Rumpole and the Angel of Death

Rumpole of the Bailey #10

by John Mortimer, Patrick Tull (Narrated by), Jill Tanner (Narrated by)

In John Mortimer's latest collection of Rumpole stories the comic, courageous, and corpulent "great defender of muddled and sinful humanity" is joined by a winning cast of villains and victims in tales whose wry humor and sparkling wit deftly send up the British legal system. In Rumpole and the Angel of Death our hero achieves new, resounding triumphs over the forces of prejudice and mean-mindedness. "Rumpole and the Way through the Woods" involves Rumpole in the world of hunters and the hunted, animal rights and human wrongs. In "Rumpole and the Rights of Man," he finds at the European Court of Human Rights that international justice is as fallible as the domestic variety. And for the first time, Hila, She Who Must Be Obeyed, tells a story all her own. This richly entertaining volume will delight fans who have been waiting, Rumpoleless, for more than two years, and will convert new adherents to the faith.

These six stories include:
Hilda's Story.
Rumpole and the Angel of Death.
Rumpole and the Little Boy Lost.
Rumpole and the Model Prisoner.
Rumpole and the Rights of Man.
Rumpole and the Way Through the Woods.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Short Stories, Humor, Crime, British Literature, Audiobook

Audio Cassette

First published October 26, 1995

About the author

John Clifford Mortimer was a novelist, playwright and former practising barrister. Among his many publications are several volumes of Rumpole stories and a trilogy of political novels, Paradise Postponed, Titmuss Regained and The Sound of Trumpets, featuring Leslie Titmuss - a character as brilliant as Rumpole. John Mortimer received a knighthood for his services to the arts in 1998.

Series:
Rumpole of the Bailey
Rapstone Chronicles

Reviews

[Jason Koivu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of my favorite of the Rumpole series. Some outdated notions, that were "fine" then but now are difficult to swallow, made Rumpole a less-than-sympathetic character at times in ...Angel of Death. There were also some lines of dialogue that didn't work for me. These were usually statements that felt forced through timing or mischaracterization. I've read about a dozen books by Mortimer, who used a formula, a winning one but a formula nonetheless, so after a few books they become a little "samey". This one rode the formula hard. I was able to guess most of the mysteries (the book is broken in a handful of short, slightly interconnected stories) a few pages in. But otherwise, this is probably perfectly fine for most readers. If I'd read this years ago as one of my first exposures to Rumpole, I probably would've been a-ok with it.

[Janette · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom gave me this book. I wasn't sure how I would like it (mom and I don't always have the same taste in books) but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the quirky main character. Seriously, if you had told me that I would want to live through the story from the point of view of a stodgy old guy, I wouldn't have believed you, but the author not only makes it work, he makes it work brilliantly. Now I'm wishing I could do stodgy old guys as well.

I'm not only keeping the book, as soon as I get through my four enormous stacks of books and the boxes full, I will find more books about Rumpole.

[Illiterate · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hilda's story disappoints as the series’ humor comes from Horace's voice. Has the balance between Rumpole’s liberal and crusty sides tilted to the latter?

[Alison C · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Rumpole and the Angel of Death" is a collection of 6 stories featuring the late John Mortimer’s immortal creation, Horace Rumpole. I don’t know if these were previously published, for example in magazines, or if they were original to this volume printed in 1995, but I do know that Rumpole is best read at short story or novella length, as that seems to be Mortimer’s greatest strength. These six stories include “Rumpole and the Model Prisoner,” “Rumpole and the Way Through the Woods,” “Hilda’s Story” (told by Rumpole’s wife, also known as She Who Must Be Obeyed), “Rumpole and the Little Boy Lost,” “Rumpole and the Rights of Man” (which takes an extreme reversal of expectations at the very end) and “Rumpole and the Angel of Death.” Mortimer’s writing is humourous and witty, while also making some rather pointed comments about political correctness and other quirks of our times; recommended, especially if you enjoyed the British television series from the last century featuring Leo McKern as the title character.

[Daniel Bensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

--a crotchety old barrister pleads for the defense, which is all he knows how to do.

I listened to Rumpole way back in middle school, then forgot about him entirely until just this month. I'm going to have to go back to the others, but these more recent stories were especially fun. I get to see what Rumpole thinks of the EU, animal rights activists, and euthanasia enthusiasts. Of course, what he thinks is "you can't prove they did anything wrong."

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a great pleasure

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 2 out of 5]

You'd think that somewhere in the midst of six stories' worth of decently drawn characters, John Mortimer could have sketched one who was admirable or at least likeable, but no dice. I was rather expecting to enjoy my first Rumpole and then enjoy working my way through the many other titles in the series at my leisure. Alas, 'twas not to be and 'twill not be. The relationship between Horace and Hilda was particularly unbearable. Who wants to marinate in a bitter old couple's persistent mutual ugliness toward each other? Not I. What's odd is that I've watched so many of the TV episodes without so negative a reaction as I had to this book. There's something endearing about the onscreen Rumpole that I just couldn't find here.

The reader was good.

[Peter Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six Rumpole stories here, four of which reward us with that comfortable and wonderful feeling of having new episodes of the Leo McKern TV version of Rumpole back to amuse and entertain us once again. Two stories take a different approach and one of those pays off when She Who Must Be Obeyed gets to present her version of a case, and her role in it. Hilda, sorry John Mortimer, delivers a great tale.

Only one story “Rumpole and the Rights of Man” fails to deliver. It replicates a scenario Mortimer has used before (in “Rumpole and the Golden Thread”) when Horace is flattered and taken out of the country, and possibly out of his depth, into a case hedged around by international political plotting. However, unlike “Rumpole and the Golden Thread”, both Rumpole and the reader remain out of their depth for the whole story. It has to be explained to an equally perplexed Rumpole and reader in a rush in the fourth paragraph from the end. However I won’t let that one failure prevent me from giving the rest of this collection five stars.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Rumpole of the Bailey series and this collection is excellent.

o Rumpole and the Model Prisoner: A model prisoner who organizes Shakespeare plays and is one week from release is accused of attacking a guard.

o Rumpole and the Way through the Woods: An animal rights advocate is accused of murdering a fox hunter.

o Hilda's Story: Rumpole refuses to count this as his story since Hilda is the one who solves this case.

o Rumpole and the Little Boy Lost: A little boy is kidnapped causing a big splash in the news. A woman is accused of the kidnapping because her own baby had died.

o Rumpole and the Rights of Man: Rumpole defends an Iranian accused of murdering a man in the subway. Racist statements by the judge allows Rumpole to appeal.

o Rumpole and the Angel of Death: Rumpole is defending a pro-euthanasia doctor on a charge of murdering Rumpole's old colleague, Chippy.

I think I've listened to some of these episodes before, or maybe not. Loved them all, and I will probably listen again.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rumpole even features Hilda, aka She who must be obeyed, in one of these short stories. In others, he searches out the truth even if it means those nearest and dearest won't be happy with the results. In all of them, we find his special brand of wit and charm.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entertaining collection of stories featuring Rumpole the defender of the underdog. One of the stories is even from Hilda's point of view. Listened to the audio version which was narrated by Bill Wallis who always does a great job with the characters.

[Glen Creason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always light and fun these tales pass quickly but are peppered with wit and Rumpole genius. A perfect way to escape from the madness that is today's America...

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

My idea of end of the day happiness is a chapter of Rumpole.

[JZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much as I have enjoyed the BBC productions of the stories, the actual stories are more delightful. The one that Hilda tells is my favorite of the 12 here.

[David Dowdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Q: Who carries the torch for the common man/woman while making beans?
Q: Who unflinchingly proclaims his client's innocence until they are proven guilty?
Q: Who often (nearly too late) discovers his client is neither common nor innocent and yet pleads their case?
Q: Who relishes standing up in the Old Bailey on his hind feet prattling out comeuppance to his most wise and learned friends aka unwise and stupid judges and prosecutors?
Q: Who is that Wordsworth-quoting, cock-sure barrister who makes friends of enemies and worse enemies of enemies while charges of narcissism are disproved by his character?

A: He Who Must Be Correct

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another very enjoyable collection of Rumpole of the Bailey short stories. Rumpole defends an doctor accused of euthanasia. Rumpole defends an animal rights activist accused of killing a fox hunter. Rumpole is called to the international human rights court in Strasbourg to defend an alleged terrorist who murdered someone on a London subway. She who must not be named, Rumpole's wife Hilda, helps him solve a case. Lots of fun.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Rumpole and the Model Prisoner" - Rumpole lost, but the client won.
"Rumpole and the Way Through the Woods" - The murderer escaped justice & didn't get punished. Disappointing.
"Hilda's Story" - Hilda solved a case quite brilliantly.
"Rumpole and the Little Boy Lost" - Child kidnapping & newspaper scandal. Won.
"Rumpole and the Rights of Man" - Rumpole defending human rights in Europe. Won, but not to his satisfaction.
"Rumpole and the Angel of Death" - About euthanasia. Won. Rather sad.

[Mark Rudd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usual nonsense, but it makes much better reading with him as an old man.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of fun stories about Rumpole

[M-N · Rating 5 out of 5]

as with all rumpoles brilliant

[CQM · Rating 5 out of 5]

More great stuff from Mortimer and Rumpole. You know what to expect although Hilda's Story is the first time a story isn't told by Horace...

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jim Becker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny

[Mark McTague · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rumpole never fails to amuse.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

g read

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a delight to return to Rumpole, as these store always remind me of great family times. This collection is fun and clips along, with even Hilda penning a good chapter.

[Ricky Balas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Rumpole.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Rumpole - a selection of cases.

[Andrew Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

P G Wodehouse at The Old Bailey. Witty, charming and thoroughly Jeeves and Wooster practicing Law

[Doug Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rumpole and the Angel of Death is a 1995 book of short stories, part of the Rumpole of the Bailey series.   There are six mysteries, featuring Horace Rumpole, a barrister who takes on "hopeless" cases, legal aid clients, and anyone needing legal representation for a fair and just trial.       These stories raise discussions on animal protection, human rights, gender awareness, euthanasia, and racism.    The stories are laced with comic elements, interesting characters, and ethical issues, set in the courtroom of the Old Bailey.   Rumpole is one of the most interesting and entertaining characters in the mystery canon.

Both the books and the television series are recommended.    Rating - 4.5/5 stars.