John Mortimer Reading Order
7 series · 49 books · Born 1923
John Mortimer was a prolific British author known for his engaging storytelling and keen wit. Over his extensive career, spanning from 1947 to 2011, he wrote 49 works across various genres, including the beloved Rumpole of the Bailey series featuring the clever barrister Horace Rumpole. In addition to this iconic series, his repertoire includes the Rapstone Chronicles, several standalone novels, chapbooks, and plays.
Anthologies Series
Complete6 books (1990–2011)
Start with Great Law and Order Stories, the first of 6 books in the Anthologies series.
Chapbooks Series
Complete1 book (2005–2005)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  The Scales of Justice 2005Buy 🇺🇸 |
Non-Fiction Series
Complete9 books (1978–2008)
Start with The Fear Of Heaven, the first of 9 books in the Non-Fiction series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  The Fear Of Heaven 1978Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  Clinging to the Wreckage 1982Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  Character Parts 1986Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  The Oxford Book of Villains 1992Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 |  Murderers and Other Friends 1994Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  The Summer of a Dormouse 2000Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  Where There's a Will 2003Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 |  Zerah Colburn - Spirit of Darkness 2005Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 |  In Other Words 2008Buy 🇺🇸 |
Plays Series
Complete1 book (1971–1971)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  A Voyage Round My Father. John Mortimer 1971Buy 🇺🇸 |
Rapstone Chronicles Series
Complete3 books (1985–1998)
Start with Paradise Postponed and read in order.
Rumpole of the Bailey Series
Complete22 books (1978–2011)
Start with Rumpole of the Bailey, the first of 22 books in the Rumpole of the Bailey series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Rumpole of the Bailey 1978Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  Rumpole’s Return 1980Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  Regina V. Rumpole 1981Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  The Trials of Rumpole 1981Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 | Rumpole for the Defence 1982Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  Rumpole and the Golden Thread 1983Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 | Rumpole for the Prosecution 1986Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 | Rumpole's Last Case 1988Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 | Rumpole and the Age for Retirement 1989Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 | Rumpole and the Age of Miracles 1989Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 | Rumpole a La Carte 1991Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 | Rumpole on Trial 1992Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 13 |  The Best of Rumpole 1993Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 14 |  Rumpole and the Angel of Death 1995Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 15 | Rumpole and the Younger Generation 1995Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 16 |  Rumpole Rests His Case 2002Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 17 |  Rumpole and the Primrose Path 2003Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 18 |  Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders 2004Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 19 |  Rumpole and the Reign of Terror 2006Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 20 | The Anti-Social Behaviour of Horace Rumpole / Rumpole Misbehaves 2007Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 21 |  Rumpole at Christmas / A Rumpole Christmas 2009Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 22 |  Forever Rumpole 2011Buy 🇺🇸 |
Standalone Novels Series
Complete7 books (1947–2005)
Start with Charade, the first of 7 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has John Mortimer written?
- John Mortimer has written 49 books across 7 series. Their published works span from 1947 to 2011.
- What is the first book in each John Mortimer series?
- Here are the first books in John Mortimer's series: Anthologies: Great Law and Order Stories; Non-Fiction: The Fear Of Heaven; Rapstone Chronicles: Paradise Postponed; Rumpole of the Bailey: Rumpole of the Bailey.
- What order should I read John Mortimer's books?
- We recommend reading John Mortimer's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Are John Mortimer's series complete?
- John Mortimer has 7 completed series.