Rumpole: The Gentle Art of Blackmail & Other Stories

By: John Mortimer

Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch, full cast, Timothy West

Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

Benedict Cumberbatch plays the young Horace Rumpole in this second stellar collection of court cases, also starring Timothy West as the older Rumpole.

'Rumpole and the Man of God': It 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....

©2018 BBC Worldwide Ltd (P)2018 BBC Worldwide Ltd

Another series of Mysteries acted out amazingly!!!

These have become my new favorite past time. I have always loved radio shows, it's so refreshing to be able to listen to them again!

Crying baby Soooooo annoying

The performance was marred by the over use of a crying baby. The hacking Rumpole and laughing lady were also over used.

A Struggle To listen to all parts

If you enjoy the sounds of slurping, gulping and smacking of lips, this is the performance for you. There are many scenes that occur in a cafe and the sounds are insufferable.

Wonderful acting

Great stories, I was able to see the actors in every way in my imagination

You had me at Rumpole!

Brilliant performances, brilliant story, amazing way to spend my winter afternoon! I must have more!

A Great Serving of Whit and Satire

The cast fleshes out Rumpole’s various tales in an enticing manner. I’ve purchased all three of the Rumpole compilations and listen to them while working, cooking and even sleeping. And having a small Bluetooth speaker makes it that much better!

Disappointed

I did not know how to rate by the stars. I am profoundly tone deaf. On the phone. I know "Hi Mon" is my daughter as I only have 1 child, and "Hi dear, is my husband. And 4 readers/narrators. So, with all the music, which sounds like small creatures being, this was not for me.eviscerated

fantastic book!

i love rumpole of the bailey and this is a great cast ....10/10 .....definatley worth a listen

Better than Excellent!

I haven't laughed so much in ages! The narration is Brilliant! The stories are wonderful! Compulsive listening! Have just finished this, my first Audible Rumpole, and I am about to buy my next!! Can't live without Rumpole! Recommend 100 p.c.!

Thank you Audible!!

Absolutely loved it. Benedict is brilliant.

Absolutely fantastic brilliant love it. Timothy West as well. It's a must, must listening audio book.

Timeless Classic

I loved this book. The narration with Timothy West as old Rumpole and Benedict Cumberbatch as the younger works wonderfully.

classic rumpole

great story. delivered deliciously by the actors. especially like cumberbach. some of the views expressed are rather dated....

Not a classic

For me, Cumberbatch gets the relationship between Rumpole and Hilda horribly wrong. There is too much overt hostility, not the simmering tension that the ITV series portrayed so well (and Maurice Denham too in the earlier BBC Radio productions) This completely lacks subtlety and detracts from the enjoyment of some very good stories.

Rumpole

Great fun to listen too. Humors and a good story. Very well read. Would listen to it again.