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Mr Monk Series, No 14
Lee Goldberg
Obsidian Mystery /NAL
June 5, 2012 / ISBN 978-0451236876
Cozy Mystery / TV Tie-in
Amazon
Reviewed
by Linda Morelli
Lee Goldberg has written episodes for the Monk television series,
is a two-time Edgar Award nominee and the author of the acclaimed
Diagnosis Murder novels, based on the TV series for which he was
a writer and executive producer.
Adrian Monk and Natalie Teeger have been working for three weeks
in Summit, New Jersey, at the invitation of Randy Disher, who married
Sharona, Monk's previous assistant. Randy is now the Chief of Police
of Summit, and has asked Monk and Natalie to become permanent cops
on the force.
When they return to San Francisco to prepare for the move, Natalie
finds that her home has been invaded and there's a dead woman in
her bathtub. Worse yet, the police find stolen money stashed under
Natalie's mattress and she becomes the prime suspect. Monk doesn't
escape a perplexing surprise, for his brother, Ambrose, is in a
panic. Yuki, Ambrose's girlfriend, has disappeared, and being agoraphobic,
he begs Monk and Natalie to find her.
I've always loved the Monk TV series and the funny circumstances
surrounding Monk's problem with OCD and relating to others. Although
this is the first book in the Monk series by Lee Goldberg I've read,
the author has captured the characters to perfection. Monk's OCD
has improved, though he refuses to see the new woman in his life,
who sells products made from animal poop, unless she washes her
hands. At least, he's starting a new relationship. Natalie has also
matured, gaining self confidence in her abilities to start a new
life as a policewoman, though worried about leaving her college-aged-though
self-reliant-daughter behind.
The plot is intriguing and the mystery involved me from the very
beginning, but the greatest joy was the marvelous humor Lee Goldberg
has instilled throughout the novel. I started the book after dinner
and couldn't stop, reading it in bed and waking my husband with
my laughter far too many times to count.
This is a delightful mystery and ranks at the top of the best reads
for me this year.
Reviews of other titles in this series
Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii, No 1 [review]
Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu, No 3 [review]
Mr. Monk Goes To Germany, No 6 [review]
Mr. Monk on Patrol, No 13 [review]
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