Rumpole and the Reign of Terror

Barrister Horace Rumpole, though seemingly close to his demise a couple of books ago, is back in chambers and hale and hearty in this outing, still spouting lines from the Oxford Book of English Verse. Rumpole has been hired to defend a Pakistani doctor who has lived and practiced medicine in London for years. The doctor has been arrested by the British authorities after letters were found in his desk showing him to have been involved in terrorist activities. Though Rumpole has personal doubts about his client's innocence, he is determined to give the doctor the best defense he can muster.

Many of the series regulars show up in this tale-Claude Erskine-Brown, Soapy Sam Ballard, the Timsons (a family of crooks), Judge Bullingham, and, of course, Rumpole's wife, Hilda (she who must be obeyed). As with other Rumpole books, there are subplots here that Mortimer weaves into the main story line. Long-time Rumpole readers may guess who the villains are, but that hardly matters at all. Author John Mortimer mixes mystery, humor, and social commentary to come up with a joyous stew of a story.