Audiobooks by John Mortimer

Rumpole: The Golden Thread & other stories: Three BBC Radio 4 dramatisations

Three thrilling full-cast dramas starring Julian Rhind-Tutt as the irrepressible Horace Rumpole Rumpole and the Golden Thread In Africa defending an old pupil in a murder trial, Rumpole is arrested. When Phillida arrives to bail him out, a spark between them is rekindled... Rumpole and the Official Secret Rumpole defends a civil servant accused of selling secrets and is embroiled in a wine fraud. Meanwhile, Phillida tells Rumpole she plans to leave her husband and asks him to keep it a secret, and Horace considers what that might mean. Rumpole and the Quality of Life Ballard's wedding looms and Rumpole faces a life-changing decision about his own marriage. Hilda expects him to join her in Cornwall, but Phillida hopes he will leave to be with her at last... For fifteen years, Rumpole has fought, won and occasionally lost myriad cases - and fallen in and out of love with both wife Hilda and 'the Portia of our Chambers', Phillida Erskine-Brown. These three episodes leave us guessing until the very end - will Rumpole finally leave 'She Who Must be Obeyed' for Phillida? Julian Rhind-Tutt stars as Rumpole, with Jasmine Hyde as Hilda, Nigel Anthony as Claude Erskine-Brown and Cathy Sara as Phillida.

John Clifford Mortimer, John Mortimer (Author), Julian Rhind-Tutt (Narrator)

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Rumpole: The Way Through the Woods & other stories: Three BBC Radio 4 dramatisations

A sixth collection of captivating courtroom dramas, starring Julian Rhind-Tutt as Horace Rumpole Rumpole and the Way Through the Woods Rumpole makes friends with a dog named Sir Lancelot, and finds himself defending a hunt saboteur who claims to be guilty of murder. But Horace is convinced that the true culprit is among the hunting fraternity. Rumpole for the Prosecution Rumpole's personal commandment is 'Thou Shalt Not Prosecute' - but he breaks this rule to take on a private prosecution brought by a dead girl's father. However, an obscure literary reference and a piece of evidence that doesn't fit bring his defender's instincts to the fore... Rumpole and the Quacks Temporarily indisposed, Rumpole consults a charming Indian doctor who later asks for Horace's help when he is accused of molesting a patient. Meanwhile, Rumpole's friendship with Phillida Erskine-Brown deepens as both their marriages hit a tricky patch. Julian Rhind-Tutt stars as Rumpole, with Jasmine Hyde as Hilda, Nigel Anthony as Claude Erskine-Brown and Cathy Sara as Phillida.

John Clifford Mortimer, John Mortimer (Author), Jasmine Hyde, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Nigel Anthony (Narrator)

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Rumpole: On Trial & other stories: Four BBC Radio 4 dramatisations

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 Rumpole - and us - a glimpse of her true, passionate nature. Rumpole and Memories of Christmas Past Rumpole spends an unexpectedly rewarding Christmas in Norfolk; discusses the spirit of Christmas with the Mad Monk; and learns that the season of goodwill is shared by barristers and criminals alike. Rumpole and the New Year's Resolutions Rumpole has an interesting encounter with Santa Claus at a Chambers Christmas party, finds himself on babysitting duty after a blackmail trial, and attends a traditional British panto - where he recognises a familiar face. Starring Julian Rhind-Tutt as Rumpole, Jasmine Hyde as Hilda and Nigel Anthony as Claude Erskine-Brown. A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

John Clifford Mortimer, John Mortimer (Author), , Jasmine Hyde, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Nigel Anthony (Narrator)

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Rumpole: The Age of Miracles & other stories: Three BBC Radio 4 dramatisations

Benedict Cumberbatch plays Horace Rumpole in this fourth collection of dramatic court cases Rumpole and the Bubble Reputation Erskine-Brown is working on a sordid ABH and affray case which allegedly occurred in a Soho night club. When he and Rumpole visit the disreputable scene of the crime, they meet Maurice Machin, the editor of the Daily Beacon, whose paper is being sued for libel. Rumpole and the Age of Miracles Hilda's distant relation, The Reverend Timothy Donkin, looks set to be defrocked as Canon of Lawnchester Cathedral unless Rumpole can convince an Ecclesiastical Court that adultery did not take place in the nearby Saint Edithna Hotel. Rumpole and the Tap End Tony Timson finds himself in hot water when charged with the attempted drowning of his wife April, while sharing a bath with her. Rumpole not only defends Tony, but also finds he must protect Judge Guthrie Featherstone QC, who upsets women everywhere with sexist pronouncements about their proper place in the tub.

John Clifford Mortimer, John Mortimer (Author), , Benedict Cumberbatch, Jasmine Hyde, Nigel Anthony (Narrator)

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Rumpole: The Sleeping Partners & other stories: Three BBC Radio 4 dramatisations

Benedict Cumberbatch plays the young, devastatingly acute Horace Rumpole in this third thrilling collection of court casesRumpole and the Old Boy Net: With the help of his new pupil, Miss Phillida Trant, Rumpole must defend Mr Napier Lee, who is charged with blackmail. But the alleged victim of the blackmail went to public school with the defendant, and Mr Lee won't sneak on his old school chum...Rumpole and the Sleeping Partners: After a legal ball in the Savoy Hotel, Rumpole and Hilda argue about Rumpole's drunken behaviour and Rumpole decides to sleep the night on his sofa in chambers - strictly against the rules. But there he finds his colleague Erskine-Brown with Phillida Trant, 'working late'...Rumpole and the Portia of our Chambers: Rumpole comes close to giving up the law when forced to consider the path his life has taken by a combination of his attraction to his pupil Phillida, an unsettling case involving an Irish terrorist, and a visit from an old flame of Hilda's.

John Clifford Mortimer, John Mortimer (Author), , Benedict Cumberbatch, Jasmine Hyde, Timothy West (Narrator)

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Rumpole: The Gentle Art of Blackmail & other stories: Four BBC Radio 4 dramatisations

Benedict Cumberbatch plays the young Horace Rumpole in this second stellar collection of court cases, also starring Timothy West as the older RumpoleRumpole and the Man of GodIt is 1959, and Rumpole must defend a clergyman accused of shoplifting who, although he clearly did not commit the crime, is curiously reluctant to be cross-examined under oath. Meanwhile, Hilda (she who must be obeyed) has big news…Rumpole and the Explosive Evidence Rumpole defends a well-known safe blower and exposes the underhand behaviour of one Dirty Dickerson, a senior police officer who is quite prepared to tamper with evidence.Rumpole and the Gentle Art of Blackmail In 1964 Rumpole returns to Oxford, where he studied law, to defend a young gardener who is accused of blackmailing the Master of St Joseph’s College. Their friendship had provoked rumours of homosexuality – still illegal in those days – and the Master says he has been threatened with a public accusation.Rumpole and the Expert Witness Rumpole is asked to defend a GP, Dr Ned Dacre, who is accused of murdering his wife, Sally. The plot thickens when the local pathologist turns out to have history with Dr Ned…

John Clifford Mortimer, John Mortimer (Author), , Benedict Cumberbatch, Timothy West (Narrator)

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Rumpole: The Penge Bungalow Murders & other stories: Three BBC Radio 4 dramatisations

Benedict Cumberbatch plays the young, feisty, devastatingly acute Horace Rumpole in this collection of cracking cases, also starring Timothy West as the older Rumpole. Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders: It is the fifties, and two war heroes have been shot dead. Defending the suspect is deemed hopeless, so the case is handed to a novice. But the novice's superiors didn't count on the tenacity and wit of the young and hungry Horace Rumpole, as he defends the accused alone and without a leader for the very first time. This two-part adaptation of the novel by John Mortimer also marks the beginning of Rumpole's life-long liason with Hilda ("She Who Must Be Obeyed"). Rumpole and the Family Pride: We rejoin Rumpole and Hilda in the late 1950s, when they have been married for a year or two. Hilda's cousin lives with her husband, the 17th Baron Sackbut, in Sackbut Castle on the Yorkshire Moors. Hilda and Rumpole are invited to the castle when a body is found in the grounds. Meanwhile, in London, Rumpole defends a tramp who has confessed to a triple-murder. Rumpole and the Eternal Triangle: When Rumpole and Hilda attend a concert performed by The Casterini Trio, Rumpole is surprised to be approached by Elizabeth Casterini - the trio's beautiful violinist. But then the Trio's cellist, Tom Randall, is murdered. Elizabeth's husband is arrested, and Rumpole agrees to defend him at the Old Bailey.

John Clifford Mortimer, John Mortimer (Author), , Benedict Cumberbatch, Cathy Sara, Jasmine Hyde, Timothy West (Narrator)

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Rumpole: The Splendours and Miseries of an Old Bailey Hack

Maurice Denham stars as John Mortimer's famous comic creation Rumpole of the Bailey.Defender of the underdog, friend of South London villains and scourge of QCs, much-loved barrister Horace Rumpole was first brought to life on television, and in 1980 BBC Radio 4 introduced him to the airwaves for a 13-episode series.In these delightful full-cast courtroom dramas, the claret-drinking, poetry-quoting lawyer recalls his colourful career at the Old Bailey, while being supported at home by the redoubtable Hilda ('She Who Must Be Obeyed'). From a disputed will case to a GP accused of murder, Rumpole must exercise all his talents as an advocate to fight for justice...Includes Rumpole and the Confession of Guilt, Rumpole and the Dear Departed, Rumpole and the Gentle Art of Blackmail, Rumpole and the Rotten Apple, Rumpole and the Man of God, Rumpole and the Defence of Guthrie Featherstone, Rumpole and the Show Folk, Rumpole and the Fascist Beast, Rumpole and the Case of Identity, Rumpole and the Expert Witness, Rumpole and the Course of True Love, Rumpole and the Perils of the Sea and Rumpole and the Age for Retirement.Among the supporting cast are Margot Boyd, Michael Maloney, Michael Elphick, Angela Thorne, Geoffrey Bayldon and Saeed Jaffrey.

John Clifford Mortimer, John Mortimer (Author), , Margot Boyd, Maurice Denham (Narrator)

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Rumpole and the Golden Thread

In this engaging collection of stories, Rumpole continues to deftly juggle the vagaries of law, the ambiguities of crime, and the contradictions of the human heart in his death-defying performances on behalf of justice. The irreverent, claret-swilling, poetry-spouting barrister takes on suspect connoisseurs in the art world, journeys deep into the throbbing heart of Africa, dabbles in some feminist politics, decides the countryside is a very dangerous place, and incurs the wrath of his wife, She Who Must Be Obeyed. “Once detective-fiction heroes enter your mental landscape, they can seem as real as your own friends and family. For a lot of people, Horace Rumpole is just such a vivid and familiar figure.”—Wall Street Journal

John Clifford Mortimer, John Mortimer (Author), Frederick Davidson (Narrator)

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Rumpole and the Angel of Death

Horace Rumpole, the comic, courageous, and corpulent “great defender of muddled and sinful humanity,” is joined by a winning cast of villains and victims in this collection of six tales in which wry humor and sparkling wit deftly send up the British legal system. In Rumpole and the Angel of Death, our hero achieves new, resounding triumphs over the forces of prejudice and mean-mindedness. One adventure involves Rumpole in the world of hunters and the hunted, animal rights and human wrongs, while in another he finds that international justice is as fallible as the domestic variety. And for the first time, Hilda, “She Who Must Be Obeyed,” tells a story all her own. “As always, Mortimer writes with a Wodehousian élan but, unlike Wodehouse, he incorporates a spirited if indirect wrestling with the social and political issues of the day…Rumpole is by turns acutely sensitive and brazenly bullheaded, as Mortimer dances nimbly around thorny subjects with his trademark ease, applying all-knowing wit and painstaking characterization.”—Publishers Weekly

John Mortimer (Author), Frederick Davidson, Wanda McCaddon (Narrator)

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Rumpole for the Defence

John Mortimer (Author), Patrick Tull (Narrator)

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Dunster

John Clifford Mortimer, John Mortimer (Author), David Threlfall (Narrator)

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