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Left at Number 17: A Warm, Sharp and Very British Christmas Comedy Novella About Neighbours, Chaos and Second Chances
A sharp, funny British comedy about neighbours, suspicion, and the small things that spiral out of control.
“Warm, witty and unexpectedly moving.”When a padded envelope goes missing on Laurel Drive, it should be a simple mistake.
Instead, it becomes something the whole street can’t quite let go of.
Dennis at Number 17 runs an unofficial Parcel Hub from his driveway — queue tickets, passwords, mugs of tea, and a strict sense of order. It keeps the street ticking over. It keeps people polite. It keeps everything under control.
Until one man jumps the queue.
Michael has too much riding on the day to wait — and hates himself for the decision he makes next.
And with that single decision, the small things refuse to stay small.
Neighbours get involved.
Quiet assumptions turn into quiet judgements.
Old feelings resurface.
And suddenly, everyone has an opinion.
What follows is a night of awkward confrontations, bad decisions, and unintended consequences — all sparked by one missing padded envelope.
Left at Number 17 is a fast, witty, character-driven comedy about what happens when politeness meets paranoia, and why the real trouble never starts with the missing parcel — it starts when people begin talking about it.
Read free with Kindle Unlimited.
“Don’t be right. Be kind. You can be right later, if you really need to.”
About the authorJames Crookes is a bestselling British comedy author and long-running radio presenter and producer. He writes warm, sharp fiction about ordinary people in awkward situations and the moments that change everything. He lives in Sheffield, England, with his family, fifteen pairs of reading glasses, and a sincere belief that wine solves at least 40% of modern problems.
“Warm, witty and unexpectedly moving.”When a padded envelope goes missing on Laurel Drive, it should be a simple mistake.
Instead, it becomes something the whole street can’t quite let go of.
Dennis at Number 17 runs an unofficial Parcel Hub from his driveway — queue tickets, passwords, mugs of tea, and a strict sense of order. It keeps the street ticking over. It keeps people polite. It keeps everything under control.
Until one man jumps the queue.
Michael has too much riding on the day to wait — and hates himself for the decision he makes next.
And with that single decision, the small things refuse to stay small.
Neighbours get involved.
Quiet assumptions turn into quiet judgements.
Old feelings resurface.
And suddenly, everyone has an opinion.
What follows is a night of awkward confrontations, bad decisions, and unintended consequences — all sparked by one missing padded envelope.
Left at Number 17 is a fast, witty, character-driven comedy about what happens when politeness meets paranoia, and why the real trouble never starts with the missing parcel — it starts when people begin talking about it.
Read free with Kindle Unlimited.
“Don’t be right. Be kind. You can be right later, if you really need to.”
About the authorJames Crookes is a bestselling British comedy author and long-running radio presenter and producer. He writes warm, sharp fiction about ordinary people in awkward situations and the moments that change everything. He lives in Sheffield, England, with his family, fifteen pairs of reading glasses, and a sincere belief that wine solves at least 40% of modern problems.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2025
61 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 6, 2025
I’ve read all of James Crookes’ books and found them to be laugh-out-loud funny. This one not so much. The story was okay but got lost in the similes/metaphors/personification on every other line. I would have preferred a bit of sarcastic humour and just plain old storytelling just like his other books. Pretty disappointing and can only give it 3⭐️
If anyone on Laurel Drive dared to feel festive on the first Monday in December, a small red card through the letterbox reminded them there were new Christmas rules.
Dennis at Number 17 — facing his first Christmas as a widower — has turned his driveway into a nightly “Parcel Hub”: queue tickets, passwords, mugs of tea, and a sense of order. For him, running Christmas like a system isn’t just neighbourly; it’s a way to keep people together when life has taken something away.
It almost works… until Christmas Eve, when Michael jumps the queue with a panicked lie about a proposal and discovers the parcel he desperately needs is missing.
A chancer courier has pocketed his tiny padded envelope.
What follows is a night of frosty detours, market-stall mishaps, a faltering Mini with antlers, and one woman who made a bad choice — roughly the size of Dennis’s own, once upon a time.
If anyone on Laurel Drive dared to feel festive on the first Monday in December, a small red card through the letterbox reminded them there were new Christmas rules.
Dennis at Number 17 — facing his first Christmas as a widower — has turned his driveway into a nightly “Parcel Hub”: queue tickets, passwords, mugs of tea, and a sense of order. For him, running Christmas like a system isn’t just neighbourly; it’s a way to keep people together when life has taken something away.
It almost works… until Christmas Eve, when Michael jumps the queue with a panicked lie about a proposal and discovers the parcel he desperately needs is missing.
A chancer courier has pocketed his tiny padded envelope.
What follows is a night of frosty detours, market-stall mishaps, a faltering Mini with antlers, and one woman who made a bad choice — roughly the size of Dennis’s own, once upon a time.
December 18, 2025
A lovely, funny, heartfelt Christmas story
I have read the Do They Know its Christmas series of books and I saw this come up on James Crookes Facebook page and thought I'd give it a look.
It really is a lovely book.
It's amazing what can happen with the magic of Christmas. Dennis has organised a delivery depot at his house gor the residents of Laurel Drive. No-one asked him to do it. But every night he stands in his drive with his check list. Everyone queues and waits for their turn. Michael doesn't want to wait, he has a deadline, he needs to collect the turkey, call his boss and land a client. But first he has to get his parcel. What could possibly go wrong? Michael is about to have his most adventurous Christmas eve ever. A story about loved ones who have gone and friendships formed. Plus a naughty fox. One emotional ride.
I have read the Do They Know its Christmas series of books and I saw this come up on James Crookes Facebook page and thought I'd give it a look.
It really is a lovely book.
It's amazing what can happen with the magic of Christmas. Dennis has organised a delivery depot at his house gor the residents of Laurel Drive. No-one asked him to do it. But every night he stands in his drive with his check list. Everyone queues and waits for their turn. Michael doesn't want to wait, he has a deadline, he needs to collect the turkey, call his boss and land a client. But first he has to get his parcel. What could possibly go wrong? Michael is about to have his most adventurous Christmas eve ever. A story about loved ones who have gone and friendships formed. Plus a naughty fox. One emotional ride.
December 9, 2025
great fun rollercoaster short Christmas drama from the author who bought us do they know it's Christmas yet and the following sequels. really enjoyed this, funny, heartwarming fun
January 30, 2026
Left at no. 17 is an enjoyable, light-hearted comedy drama that leans firmly into farce, with the emphasis very much on laughter rather than weighty themes. It’s smart without ever being smug, and sweet with a dip into sentimentality. The humour comes driven by sharp dialogue, well-timed misunderstandings, and a playful sense of chaos that keeps the pace lively throughout.
Although the story is rooted in a Christmas setting, it never feels boxed in by the season. The festive backdrop adds warmth and a gentle sense of nostalgia, but the characters and comic situations are universal enough to make this an entertaining read at any time of year. There’s a comforting familiarity to it, paired with enough wit to keep things feeling fresh.
Overall, No. 17 is a charming, easy read that delivers exactly what it promises: comedy, good-natured fun, and a thoroughly enjoyable escape.
Although the story is rooted in a Christmas setting, it never feels boxed in by the season. The festive backdrop adds warmth and a gentle sense of nostalgia, but the characters and comic situations are universal enough to make this an entertaining read at any time of year. There’s a comforting familiarity to it, paired with enough wit to keep things feeling fresh.
Overall, No. 17 is a charming, easy read that delivers exactly what it promises: comedy, good-natured fun, and a thoroughly enjoyable escape.
December 8, 2025
Xmas in Suburbia
Gentle, bittersweet, Xmas disaster that isn't. Full of love and compassion, laugh out loud one minute, heart breaking the next. A timely reminder of the true spirit of Xmas.
Gentle, bittersweet, Xmas disaster that isn't. Full of love and compassion, laugh out loud one minute, heart breaking the next. A timely reminder of the true spirit of Xmas.
December 7, 2025
This guy always makes me laugh out loud x lovely characters, great story x
December 7, 2025
I love all the do they know it's Christmas books .... So when James wrote this I ordered it immediately and honestly.... It didn't disappoint. You'll laugh, cry and feel festive. I don't want to give anything away except to say "oh Dennis" 🥹
February 2, 2026
Good read
Interesting story centred around Christmas and the build up for a group of neighbours with the usual assortment of characters and there failabilities.
Interesting story centred around Christmas and the build up for a group of neighbours with the usual assortment of characters and there failabilities.
December 3, 2025
Another great read from James Crookes.
Another great read from James Crookes.
Thanks for the laughs again.
I look forward to your next one.
Can't wait
Another great read from James Crookes.
Thanks for the laughs again.
I look forward to your next one.
Can't wait
December 29, 2025
Slightly confusing but enjoyable read
December 7, 2025
I concur with Joanne. I gave an extra star because I so love his other books and don’t want him to stop writing, just have more of his usual style. I was really looking forward to this as an early Christmas present to myself but I sadly only found it mildly amusing. The other ‘yet’ books made me laugh so much they annoyed my husband (I read in bed and woke him up) but this one was more internal chuckles. If I hadn’t read the other books, I may have liked it more but as I have, this just didn’t hit the usual mark. Still can’t wait for book 4 though.
December 11, 2025
James Crookes is now the king of heart warming Christmas comedy capers.
Whilst this one did not feature our beloved characters from his previous trilogy it didn’t disappoint. Ended up really caring about these characters and wouldn’t mind to hear from them again.
Some laugh out loud moments but really just about the kindness of every day people
Whilst this one did not feature our beloved characters from his previous trilogy it didn’t disappoint. Ended up really caring about these characters and wouldn’t mind to hear from them again.
Some laugh out loud moments but really just about the kindness of every day people
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews