A review by hawkeyegough
The Trials of Rumpole by John Mortimer

funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is the second book in a series of law cases involving the defense attorney Horace Rumpole, and this book is even better than the impressive first installment. I found that I really liked John Mortimer's snapshots of Britain in the '70s and '80s and learning some differences between the English and American legal systems. I found it somewhat interesting to learn that Rumpole takes advantage of quite a bit more leeway in leading witnesses in court than goes on in contemporary American law novels and television shows. Whether this is a product of the differences between our legal systems or the decades between Rumpole's time and ours, I can't say. Additionally, I really liked Mortimer's ability to parallel a story arc within the case at hand in each chapter and a corresponding story arc in Rumpole's own personal life. For example, there is a point at which a crime family tries to encourage one of their members to retire none too gently, and Rumpole experiences something similar within his own career. Overall, these books have been pretty easy to digest and quick reads. They're also a lot of fun, and the main character's wit, compassion, and sense of humor go a long way with me and provided quite a bit of enjoyment. I look forward to reading the rest of these books and will get started on that right away.