For the first time, Rumpole's heroics for the defense are narrated in the form of a novella instead of short stories. I found this to be a much-improved format. The plot is that Rumpole has retired, accidentally, and decides to manuver himself back into practice and chambers by taking on a fantastic murder.
The entire book is not one case, however, but rather a continuing narrative in which he takes on a number of different defenses. Alas, Mortimer begins reusing some of his old plots, but the new formal and increased depth of each chapter (nee story) make it that much more interesting.
The best subplot involves a dirty books case. Rumpole brings his work home and has several misunderstandings with She Who Must Be Obeyed as a result.
The book makes frequent references to the older stories, so I would not recommend it as an opening Rumpole-experience, but I enjoyed this novella much more than any of the previous short stories.
Rating:
Not the best