The best of Rumpole is represented in this selection of 14 stories, the first published in 1978, the last in 2004. And as an added bonus, the book ends with the fragment of a new Rumpole novel Sir John was working on when he died in January 2009.

John Mortimer's autobiographical play is the affectionate portrait of a son's relationship with his father. Growing up in the shadow of the brilliant barrister, who adored his garden and hated visitors, and whose blindness was never mentioned, the son continually yearns for his father's love and respect.

Performed in London and on American television and stage with What Shall We Tell Caroline? A seedy lawyer has been waiting for years to make a grandstand defence. He is assigned to defend an innocuous little man accused of murdering his wife. The man cheerfully admits his guilt; he simply couldn't stand his wife's constant joking and laughing. The trial ends and the verdict is a foregone conclusion. The lawyer begs his client to let him appeal. Ironically the man is reprieved because of the ineptitude of his defence.

Julian Rhind-Tutt takes on the role of Rumpole in this fifth collection of cracking court cases. Rumpole on Trial Suffering from toothache, Rumpole is in no mood for his client's boring testimony or Justice Gwent-Evans' impatience. But when he argues with the judge, he is warned in no uncertain terms about his future conduct. Soon, Rumpole finds himself on trial and facing the end of his career... Rumpole and Hilda Rumpole's long-suffering wife Hilda (`She Who Must Be Obeyed') narrates a fascinating tale of murder and romance that Horace would prefer to remain untold, and gives...

Julian Rhind-Tutt stars as Horace Rumpole in this sixth collection of courtroom dramas. Rumpole and the Way Through the Woods Rumpole is surprised to discover he's a dog lover at heart - and perplexed as he defends a man who insists he's guilty of murder. Rumpole and the Prosecution Rumpole's client asks him to do something he's always sworn he will not do - appear for the prosecution. But this case is a little different: the injured party is dead and cannot speak for herself. Rumpole and the Quacks It's 1966, and Rumpole meets a wise and kindly Asian Doctor who, unexpectedly...

'Rumpole, like Jeeves and Sherlock Holmes, is immortal' P. D. James Horace Rumpole - dishevelled barrister at law, drinker of claret and smoker of cigars, inveterate quoter of Wordsworth and eternal defender of the underdog - is one of the greatest English comic characters ever created. This is the original volume of Rumpole stories, introducing us to the legal triumphs that first made the Old Bailey Hack's name, along with a host of choice villains, frequent forays to Pommeroy's wine bar and, of course, his formidable, magisterial wife Hilda, She Who Must Be Obeyed. 'I thank heaven...