

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

18 Reviews
5 star:
 (13)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (18 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The last Noel . . ., November 4, 2009
By Leonard Fleisig "Len" (Here, there and everywhere) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   
This review is from: A Rumpole Christmas: Stories (Hardcover)
I was saddened when Leo McKern died in 2002. I cannot think of Rumpole of the Bailey without envisioning McKern. But John Mortimer was still alive and still creating terrific Rumpole books and stories. That ended in January 2009 with Mortimer's death. My sadness was relieved somewhat when I came upon this group of stories that I had not read before. Previously published in the English press these Christmas-themed stories made for a great early holiday gift, one that I shall keep for myself.

You won't find anything new in these stories. Rumpole does what he does best: he harrumphs here and there at Judges who seem not to understand the concept of innocent until proven guilty; he continues to find solace from the rigors of life as a barrister with a glass (or two or three) of his Pommeroy's Chateau Thames Embankment; and his wife Hilda continues to play the role of `she who must be obeyed'. But it seems to me that it is this very continuity that serves to make a Rumpole story the best sort of comfort food. Each story contains the sort of Rumpole remark that reminds me why I love reading them. Behind the gruff exterior and the somewhat shabby appearance beats the heart of someone fiercely devoted to the concepts of law and equity that took him (and Mortimer) to the profession in the first place.

The bottom line for me is that I loved the stories not because they were particularly different or unusual or revealed something new about the characters known to all Rumpole fans. No, I loved the stories because they were just what I expected them to be. And for that I thank the esteemed Rumpole and the learned Mr. Mortimer.
L. Fleisig
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


 
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Surprise Christmas Treat from John Mortimer, November 19, 2009
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: A Rumpole Christmas: Stories (Hardcover)
The death early this year of John Mortimer, creator of the Rumpole stories, seemingly would have denied me one of the great pleasures of the holiday season--sitting down by the fire with the latest collection of Rumpole stories to savor. I found Mortimer's Rumpole stories to be among the most enjoyable and humorous pieces I had ever read (his satirical gifts were unmatched)--and I read them all going back many years. The only greater pleasure one could derive from Sir John was to hear him speaking in person, as I did in Washington a number of years ago. Not to worry, fellow Rumpole fans, there is one last collection available made up of Christmas-related stories. This collection consists of 5 short stories never before published in book form, the stories having appeared between 1997 and 2006 in various British publications. Of the stories, one is very short (the initial "Rumpole and Father Christmas"), two are fairly long (over 30 pages each), and the remaining stories fall in between.

All the familiar elements of the Rumpole literature are present here. Wife Hilda forcing Rumpole to a "fat farm" for the holidays; continual run-ins (both official and social) with several of the "dear old darling" judges of which Rumpole is so fond; several challenging murders to untangle; some excellent Rumpole in court scenes; and forced visits again engineered by Hilda to various of her old school friends in remote and freezing locales to spend the holidays. I found the writing as crisp and well-constructed as other Rumpole stories. I was surprised, though, that the stories had relatively little to do with Christmas, which is the theme of the collection.

You can whip through these last stories pretty quickly--I tried to ration myself and was not always successful. As much as one enjoys these further glimpses of Horace Rumpole at work and play, as I drew toward the end of the collection I experienced some sadness since no more stories (as far as we know) will be forthcoming. But there is plenty of enjoyment and fun to be had in these final 161 pages--but I do wish there could be more!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


 
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Rumpole! What Else Is There To Say?, November 17, 2009
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: A Rumpole Christmas: Stories (Hardcover)
Classic, wonderful Rumpole. Reading the stories was bittersweet, knowing that there are no more to come. If you love Rumpole, don't miss this book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Rumpole Rests
Another wonderful collection of stories by John Mortimer about the world's favorite barrister, the only sad thing is knowing that with the author's passing we will have no more of... Read more
Published 20 days ago by Jude M. Ryan

4.0 out of 5 stars A somewhat slim collection of stories
This is a slim collection of five short stories set around the Christmas season. Some are better than others, and at least one is also included in another collection... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Fred Camfield

4.0 out of 5 stars The Last Rumpole!
Like other reviewers, I was saddened by the recent death of Rumpole's creator, John Mortimer. However, this book is a fitting end for the series. Read more
Published 4 months ago by William Pilon

4.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile reading
Having seen the television series of Rumpole, one is immediately able to envisage the characters described in John Mortimer's writings. Read more
Published 5 months ago by John Sybenga

5.0 out of 5 stars Rumpole's Christmas Stories / Christmas treat
As a great fan of the Rumpole series I was thrilled to get the "lost" stories for Christmas, it would have been better only if Leo McKern had read them. Read more
Published 6 months ago by S. M. English

5.0 out of 5 stars Rumpole only improves with age
If you have missed reading John Mortimer's Rumpole books, this short story collection centering around Christmas would be a perfect way to start. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jeri Nevermind

5.0 out of 5 stars She Who Must Be Obeyed would approve
She Who Must Be Obeyed would approve of this charming collection of Christmas stories. Expertly written, well crafted characters, and tight prose make this collection of short... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Penmouse

5.0 out of 5 stars Laughter with a twist
These stories made me laugh with the surprize twists of who dunnit and who was really guilty. Rampole's personality seemed so real as he always had other ideas simmering in the... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Sandra Pomykala

5.0 out of 5 stars The Christmas Curmudgeon
Author John Mortimer (1923-2009)died earlier this year. He produced a considerable number of plays, screen plays, radio plays and novels, and managed a full-time legal career as... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Glynn Young

5.0 out of 5 stars Christmas Time In The Old Bailey
When Sir John Mortimer died in early 2009 I figured we'd seen the last of Horace Rumpole, the immortal Old Bailey hack. Read more
Published 7 months ago by John D. Cofield

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   

So You'd Like to...


Create a guide

Look for Similar Items by Category

Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Books by subject:












i.e., each book must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...
 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.