John Mortimer

Rumpole has two intriguing cases to occupy him. Is there something fishy about a 12-year-old Peter been given an ASBO for playing football in the street? A young bachelor, prime suspect in the murder of a prostitute, protests his innocence, and Rumpole cannot ignore him. On top of this his colleagues are protesting about the cigars and wine he occassionally enjoys in Chambers!  Book 20 of series.

John Mortimer recounts his childhood in the English countryside, with affectionate portraits of his remote parents - an increasingly unconventional barrister father, whose blindness must never be mentioned, and a vague and endlessly patient mother. As a boy dreaming of a tap-dancing career on the stage, his father pushes him to pursue the law, where Mortimer embarks on the career that was to inspire his hilarious and immortal literary creations.

The story of the competitive friendship of two men from schooldays through to work and marriage. The novel culminates in a trial scene.

The author writes about his life, family and friends with wit, wisdom and tenderness.

A faithful wife and devoted mother finds herself compelled to take extraordinary steps to protect her family when a young actress with ties to her husand is found murdered near their home.

When Simeon Simcox, a socialist clergyman, leaves his fortune to the ruthless Tory MP Leslie Titmuss, his son’s reactions differ wildly. Henry decides to fight the will but Fred decides to investigate Simeon’s past and, in so doing, uncovers the explanation for the legacy.  Book 1 of series.

Rumpole firmly believes that the past is best avoided, but finds it starting to intrude upon the present. Will this all become too much and should he hang up his wig for good?  Book 16 of series.

Rumpole has no special objection to Christmas - except that with the Old Bailey closed, he has no opportunity to exercise his skills in court. But over the course of one unusual holiday, he nonetheless manages to triumph in two very different cases... 

Dragooned into spending Christmas in Norfolk, Rumpole is feeling less than festive. Chilly Coldsands Rectory does not offer much in the way of enjoyment - but a trip to the local church and a surprise encounter with an old acquaintance leads to a God-given opportunity to indulge in a little seasonal, charitable blackmail.

A New Year outing to see Aladdin also provides more excitement than expected. A post-panto drink, some overheard remarks and a glance at the programme put him on the path to solving an audacious crime...

Horace Rumpole often speaks of the great murder trial which revealed his talents as an advocate and made his reputation down at the Bailey when he was still a young man. Here for the first time, the sensational story of the Penge bungalow murders case is told in full.  Book 18 of series.

Rumpole is convalescing in the Primrose Path Nursing Home, and his colleagues don't expect him back. But a dickey ticker won't stop Rumpole, and after sorting out a few dark deeds at Primrose Path, he is soon back in Chambers.  Book 17 of series.

In these seven Christmas stories, the call of justice (and a bit of excitement) leads Rumpole as far afield as a health farm in Norfolk and, nearer to home, a pantomime at the Tufnell Park Empire.  Book 21 of series.

Horace Rumpole is the most erudite, astute, and seldom defeated of barristers in the annals of the Old Bailey. In these 32 dramas, arranged in order of broadcast, four distinguished actors don the wig and white band to portray our hero as he recalls his long, eventful career.

Timothy West takes on the role of Rumpole in these two thrilling dramas featuring the wily magician of the Old Bailey at his implacable best. 

Rumpole on Trial: Rumpole takes up the cause of young Bertie Timson, whose sole 'crime' seems to be playing football in the street. As he endeavours to defend our ancient freedoms, he becomes uneasy about exactly what his wife Hilda is up to in her continuing friendship with a high court judge.

Going for Silk: Having narrowly avoided an ASBO himself, Rumpole hopes to become a QC at last. But first he must turn his attention back to the Timson case, while also preparing to defend a young man charged with the murder of a prostitute.

Timothy West takes on the role of Rumpole in these four delightful dramas featuring the wily barrister.

Rumpole and the Primrose Path: Rumpole exposes criminal practices at the nursing home where he was sent to recuperate after a heart attack. 

Rumpole and the Scales of Justice: When Rumpole defends a senior policeman in court, his love for Shakespeare's Othello and his old acquaintances in the south London criminal fraternity prove very useful. 

Rumpole and the Vanishing Juror: Rumpole is mystified when his most promising juror in a murder trial suddenly disappears… 

Rumpole Redeemed: Invited to dinner at his local prison, Rumpole solves the conundrum of whether an ex-con can be reformed.

Timothy West stars as Rumpole in these four fantastic radio dramas. 

Rumpole and the Teenage Werewolf: Rumpole heads to the Home Counties to defend Ben, a teenager accused of sending emails deemed to be sexually harassing, and of an actual physical attack on a girl. 

Rumpole and the Right to Privacy:  an editor of a local newspaper who is accused of breaching a successful businessman's right to privacy. 

Truth Makes All Things Plain: When the beautiful Tiffany Khan learns that her husband has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism, she calls for Horace Rumpole’s help right away. 

The Past Catches up with us All: As he struggles to win justice for his client, Rumpole finds that his marriage is rather like his waistcoat - straining at the seams.

It is thirty years since Leslie Titmuss first entered Parliament, now as Lord Titmuss he is still a figure of formidable influence in the constituency.  Book 3 of series.

In his paradoxically cheerful and cheering book about growing old gracefully, John Mortimer recounts what it's like to be 75 but feel 11. He describes his hilarious public duties, like chairing the committee to decide who should go on the empty plinth in Trafalgar Square, and also private matters like having to be in a wheelchair at glamorous New Labour parties.

It is high summer and high comedy too, when Molly Pargeter drags her amiable, bickering family to a rented Tuscan villa for the holidays. She is saddled with her father - aged roué and columnist Haverford Downs, a lawyer husband - suspected of infidelity, and three daughters. So begins this elegant story of atmosphere, comedy and mystery.

Proposed new town causes embarrassment for Titmuss now Secretary of State for Planning.  Book 2 of series.