Rosemary F. (canadianeh) reviewed Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders : A Novel (Mystery Masters Series) on + 242 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Rumpole wins the first case of his career and makes the biggest mistake of his life. With the usual wit and grace Rumpole's story as a defense lawyer unfolds, as does his fateful meeting with She Who Must Be Obeyed. I always wanted to know how that could possibly have resulted in marriage: great story - splendid mystery tale, too.
Julie B. (heartinthehighlands) reviewed Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders : A Novel (Mystery Masters Series) on + 54 more book reviews
This is the first Rumpole I have ever read and I really enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun. Lots of tongue-in-cheek British humor combined with a really good story.
jjares reviewed Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders : A Novel (Mystery Masters Series) on + 3262 more book reviews
The best part of a Horace Rumpole mystery is the wry wit; actually, he sometimes offers readers a roar of laughter. There must be more than 20 Rumpole mysteries, not including the Rumpole Christmas books and omnibuses.
Rumpole has been telling tales about the Old Bailey for some 40 years most of them talking about Rumpole hiding from the shadow of retirement. Thus, it is a delight to see a young Rumpole in this story. It is the 1950s and Horace has been a barrister for a mere 18 months.
This particular book is the story of how a young white wig Horace tackled his first important case the Penge Bungalow Murders. It is also the story of how Hilda (daughter of Horaces boss), managed to snare Rumpole into marriage.
Through an odd set of circumstances, Rumpole takes over the case and the Old Bailey is scandalized. One of the old barristers in Rumpoles group chides Horace for getting the lead chair (actually the only chair) in the trial by stating that he had been a barrister for 15 years before getting to lead a case!
Although John Mortimer was a criminal barrister in his younger days, he doesnt let the law get too heavy; theres always a joke or some pithy sarcasm around the corner. Some of the best lines in a Rumpole book are in the repartee between Horace and she who must be obeyed (aka Hilda, his wife).
Having read a number of these books, it is nice to see how Horace started his career. No matter how other barristers try to mold him into their likenesses (as self-satisfied, lazy and even corrupt lawyers), Rumpole always believes in the innocence of his client (until proven otherwise). He keeps overturning rocks until he finds all the dirty little secrets that have lead to murder.
Rumpole has been telling tales about the Old Bailey for some 40 years most of them talking about Rumpole hiding from the shadow of retirement. Thus, it is a delight to see a young Rumpole in this story. It is the 1950s and Horace has been a barrister for a mere 18 months.
This particular book is the story of how a young white wig Horace tackled his first important case the Penge Bungalow Murders. It is also the story of how Hilda (daughter of Horaces boss), managed to snare Rumpole into marriage.
Through an odd set of circumstances, Rumpole takes over the case and the Old Bailey is scandalized. One of the old barristers in Rumpoles group chides Horace for getting the lead chair (actually the only chair) in the trial by stating that he had been a barrister for 15 years before getting to lead a case!
Although John Mortimer was a criminal barrister in his younger days, he doesnt let the law get too heavy; theres always a joke or some pithy sarcasm around the corner. Some of the best lines in a Rumpole book are in the repartee between Horace and she who must be obeyed (aka Hilda, his wife).
Having read a number of these books, it is nice to see how Horace started his career. No matter how other barristers try to mold him into their likenesses (as self-satisfied, lazy and even corrupt lawyers), Rumpole always believes in the innocence of his client (until proven otherwise). He keeps overturning rocks until he finds all the dirty little secrets that have lead to murder.
