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Rumpole Misbehaves

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After nearly thirty years Sir John Mortimer's finest creation Horace Rumpole, Old Bailey hack and scourge of prosecutors and judges, is getting to be somewhat formulaic in his now all too rare appearances. He faces down numerous challenges and invitations to retire from his colleagues in his Chambers at Equity Court, who find him irritatingly old fashioned and annoyingly bent on defending the worst class of criminals. His determination to preserve legal principles like presumption of innocence and the right to a trial by a jury of one's peers frustrate various judges and politicians who want to speed up the process in order to get more criminals behind bars (regardless of their actual guilt or innocence). Worst of all, he does continual battle with his much loved but argumentative She Who Must Be Obeyed, his wife Hilda. The experienced Rumpole reader knows all of these plot elements will be found within each new story, along with other stock characters like the always on the wrong side of the law Timson clan.

Yes, these stories are formulaic, but that's what makes them great. They are always welcome because they always present a new, wry look at the state of human affairs. In Rumpole Misbehaves Rumpole takes on the Government's policy of issuing ASBOs, or Anti-Social Behavior Orders, to people who commit minor infractions unworthy of being called crimes. As always, a seemingly minor case gets caught up in several other minor cases and turns into a major issue, which Rumpole alone is clever enough to piece together. Meanwhile, his amusingly dull colleagues find themselves scotched in their latest effort to get rid of Rumpole and free up a space for a more "suitable" barrister.

This time, there are some amusing new twists. Hilda continues to have an occasional point of view, a nice little diversion Mortimer started in Rumpole and the Reign of Terror. Rumpole's old nemesis Judge Bullingham unexpectedly becomes something of a friend and ally (because he has designs on Rumpole's "happy" home, apparently). And there are a few new contortions in the tangled personal/love affairs of Rumpole's fellow barristers at Equity Court. Together, both the new and the old plot elements make for an excellent addition to the Rumpole canon. May Horace go on smoking his little cigars, eating his sandwiches and pies in Chambers, and imbibing Chateau Thames Embankment for many years to come!

John Mortimer has reached an age (84 in 2007) where he could be excused if he set down his pen. In fact, I had rather assumed that no more Rumpole books would be forthcoming from this master of British wit. When I came across 'Rumpole Misbehaves' while browsing for Christmas presents, I immediately decided I needed to give it as a present - to me!

In 'Rumpole Misbehaves', Mortimer gives us Horace Rumpole, barrister, but no QC, battling injustice, prejudice, hypocrisy, and stupid government policies, not to mention social and career climbing. Mortimer introduces the reader to an abomination called an "Anti Social Behaviour Order" (ASBO) whereby the UK government attempts to punish persons under the vague charge of being 'anti-social' and without the full panoply of due process.

Rumpole not only defends a client against an ASBO charge, but even finds himself hauled to the dock. Mortimer neatly ties these cases into the murder charge that lies at the heart of the story. The Mad Bull, AKA Judge Leonard Bullingham, also occupies a central, if surprising, role in the story.

In 'Rumpole Misbehaves' we see egos deflated, pretensions to moral righteousness revealed as in fact being just pretensions, and justice served all with Rumpole's wit tweaking those in need of tweaking. 'Afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted, but make it funny' could be Rumpole's epitaph. However, Mortimer implies that yet more Rumpole tales are in the offing. Let's hope so and thank you John Mortimer!

Mae West.

Any doubts anyone may have that Horace Rumpole doesn't share a bit of Mae West's mischievous world view will be dispelled after reading John's Mortimer's latest Rumpole romp, "Rumpole Misbehaves".

When we last saw the esteemed barrister, in Rumpole and the Reign of Terror (Rumpole Novels) he was doing verbal and legal battle against what he perceived as an invidious threat to historic civil liberties enjoyed in Britain by anti-terror legislation enacted by Parliament. He now takes on what he considers to be another invidious threat to civil liberties in the form of Anti-Social Behavior Orders, also known as ASBOs. ASBOs, arose out of legislation enacted by Tony Blair's Labour government in the form of the Crime and Disorder Act of 1998 and the Anti-social Behaviour Act of 2003. In Rumpole's eyes these laws, thought well-intended, enable the police and judiciary to criminalize some conduct that is lawful but annoying.

In the case at hand the ASBO-worthy conduct is the constant kicking of a soccer ball by one Peter Timson, a child of the criminally-inclined clan that has provided Rumpole with a significant portion of his legal fees over the years, into a quiet upper-class street where the noise of children is perceived by one resident to be ASBO-worthy. Mortimer supplements this case with two additional legal matters. In one Rumpole finds himself defending a mild-mannered government employee in what appears to be an open and shut case of the murder of an illegal Russian immigrant working as a prostitute. In the other, Rumpole finds himself in the docket defending himself on an ASBO related charge brought against him by his colleagues in his chambers, that his smoking a cheroot, drinking cheap wine, and eating at his desk is anti-social behavior. As the story plays out Rumpole and the reader discover that these seemingly unrelated story lines may not be as unrelated as they first appear. To top things off, Hilda is continuing to write in her diary (a nice comedic device first used in Reign of Terror) and, of all things, threatening to read for the bar and become a lawyer.

The enjoyment of any of Mortimer's Rumpole series is not really found solely in the story line but in the wit and humor of Mortimer's writing. Rumpole feels like an old friend after all these years and yet every `harrumph' or muttered `she who must be obeyed' or barely-whispered cracks about insurable judges and stuffy colleagues in chambers still makes me laugh. And even though Rumpole acts just as we expect him to, and even as events play out just as we thought they might, Rumpole's ongoing willingness to fight the good fight on matters of principle large and small still leaves me rooting for one more favorable verdict. My own verdict on Rumpole Misbehaves: you keep on misbehaving Horace and I'll keep reading!. L. Fleisig

John Mortimer's "Rumpole Misbehaves" once again shows that the "life of an Old Bailey hack has more ups and downs in it than the roller-coaster on the end of Brighton pier." Rumpole's faithful solicitor, Bonny Bernard, gives him a brief involving twelve-year old Peter Timson, who has been playing football on the wrong side of the street. The boy has been slapped with an ASBO (anti-social behavior order). Since the Timsons, petty criminals all, have been the mainstay of Rumpole's practice for so long, he feels obliged to accept this lowly case. Ironically, Rumpole is in danger of having an ASBO filed against him, as well, for polluting Four Equity Court by eating, drinking, and smoking cigarillos in chambers.

Soon, Bernard presents Rumpole with a much juicier case. A thirty-three year old clerk in the Home Office, Graham Wetherby, has been arrested for allegedly strangling Ludmilla Ravenskaya, a Russian immigrant and prostitute. Wetherby insists that the woman was already dead when he entered her bedroom to have a tryst. Another subplot deals with Rumpole's wife, Hilda, who has decided that she would like to read for the bar. She is warmly encouraged by her dear friend and Rumpole's nemesis, High Court Judge Sir Leonard "Mad Bull" Bullingham. For his part, Rumpoles decides that it is high time that he applied for silk. Rumpole, QC, has a certain ring to it, and he thinks that it might be fun to sit in the first row with the senior barristers for a change.

Judges still despise the irreverent Rumpole, since he freely points out their errors and does whatever he can to get the jurors to take his side. Although he may not garner much respect from his peers or from Hilda, Rumpole is utterly comfortable in his own skin. He will not entertain the thought of retiring, since his work gives his days meaning: "If you go down to the Old Bailey you'll find that all life is there, the real world with all its sins, mistakes and occasional beauty and good behavior." Above all, he reveres the legal process, and tirelessly promotes the rights guaranteed to all citizens by the British Constitution. There has never been a more energetic champion of the underdog nor a more eloquent proponent of the principle that a defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty by a jury of his peers. Whatever flaws he may have, Rumpole has never sold out to the establishment, nor has he ever compromised his values to achieve status or wealth.

As usual, Rumpole uses his keen powers of observation and analysis, as well as the services of his investigator, Ferdinand "Fig" Newton, to bring his cases (all of which are coincidentally interrelated) to their satisfactory conclusions. At under two hundred pages, "Rumpole Misbehaves" is a slight novel with some amusing scenes, but this installment lacks the sparkling repartee, subtlety, and dizzying satirical heights of Mortimer's best work. Even a lower case Rumpole, however, is better than no Rumpole at all, and it is always a pleasure to spend a few hours in the company of this unique and colorful character.

He is an icon to attorneys on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Attired in his wig and robe, he is the envy of trial lawyers for his scathing ability to skewer judges on the finer points of the law and his passionate defense of prisoners at the bar who seemed destined for a term in prison. He is English barrister Horace Rumpole, a venerated legend for large numbers of English and American lawyers.

The curmudgeonly trial lawyer, the creation of English barrister John Mortimer, first appeared in America on Public Broadcasting's "Mystery" television series. Episodes of Rumpole of the Bailey ran for three decades on American TV and spawned short stories and novels that centered on the life of Rumpole, who loved to quote Wordsworth and defend those whose cases often seemed to be hopeless. The Rumpole saga was for many an education on the differences between the English legal system and its counterpart across the Atlantic. Through Rumpole, Mortimer educated many Americans about the law and important legal issues in both England and America.

RUMPOLE MISBEHAVES is Mortimer's latest effort in a series of nearly 20 publications. The exact number is difficult to pinpoint because their popularity has yielded many short stories, novellas and compilations. But all of the Rumpole stories share a common thread. As a practicing English barrister, Mortimer had strong opinions on many important issues of the law. Rumpole serves as Mortimer's alter ego expressing concerns about those issues. Over the past three decades they have ranged far and wide, but Mortimer and Rumpole are both fierce defenders of civil liberties and human rights. For Rumpole the freedoms enunciated in the Magna Carta remain the bedrock foundation for English citizens.

In RUMPOLE MISBEHAVES, that target of Mortimer's concern is the Anti-Social behavior Order, or ASBO, a recent innovation of English law directed against those individuals engaging in anti-social behavior. Rumpole's client is 12-year-old Peter Timson, a member of a family well known to followers of Rumpole's legal career. Young Timson has the audacity to play soccer on the streets of his neighborhood, an activity that results in his being served with an order to appear in court. Soon Horace himself will be defending a request for an order brought against him by members of his law office. Through these activities Mortimer establishes the absurd consequences of government action that seeks to control minute aspects of citizens' lives.

No Rumpole novel would be complete without a case down at the Old Bailey, London's criminal court. Rumpole represents Graham Wetherby, who is accused of murdering a Russian-born prostitute. Wetherby was arrested in the strangled woman's bedroom, and his case appears to be open and shut. But fans of Rumpole know all too well that nothing is what it appears to be once he dons his wig and robe. The case takes many strange twists and turns before reaching its conclusion in an Old Bailey courtroom.

All of Mortimer's characters who readers have grown to love make their appearance in RUMPOLE MISBEHAVES. The barristers of 4 Equity Court --- including Claude Erskine-Brown and Sam Ballard, head of chambers --- continue in their never-ending quest to deprive Rumpole of the excesses that make his life enjoyable. The old Bailey Judges, who cannot understand why Rumpole persists in fighting for clients who seem guilty, are also present. Last but certainly not least is Horace's wife Hilda, affectionately named "She who must be obeyed." Ironically Hilda has decided that reading the law is an avocation she might undertake. Through it all, the understated humor of Mortimer weaves another entrancing tale in the life of England's best known barrister.

For many years, Rumpoleans have marveled at the exploits of a defender of the rights of all and a keen observer of the vagaries of society. Rumpole cannot continue on forever, but his vast array of fans can take joy in the fact that his legal career continues and his passion for justice remains robust.

--- Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman

Rumpole is at it again, a contrarian in the lonely pursuit of justice, however small. His misbehaviour is of two sorts: first, he flaunts the green-inspired rules of his chambers by continuing to eat, drink and smoke small cigars in his rooms, which violation is prosecuted as a criminal offence by his colleagues under the Anti-Social Behaviours Act. Secondly, he is seduced by the prospect of being nominated for elevation at the bar and "taking silk," thereby becoming Rumpole, Q.C. ("Queer Customer," as the Rumpole of old would put it.)

These challenges take place against the backdrop of Rumpole's defense of a murder by manual stangulation, the type of crime that should whet Rumpole's chops more than appears in this story. We also are privy to more of Hilda Rumpole's journal, highlighting her dalliances both with Leonard ("the Mad Bull") Bullingham and with her notion of reading for the bar. Toss in some philandering by both Philida Erskine-Brown and her mealy-mouthed husband Claude, and all the ingredients are there for a satisfying "read" with Rumpole.

Notwithstanding, this is not one of Mortimer's best. It is a short story expanded to a novella and rushed to the printer as a novel before its time. The murder defense is given short shrift, much as Hilda receives from the Mad Bull at the end of the day. Like Rumpole, we live with our small disappointments -- and this one certainly is of that scale -- and hope for more and better things to come

A good Rumpole collection is like a box of fine English toffee, and lasts about as long. As I partook of Rumpole Misbehaves and other titles in this decade's offerings of the Horace Rumpole canon, I began to realize I used to like it better when I could fold my mind into a Rumpole story and forget the outside world for a while, which I so often couldn't in these politically motivated latter-day outings. Still, I understand John Mortimer's desire to rant about the hideous bit of social tyranny that is the Anti-Social Behavior Order and am behind him in thinking that bit of Big Brothering is absolutely atrocious. As I read about it, I kept thinking, "Go get `em, Rumpole!" Still, much of the rest of what was offered here in "Misbehaves" was more in keeping with traditional Rumpole fare, with the Timson clan playing its part, She Who Must Be Obeyed hers, as well as Rumpole's eternal conundrum about becoming a QC. (No spoiler here to say of course he doesn't!) I guess it's true there's very little suspense anymore in these stories and the outcomes are often intentionally telegraphed early on by Rumpole, er, I mean Mortimer, but the journey itself through the life and times of this larger than life character is the real fun of sitting back and delving into these novels. Hard to believe that with Mr. Mortimer's passing we've finally reached the end of a literary era. Good thing we've got thirty-plus years of Rumpole books to read through for consolation, Rumpole Misbehaves among them.

Rumpole is a delight,a never changing constant in this troubled world. He is politically incorrect, bombastic and a constant source of annoyance to "She who must be obeyed" and those bumbling judges at the Old Bailey.

This novel, published as The Anti-Social Behaviour of Horace Rumpole in Britain and the rest of the world, makes fun of Britains anti-terrorist laws as Rumpole riles at the threat to civil liberties.Over a glass or two of Chateau Thames and a little cigar at Pommeroy's Rumpole plans his defence of one of the youngest of the Timson clan, a family of habitual petty criminals who are our heroes main source of income, with hilarious results.

Fans of Mortimer's Rumpole are in for another treat. Rumpole is hired to defend a man who is accused of strangling a prostitute. Rumpole's legal savvy detects the odor of rat here.

Meanwhile, She Who Must Be Obeyed, Rumpole's domineering spouse, is flirting with a judge who Rumpole loathes. That doesn't bother Rumpole as much as her plans to become a barrister and take some of Rumpole's unsavory clientele for her own practice. The thought of working with her troubles him profoundly.

Mortimer's Rumpole is pitch perfect as usual. This quote from Rumpole says a lot: " nothing they sling at me in court could be as bad as having to confront, every day and all day, the changing moods and general disapproval of She Who Must Be Obeyed."

Ah, Rumpole, long may he serve!

Rumpole Misbehaves is an entertaining light mystery that can be finished fairly quickly. Rumpole, an "Old Bailey Hack", remains one of my favorite fictional defenders of the criminal classes. The current mystery lightly touches upon a young boy prosecuted for playing football and a government worker suspected of murdering a prostitute. Both mysteries are mere whisps of plot (think mini-MacGuffens), providing Mr. Rumpole a stage to perform. Unfortunately, the performance is not what it used to be.

The author seems to have developed amnesia regarding his supporting characters. Claude is at best a stick figure of his former self, and Miz Liz has apparently abandoned her radical feminism (and common sense). Even Phyllida, the "Portia of our Chambers"-turned judge, has apparently gone off her nut. Mortimer is a fine humorist, but it wouldn't hurt him to remember that the other characters work best as an actual supporting cast, not props. He appears to have forgotten their character histories and development completely. Even Rumpole's sudden desire to be recognized as a "Queer Customer" is jarring (earlier incarnations of the character would consider this blasphemy).

Here's hoping Mortimer takes more time with the next installment (and that there will be a next installment). New readers would be better served purchasing the First Rumpole Omnibus. While completists will want to purchase this latest edition to the series, I'd wait for a good used book sale.