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  • Rumpole and the Reign of Terror

  • By: John Mortimer
  • Narrated by: Bill Wallis
  • Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (105 ratings)

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Rumpole and the Reign of Terror

By: John Mortimer
Narrated by: Bill Wallis
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Summary

In the dark days of the war on terror, only one man can be counted on to fight injustice, defend the innocent, and insist on a fair and decent trial for all, contrary to New Labour's new anti-terrorism laws. Rumpole's wig may be yellowing at the roots, his gown might be in tatters, but the oldest inhabitant of 4 Equity Court has no use for the word 'retirement'.

There's the larcenous Timson family to defend, suicide bombers to dodge, Pommeroy's Wine Bar to frequent, and the financing of the Rumpole household - with Hilda's indulgence in luxury cleaning products - to look after. But when the beautiful Tiffany Timson's husband is arrested on suspicion of terrorism, Rumpole prepares to drop everything and take on his biggest challenge yet.

Horrified to learn that the accused doesn't even know what he's charged with, he determines to insist upon a fair trial for the Pakistani doctor. But battling against the new legislation, and the slippery Home Secretary, proves a tricky task. And when She Who Must Be Obeyed starts locking herself in the box room, 'minding her own business', Rumpole finds himself losing the plot, clueless about the goings on, even in his own mansion flat. Is the Anglophile doctor really an Al Qaeda agent? Will Rumpole discover Hilda's secret before it's too late? Will the Timson family ever forgive him for defending a 'terrorist'?

©2007 John Mortimer (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
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What listeners say about Rumpole and the Reign of Terror

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  • Overall
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Very funny even after all these years

This is the second Rumpole I've read. The first and the last it seems spanning 30 odd years and the humour and wit is still as sharp as ever. Very happy to hear some chapters from She Who Must Be Obeyed too. Narration just as you'd expect and what is needed for the pomp of the Old Bailey.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A treat for Rumpole fans

If you're an admirer of John Mortimer 's creation you're going to love this. And Bill Wallis is the perfect narrator.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A fabulous tale. One of the best.

Essential Rumpole. Fill a generous cup with Pommerys very ordinary claret, and settle back. Splendid.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

Again a brilliant account of Rumpoles courtroom drama and his witty account of various clients and colleagues.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Rumpole as ever never disappoints.

Bill Wallis is a masterful narrator and does full justice to the story, the characterisations and voices. One of the best listens in the Rumpole library.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Good old Rumpole

Truly lovely listen.
If you like Rumpole you will enjoy this.
I have downloaded the next.
Enjoy

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Rumpole Rises Triumphant

Another delicious encounter with Old Bailey maestro, Horace Rumpole! Hearing more of the voice of 'She Who Must Be Obeyed' was fascinating, and the excellent Bill Wallis did full justice to all voices, as ever - all puns intended!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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highly entertaining.

very entertaining, and enjoyable,i could hardly put the book down, expert narration , very amusing at times.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Terrible audio quality

A combination of bad audio quality and Bill Wallis's performance makes this recording very hard to understand. Wallis is a good actor, and he characterises Hilda, Dr Khan and the Timsons well, but his Rumpole is given a fruity voice which makes him almost incomprehensible.

This is a later book, written after the TV series had finished, so Mortimer was able to take liberties with some long-running characters. Many people feel that the series jumped the shark, and that Mortimer should have left it where it was, but I disagree. The later stories are always interesting, sometimes moving, and always convey Mortimer's ideas. His excellent prose and wit don't fade, either.

Yes, the Rumpoles, Dodo and the Mad Bull are all now about 103, in a world of "word processors" and unwelcome changes to the law. But like Hercule Poirot, they are frozen at the age of about 65. And the human heart is eternally young.

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1 person found this helpful