Rumpole's Last Case

Rumpole's Last Case is a collection of seven short stories featuring the witty and tenacious defense barrister Horace Rumpole. The book, published in 1987, was adapted from Mortimer's successful television series scripts. Each story presents Rumpole defending clients at London's Old Bailey criminal court while navigating the politics of his chambers and the demands of his formidable wife Hilda, whom he refers to as "She Who Must Be Obeyed." The cases range from official secrets to wine fraud, with Rumpole employing his trademark blend of legal knowledge and theatrical courtroom tactics. The collection showcases Rumpole's appreciation of small pleasures - cheap cigars, claret at Pommeroy's Wine Bar, and quoting poetry - against the backdrop of British legal tradition and justice. Through these stories, Mortimer examines the complexities of truth, justice, and human nature within the British legal system.

Readers view this as a satisfying conclusion to Rumpole's adventures, though some note it lacks the energy of earlier books in the series. Readers appreciate: - The familiar wit and humor in Rumpole's observations - The inclusion of favorite recurring characters - Mortimer's commentary on changes in the British legal system - The blend of legal drama with personal reflections Common criticisms: - Stories feel more subdued and melancholy compared to previous collections - Some cases lack the usual complexity - Less courtroom action than typical Rumpole tales Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (289 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (52 reviews) One reader noted: "A gentle farewell to a beloved character, though I missed the usual fireworks." Another commented: "The wit remains sharp but there's a wistful quality that makes this collection different." Several reviewers mentioned preferring earlier Rumpole books for newcomers to the series.

A Certain Justice by P. D. James Chief prosecutor Venetia Aldridge navigates London's criminal courts in cases that expose the intricacies of British legal procedure and the moral complexities of justice.

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly Defense attorney Mickey Haller operates from his Lincoln Town Car in Los Angeles, taking cases that reveal the machinery of criminal justice through sharp legal maneuvering.

Defending Jacob by William Landay A district attorney faces professional and personal conflicts when his son stands accused of murder, leading to courtroom drama that examines legal ethics and family loyalties.

The Children Act by Ian McEwan High Court judge Fiona Maye presides over cases in the Family Division while dealing with personal crises, offering insight into British legal proceedings and judicial decision-making.

Bleak House by Charles Dickens The labyrinthine case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce winds through the Court of Chancery, depicting the British legal system through interconnected stories of lawyers, litigants, and London society.

🔸 The character of Horace Rumpole was initially created by John Mortimer for a BBC Play for Today in 1975, before becoming a beloved television series starring Leo McKern that ran for seven seasons. 🔸 "She Who Must Be Obeyed," Rumpole's nickname for his wife Hilda, is a reference to H. Rider Haggard's 1887 novel "She," about an immortal queen who rules a lost kingdom. 🔸 John Mortimer was not just a writer but also a practicing barrister who, like his creation Rumpole, specialized in criminal defense work at the Old Bailey in London. 🔸 The cheap wine Rumpole favors, "Château Thames Embankment," is a fictional blend named after London's Thames Embankment, playfully mocking pretentious wine culture while reflecting Rumpole's modest means. 🔸 Before writing the Rumpole series, Mortimer had considerable success as a playwright and screenwriter, including adapting Evelyn Waugh's "Brideshead Revisited" for television in 1981.