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judyward's review against another edition
4.0
My husband is a Public Defender and has quite the stock of stories about defendents bright and otherwise, innocent and otherwise. These seven stories by John Mortimer run in the same vein. Horace Rumpole is a delight. In his sixties, overweight, unimpressed by pomp and deference, "Rumpole of the Old Bailey" as he is known makes his living dealing with the Timson family and other characters who have been accused of crimes. Along with dealing with his clients, he has interesting relationships with the other barristers in his chambers, prosecutors, and judges. And above all, he lives with Hilda, his wife of decades--or She Who Must Be Obeyed. I love Mortimer's short stories about Rumpole.
ashleylm's review against another edition
4.0
This is my new binge-reading. We're back to the short story format, but otherwise the books are so similar that it's difficult to contribute some exciting new observation to each one, it would be like trying to rate each Hershey Bar you eat, rather than Hershey Bars in general. I'll say that for this set of stories there were a few more twists than usual, and that I saw through most of them. I don't need twists, I'm quite happy to see by what legal means Rumpole manages to get clients in or out of jail, despite guilt or innocence.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s.)
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s.)
toml72's review against another edition
5.0
As others have said, John Mortimer's Rumpole books are always a delightful read. And I can always hear and see dear old Leo McKern as Horace!
John Mortimer had learned the craft of writing well long before he created Rumpole and it shows in all of his books (at least 56 at last count). And his skill and wit stayed with him right until the end.
10/5.
John Mortimer had learned the craft of writing well long before he created Rumpole and it shows in all of his books (at least 56 at last count). And his skill and wit stayed with him right until the end.
10/5.
sathyasekar's review
4.0
A very enjoyable set of short stories with Rumpole standing up in defence of the accused in court. I don’t think the stories by themselves are consistently great or even original - I could detect undertones of Agatha Christie mysteries in a couple of them- but then, the story is infused with rich, typical British humour and old world cronies that will ensure you have a smile right through the book. The humour isn’t the more farcical kind as Henry Cecil but more restrained and... British.
margardenlady's review against another edition
4.0
Rumpole always cracks me up. This was a series of short stories - each about an hour long on the audio version. Perfect for our commuting.
pranavroh's review
4.0
A Lot of fun. Short stories involving a witty criminal defence lawyer. Very well written and very well plotted with a good dose of British wit. A light, Breezy book and a good read.
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