This collection of seven stories offers further insights into the trials and tribulations of Rumpole’s life as an aging yet still ‘junior’ barrister, and the vagaries of the English criminal justice system.

Horace Rumpole is a glorious creation. Always pompous, and frequently quite objectionable, he is also, however, endearing and a permanent spokesman for the downtrodden and disenfranchised. His fellow barristers and occupants of 4 Equity Court are also finely drawn, and act as perfect foils for Rumpole’s chaotic and anarchic approach to life.

First and foremost, these are very humorous stories, although they also offer an engaging insight into life in Britain in the 1980s. I am always struck by the marked contrast between Rumpole’s career and that of John Mortimer himself. Now known primarily as a writer, and one who seemed to excel in so many different formats (novels, plays, short stories, memoirs, television screenplays …), he was for the greater part of his working life a successful barrister, being elevated to Queen’s Counsel and subsequently sitting as a Recorder (one of the numerous gradations of judge within the English legal system). Indeed, one can imagine Rumpole being far from impressed with John Mortimer QC, probably seeing him as a paragon of that unassailable rectitude that he fought so hard to avoid for himself.

As ever, these stories are marvellously written, and a constant source of joy to read. ( )

Horace Rumpole is a curmudgeonly barrister in London who has defended criminals in Old Bailey for almost 50 years. This book is a collection of 7 short stories. Despite the title, Rumpole is still starring in books today. ( )

As always, a great read. More smiles and grins.

Oh, Rumpole, I will never tire of your antics. Your efforts to avoid the tempers of She Who Must Be Obeyed, your willingness to antagonize the Mad Bull, even though you know better, your efforts to acquire enough briefs to keep in Pommeroy's plonk. This volume is full of the usual Rumpole antics. He defends some Timsons. He tries to avoid Dodo Mackintosh. Quite possibly my favorite of the stories involved a winter holiday in Spain and a rather unexpected conclusion. Rumpole mixes so many delightful and quintessentially British traditions: British justice, British eccentricity, British playfulness with language, and a very British sense that one's spouse is hopeless. I am not quite sure what I shall do when I run out of Rumpole books. ( )

This is comfort reading complete with red wine. ( )