Customer Reviews

THE THIRD RUMPOLE OMNIBUS

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The Rumpole books are wonderfully entertaining and well-written mysteries that revolve around an aging English lawyer named Rumpole.

For readers not familiar with the author, John Mortimer, and this series of short stories and novels revolving around Rumpole, the central character, I offer the following introduction.

The author, Mortimer, was an English lawyer who also is well known for his writing. He has written popular British screenplays and television adaptations such as Brideshead revisited. He has written novels. And he has written a series of short stories with a few longer stories about an aging English lawyer named Horace Rumpole. Mortimer's background makes him uniquely qualified for this series.

Rumpole's stories are usually interesting cases the title character has been involved in. The judges, various attorneys, the defendants (Rumpole only takes defense cases), acquaintances and family members are constant characters throughout the series. Rumpole is a cynic who sees the humour (British spelling in honour of Rumpole) and absurdity of modern life. These tales are also quite ingenious mysteries. These tales are loosely chronological, but you can read any of the stories in any order and still get what's happening because Mortimer always reintorduces Rumpole briefly at the start of each collection. Rumpole's wife, Hilda, - referred to by Rumpole as 'She Who Must Be Obeyed' - is a wonderful foil to Rumpole's cynical humor and obstinance.

The collections of short stories came out individually in books containing several stories, and later as a collection of a trio of these books called Omnibus editions. The first three collections - Rumpole of the Bailey, The Trials of Rumpole, and Rumpole's Return - are in the First Rumpole Omnibus. The next three collections - Rumpole for the Defence, Rumpole and the Golden Thread, and Rumpole's Last Case - are in the Second Omnibus Edition. The last of the Omnibus editions, the Third (and the one being reviewed here) contains the collections Rumpole and the Age of Miracles, Rumpole a la carte, and Rumpole and the Angel of Death. There are four other collections that are only available singly, Rumpole on Trial, Rumpole Rests His Case, Rumpole and the Primrose Path, and a prequel Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders. Every single one of these books is a joy to read. Finishing this series left me almost tearful that there were no more of these books and this splendid writing left to read.

Now this volume contains stories that revolve around more modern issues like euthanasia, civil rights in a world of terrorism and the like. But my favorite stories usually involve the humorous foibles of Rumpole's circle. 'Rumpole and the Tap End' is a rollicking story about mis-steps of Rumpole's former Head of Chambers who is now a judge. I love the character developments of these kinds of stories.

I often give Rumpole books as gifts and I re-read these stories occasionally when my spirits need a lift from paying the taxman, wondering where my youth went, filling out forms at work, watching my waistline expand as my hopes and dreams dwindle, and wondering why all the inferior beings around me seem to be so much more successful than me. I recommend these stories, and specifically this volume highly. There is also an old TV series that is extremely well done available if your tastes run more to watching than reading.

Other than Sherlock Holmes, Horace Rumpole is arguably the best and most fully described character in crime fiction. The depth of his character, and indeed the whole ensemble of characters in the Rumpole stories, even outdoes those in the Peter Wimsey, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple tales. We know Horace Rumpole as well as we know any friend or relative. We also know Hilda - she who must be obeyed. We know Guthrie, Claude Erskine-Brown, Liz Probert, Bollard. Need I go on.

This could be due to Leo McKern's portrayal of Rumpole on television. It was such a tailor-made role that one wonders whether Rumpole defined McKern or McKern defined Rumpole. Be that as it may, we can never go wrong with a good Rumpole story. And any collection, such as this, will bring joy to those who like eccentric personalities and crime fiction.

The crimes themselves are sometimes secondary to the interplay of the cast of characters.

Enjoy, with a touch of Pomeroy's plonk - Chateau Thames Embankment.

Well, I've read all the previous Rumpole collections, and seen all the PBS Rumpole episodes. I'm sure you're not surprised to hear that this one doesn't disappoint.

One hundred years from now, people will still be reading Rumpole (even if Titmuss is unknown), just as we read Sherlock Holmes today. Why? Because Rumpole is a great character -- like all great characters of literature, he reminds us of ourself. Sure, we're not all lawyers, nor drink red wine to excess at the end of each day, nor enjoy reading from the Oxford Book of English Verse, nor are we all married (empty nest) and close to retirement. But, we know all the people he works with, and we are really Rumpole. You know it.

My only regret reading this book is that it may be the last we see of Rumpole. I'd wish him a happy retirement, but I don't know what he'd do outside of chambers. Perhaps some pro bono work, with extended hours at Pommeroys.

I've read all of the Rumpole stories and this collection contains some of the best. Like the previous two Rumpole omnibi (or is it omnibuses?) it contains three Rumpole books. The one thing about it that puzzles me is that it's the first Rumpole omnibus to skip over a book. For some reason the publisher chose not to include "Rumpole on Trial" as the third book in this omnibus but "Rumpole and the Angel of Death" instead. The First and Second O's each contained three Rumpole books in the order in which they were originally published. I'm curious to know why this was not the case with the Third Omnibus.

Horace Rumpole presents himself as just an Old Bailey hack doing run-of-the-mill burglary defenses and the odd car-heist case. In reality he defends the best in the Anglo-American legal traditions against modern forces (for example, the presumption of innocence) - and this was written 20+ years ago!

Rumpole is the lovable defender of the average man and foe to all stick-in-the-muds. His motto "Never plead guilty." It could just as well be comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Hilarious, warm, human, touching, self-effacing and ever-ready to pierce the pompous gasbag - that's Rumpole of the Bailey. Start with the First Rumpole Omnibus and work your way through the rest.

As an American lawyer, I wish someone would create an American legal hero to match Rumpole.

Guaranteed to tickle your funny bone and warm your heart.

With his marmelade-stained vest and his crumpled hat, and with a quotation from the "Oxford Book of English Verse" (Quiller-Couch Edition) never far from his lips, he has labored long in that field of bloodless verbal combat known as criminal trial practice. Because of his aversion to seeing folks "banged up in the nick," he (almost) always defends. His insights into trial practice, human nature, and the manipulation of opposing counsel are priceless. He fears no man, but he quakes in the presence of She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed (his wife). He is Horace Rumpole, the bane of judges and the champion of the Timsons, a large and industrious family of South-London villians. Not only a master advocate, Rumpole is a detective of the first order, and he usually solves the various mysteries he confronts with dispatch and good humor.

Well written mysteries, excellent insight into human nature, dry British comedy, and a loveable character who has been labeled the best mock-heroic fatty since Falstaff--What more could a mystery lover or a reader of courtroom drama wish for? A "Fourth Rumpole Omnibus!"

John Mortimer's "Rumpole of the Bailey" short stories remain distinguished for their gently ironic humor, their iconic character sketches, and their willingness to take on all political comers. One critic has described the politics of this series as "Tory anarchist," and it isn't hard to see why: Rumpole is an anti-establishment individualist who dislikes any "ism" that gets in the way of his primary goal, namely, keeping his clients out of the clink. These stories are mostly of high quality, although _Rumpole and the Angel of Death_ is a bit uneven: aside from the title story, the others lack Mortimer's usual incisiveness, and the attempt to write a story from Hilda's point-of-view is a noble failure ("Hilda's Story"). I would also add that these stories are best read over time, rather than at one fell swoop. Taken in close proximity, the tics of Rumpole's garrulous and repetitive narrative voice begin to wear--perhaps he could quote from something _besides_ "La Belle Dame Sans Merci" whenever he sees Claude Erskine-Brown?--and the reader becomes a little too conscious of the stories's essentially formulaic nature. Overall, however, "Rumpole of the Bailey" remains one of the most enjoyable mystery series around today.

(If you're not already a fan, you will be after you read these tales!) Clever, funny, and moving - as always!

John Mortimer continues his classic Rumpole series in this delightful collection of stories, proof that some things do get better with age.

London lawyer Horace Rumpole eagerly seeks out the lowliest criminal cases to keep himself well stocked of the local plonk and his missus, She Who Must Be Obeyed, off his back. Surrounded by a cast of quirky supporting characters, the aging Rumpole continues his quest for justice.

Like all of Mortimer's work, the Rumpole stories are deftly written in a style so casual, so seemingly transparent, that you finish reading before you're prepared to. Perfect for the fan of humorous fiction and well-defined characters, the 3rd Rumpole Omnibus is a treat!

What can I say, this is Rumpole III? As with one and two, always great reading! I miss the Rumpole's on PBS. I hope they rerun soon. The books, of course, are delightful.

Coleen from Kent, Wa