Rumpole Rests His Case

Those of you familiar with dear old, unique if you will, Rumpole who never bothered with the "Silk" will enjoy this work.

The underlying thread in this collection of stories is freedom -- specifically, Rumpole's "right" to smoke in chambers. He is more a champion of the underdog than most leftists today, yet maintains a wonderfully conservative suspicion of social engineering. The stories are stand alone. The best in my view is the teenage werewolf. A great read....

Mortimer brings the first new volume of Rumpole stories in six years, returning the comic British legal defender to modern times with seven new, funny stories of his court appearances. Familiarity with prior Rumpole accounts is not required but will enhance enjoyment of this latest series of episodes.

Rumpole fans, John Mortimer has rewarded us generously with seven new "thrills and spills in the life of an Old Bailey hack". Much of the usual line-up is present: wife Hilda (SWMBO), the Erskine-Browns (Claude and Phillida, formerly the Portia of Chambers), faithful solicitor Bonny Bernard, Soapy Sam Ballard (a/k/a Bonzo), Mizz Liz Probert, private eye Fig Newton, Mr. Justice Featherstone, and Judge Bullingham (the Mad Bull). The old spots and props are in place: Froxbury Mansions, 1 Equity Court, Pommeroy's Wine Bar, the Sheridan Club, cheroots, steak and kidney, and our old darling Horace's favorite plonk: Chateau Fleet Street, Chateau Thames Embankment and Pommeroy's Very Ordinary. The issues are timely. The laughs are plentiful. At one point Rumpole, while attempting to gather information is handed "the wet-ended stub" of a "fairly fat cigarette" which he accepts, "feeling that the information might peter out if I rejected it." In the last story("Rumpole Rests His Case,") John Mortimer seems to be saying Cheerio to Rumpole. Say it isn't so! Now that the remarkable Leo McKern is no longer with us, perhaps we should bite the bullet and accept the inevitable. But (dare I suggest it?) there is someone out there (British actor, Ian McNeice) who could do a proper Rumpole, I'm certain of it.

As a barrister, Horace Rumpole faces the difficult challenges of new age crimes in this delightful anthology with his brain, a cheroot, and a shot of Old Bailey. Horace deals with an aristocratic former blackmailer, an illegal alien fighting exportation that means death, a politician facing ruin due to alleged drug usage and the modern stalker using e-mail as the source of contact. As anyone can see, he defends a series of peculiar clients. However, all is not great for Horace who collapses in the midst of a courtroom, placing him under greater control of his general officer and concerned wife Hilda.It is hard to believe that six years have passed since the last Rumpole tale, but the myriad of his loyal followers will rejoice that he is as sharp as ever. Horace narrates the tales that are mostly his first person perceptions. Scenes flash by at a rapid rate more so than the typical legal thriller contains which makes for a fast delightful reading experience. Simply put, John Mortimer keeps his superstar charming and witty so hopefully we fans will not have to wait quite as long for his next appearance.Harriet Klausner