Rumpole of the Bailey deserves to take his place among the great barristers of literature. Like Trollope's Chaffanbrass he knows nothing of the law…. Like Dickens's Serjeant Buzfuz he plies his trade on behalf of worthless clients by telling each new jury that never before has he approached a case with such feelings of deep emotion and heavy responsibility…. The stories written by John Mortimer about Rumpole are already classics of legal literature, at least in the same class as A. P. Herbert's Uncommon Law and Theo Mathew's Forensic Fables. (p. 789)

[Regina V. Rumpole] contains several more short tales and one longer story. It will give further satisfaction to those who know Horace Rumpole and will provide a perfect introduction for anyone who has yet to make his acquaintance.

In addition to Rumpole, the entire cast of legal London is portrayed in caricatures that are wickedly accurate…. John...