John Mortimer

Five holiday tales feature the curmudgeon barrister in "Rumpole and Father Christmas," "Rumpole's Slimmed Down Christmas," "Rumpole and the Boy," "Rumpole and the Old Familiar Faces," and "Rumpole and the Christmas Break."

Horace Rumpole is one of the underpaid barristers who ply the courtrooms of the Old Bailey, London's criminal court. Each of his trials has both a victory and a defeat in them, his clients who are acquitted often angrier than those who are found guilty. Rumpole always wins in court, but rarely wins arguments against Mrs. Rumpole, who is affectionately known as "She who must be obeyed."

Horace Rumpole is one of the underpaid barristers who ply the courtrooms of the Old Bailey, London's criminal court. Each of his trials has both a victory and a defeat in them, his clients who are acquitted often angrier than those who are found guilty. Rumpole always wins in court, but rarely wins arguments against Mrs. Rumpole, who is affectionately known as "She who must be obeyed."

A television series about the life and trials of Horace Rumpole as a London criminal defense lawyer.

A television series about the life and trials of Horace Rumpole as a London criminal defense lawyer.

Horace Rumpole, one of the most brilliant barristers in England, travels through the legal world finding comedy, mystery and drama in the courtroom and behind-the-scenes.

Horace Rumpole, one of the most brilliant barristers in England, travels through the legal world finding comedy, mystery and drama in the courtroom and behind-the-scenes.