John Mortimer, Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders

Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders

John Mortimer

Viking, Nov 2004, $24.95, 224 pp.

ISBN: 0670033561

Horace Rumpole looks back to just after graduating from Oxford to work his first legal case. Five decades ago, Rumpole bit his acerbic tongue to defend a client Simon Jerold accused of a double murder, that of his father and a friend using a pistol taken from a deceased World War II German aviator. The evidence seems overwhelming and the legal fraternity shies away from defending the accused as no money can be made. Stunned by the reaction of his peers Rumpole dives into the defense with idealistic zeal.

Rumpole quickly learns that the jurisprudence system is a haven for corrupt barristers trying to squeeze pounds out of helpless and at times innocent criminals. He drops the gloves, applying his saber wit on opponents as he defends his client with his belligerent, in-your-face manner. He will use that technique for the next five decades, defending the downtrodden against powerful opponents except Hilda Wyston who he has just met through her father and quickly becomes known as "She Who Must Be Obeyed."

This is a terrific Rumpole legal thriller that fans of the series will fully treasure due to the documenting of his first case referenced in many of the short stories. The deep support cast consists of "felons" from all sides of the legal systems, family members, and lest we forget the client. Though newcomers will feel aspects of the case and the protagonist's background seem missing (a tendency to rely on references in other books), readers will find pleasure with the character-driven case that fans have wanted for seemingly almost as long a time as the hero looks back.

Harriet Klausner