Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders

By: John Mortimer

Narrated by: Bill Wallis

Horace Rumpole - cigar-smoking, claret-drinking, Wordsworth-spouting defender of some unlikely clients - often speaks of the great murder trial, which revealed his talents as an advocate and made his reputation down at the Bailey when he was still a young man.

Now, for the first time, the sensational story of the Penge Bungalow Murders case is told in full: how, shortly after the war, Rumpole took on the seemingly impossible task of defending young Simon Jerold, accused of murdering his father and his father's friend with a German officer's gun. And how the inexperienced young brief was left alone to pursue the path of justice, in a case that was to echo through the Bailey for years to come.

©2004 John Mortimer (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Love RUMPOLE

Have listened to many times because of all the twists and names to remember what happened. Very good. Wish there were more RUMPOLE stories.

Loved it!

This is a terrific story, exceptionally well told. I listen on my way home from work, in my car. Made the traffic jams bearable! terrific storyline and great intelligence and wit.
I will listen to more Rumpoles from now on.

Finally, the infamous Penge Bungalow Murder!!

This is John Mortimer's beloved character's quintessence. The case Horace Rumpole did ( alone and without a leader) that was his shining star. Quite humourous at points and always intelligent, this is one of the best books in my collection.

Best Rumpole Yet

We never hear the full story of Gregory Parsloe-Parsloe and the prawns. Nor do we get more than hints of what happened to Lord Ickenham and his nephew Pongo at the dog races. References to these elusive events play in and out of P. G Wodehouse’s stories like imps, tempting us to imagine what might have happened. Lucky for us, then, that John Mortimer, after interlarding his first twelve Rumpole short story collections with allusions to the Penge Bungalow Murders, finally decided to sit down and give us the full details.

This thirteenth installment proves the best of the series. Maybe because it is a novel; a single, sustained story arc. Or because we discover the origins of so much that is familiar: Bonny Bernard, Pomeroy’s Wine Bar, small cigars, the Timson family, Chateau Thames Embankment, She Who Must Be Obeyed and, most illuminating, the genesis of Rumpole’s passion for criminal defense. It's Trollope's dictum on the tedium of "mutton" (the necessity of backstory before we can enjoy the more enticing courses) in reverse; here the mutton tastes even better.

Though to these American ears he seems a little muddled in spots, Bill Wallis proves something of a revelation, too. Having only heard him read history and Medieval poetry, I had no idea he had so many voices inside him.

Penge Bungalow Murders

Again a wonderful listen but not his best. If you are a Rumpole fan you will have to listen to this case, often mentioned in his other works. Bill Wallis does a great job as the narrator. I highly recommend all the Rumpole books.

The story of Rumpole's first case

A really enjoyable story of Rumpole's first case - the penge bungalow murder - Mortimer did very well telling the story which is alluded to a thousand times in prior stories.

The New Voice of Rumpole

Would you listen to Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders again? Why?

Would I listen to it again? What a silly question. Not only would I listen to it again, I PLAN on listening again...and again and again. Why? Because John Mortimer's flagship character, Horace Rumpole, is one of the greatest, if not THE greatest literary invention since Falstaff, only Horace is far more likable.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not really. If you've read any Rumpole books, you already know he's going to win, but it was fun finding out how he did it.

What does Bill Wallis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Bill Wallis, as I implied in my title is the new voice of Rumpole, the late Leo McKern having been the holder of that title heretofore. As much as McKern embodied the Rumpole character however, I doubt that even he, great actor that he was, could have surpassed Mr. Wallis in his ability to create a voice and a distinct personality for each and every character in the book. His was a truly awesome performance.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I smirked and tittered throughout. I laughed aloud, many, many times.

Any additional comments?

A must have for all true Rumpoleans.

Excellent story about the history of Rumpole

As a longtime reader and watcher of Rumpole I found this background story entertaining and quite informative.

The Truth Will Out

Finally, after decades of hearing about this famous trial conducted by the Bard of the 'Bailey, "alone, and without a leader", I know the truth about the absent Leader.
Of course, I have know nearly from the start that Rumpole hardly needed a Leader and I had guessed that SWMBO's dearest "Daddy" might be at the heart of the absenteeism, but it is another thing to know the truth. And, as every good trial lawyer will tell you, the truth will come out, no matter what we might do to impede it (albeit in "the best traditions of the Bar"). Still, like all great secrets, shrouded in the mists of myth for decades, when it outs, the truth is not always as surprising as we might hope. That's how I felt about this title.
(There is a bit of a SPOILER coming, so skip the next paragraph now if you don't want to know).
The plot is as good as ever and Rumpole is as cynically and brutally brilliant as ever. But, like all great yarns, it might have been better for this one not to be told. For once I found myself analysing the evidence, which I've never felt the need to do with Mortimer's previous excursions along crime alley. I felt a hint of resentment that the bloodstains I heard so much about, and about we knew so little, were not front and centre. However, I was pleased to learn of the origins of the relationship between Rumpole and Chateau Thames Embankment and his defence of the ever grateful Timsons.
The late Bill Wallis' characterisations are terrific, especially the women. His Hilda is wonderful, but only to be out done by his Dodo. His Rumpole is good too, but no one can capture Horace like Leo McKern, of course. That is not a criticism however, merely a fact.
Again, I am pleased that I listened to this tale, but in the end, if I did not know the whole truth, I would be only a little less enriched.