Mr. Monk is Miserable by Lee Goldberg Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Mr. Monk is Miserable
Book Review: One of Lee Goldberg's Best...
Summary: 5 Stars
Having been a big Monk fan for sometime, when I first learned of Lee Goldberg's decision to start publishing Monk books, I was quite thrilled. Now, having read each one he's published, I feel this book, Mr. Monk is Miserable, is probably the best one yet. My reason for saying that is not necessarily due to the premise of this particular book, but I feel that this is his best attempt yet at accurately portraying how I feel Mr. Monk is in the actual TV show. In previous books (and can be read about in my previous reviews for each of those books), I indicated my opinion that Mr. Goldberg went "over the top" on how Monk is in the books compared to the TV show. This book changes all of that...
Well, onto the book itself. The book is a continuation of Mr. Monk Goes to Germany and really starts off where it left off. Natalie is not too happy having gone to Germany and not really being able to have any vacation time. As such, she talks Monk into going to Paris for a vacation. Of course, while they're there (and literally, on the way) people die, and Monk wants to get involved in solving the murder mysteries. Natalie isn't too happy about this as she's wanting nothing more than a vacation. It's actually an interesting "battle" between the two characters, and really just a fun book to read, which is part of the reason I continue to purchase and read these books. Lee Goldberg puts together a nice, quick read that, in my opinion, is a good continuation of the Monk character.
I for one, am looking forward to the next book, due out in July 2009, called Mr. Monk and the Dirty Cop.
As another tidbit for those who may not realize, if you read the author's note at the beginning of the book, Mr. Goldberg actually indicates where the book falls into the Monk "timeline." That, originally, was one of the reasons I didn't like the accuracy of this books since, for instance, Julie, Natalie's daughter, was always 12 in the books, yet is well over that in the TV show. Now having realized and understood where the book falls within the TV series, it helps a Monk fanatic, like myself, like the books even better.
Lastly, while these books haven't become actual episodes (although some portions have been used, as I recall Mr. Goldberg mentioning), it might be fun to see it occur sometime, especially since Lee Goldberg does write for some of the actual episodes.
Book Review: fine entry
Summary: 5 Stars
Mr. Monk stalks his psychiatrist by following him to Germany so they can continue their sessions; he also solves homicide cases that almost killed him and his assistant Natalie. Both Natalie and his shrink are unhappy with Monk for ruining their vacations. Using the guilt card, Natalie blackmails Monk into spending a few days in France on a real vacation. On the plane from Germany, a passenger dies; Monk determines who the killer is in a few minutes.
In France, Monk feels traumatized as he is out of his environment, but Natalie has no sympathy as she plans to enjoy her vacation. Monk decides to visit the famous Paris sewerage system because he wants to pay homage to the cleanliness of the city. In the catacombs below the streets, he finds a tomb filled with old skulls except one that looks quite recent. DNA testing proves this is San Francisco con artist Nathan Chalmers assumed dead for a decade. In a darkened restaurant a woman tells Monk she knows something about the deceased, but before she can explain further she is killed. The compulsive Monk is cleaning the Paris streets while putting the puzzle pieces in order.
No one does novelizations of TV shows better than Lee Goldberg consistently does. The author is able to catch the essence of Monk's personality while also providing an entertaining whodunit. Readers see a different side of Paris with its underground catacombs and sewers (unless you happen to be the Honeymooners' Ed Norton) where people live. Natalie will have to wait for her needed foreign vacation while series fans will relish following the idiosyncrasies of the hero as he cleans the streets of Paris.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: great book better than the tv show!
Summary: 5 Stars
i think this was one of my favorite books i have it was really good and think it was even better than the tv show. loved how MOnk was not happy in Paris 5 out of 5 stars!!Book Review: thank you!
Summary: 4 Stars
thank you so much...the Monk books are wonderful...I'm buying them almost before they even go on sale!