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Mr. Monk #2
Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii
Some people think Hawaii is paradise. But Monk knows that danger -- like dirt -- lurks everywhere. Look at Helen Gruber, the rich tourist who took a fatal blow from a coconut. The police say it fell from a tree, but Monk suspects otherwise. His assistant, Natalie, isn t exactly thrilled about Monk s latest investigation. It was bad enough that Monk followed her on vacation, and now it looks as though the vacation is over....
Smooth-talking TV psychic Dylan Swift is on the island and claims to have a message from beyond -- from Helen Gruber. Monk has his doubts about Swift s credibility. But finding the killer and proving Swift a fraud -- all while coping with geckos and the horror of unsynchronized ceiling fans -- may prove a tough coconut to crack....
286 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
100 people are currently reading
1124 people want to read
About the author
Lee Goldberg
159 books2,129 followersLee Goldberg is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over forty novels, including Malibu Burning, Calico, Lost Hills (the first novel in his acclaimed "Eve Ronin" series), 15 "Monk" mysteries, five "Fox & O'Hare" adventures (co-written with Janet Evanovich), and the new thriller Ashes Never Lie, the second in his "Sharpe & Walker" series.. He's written and/or produced many TV shows, including Diagnosis Murder, SeaQuest, and Monk and he co-created the Hallmark movie series Mystery 101.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 351 reviews
December 31, 2021
This is what I would call a cozy mystery, and it is the 2nd book in the Mr. Monk series. This series is base on the TV series Monk. I love Mr. Monk books and the TV series. The ending is not has big has other mystery book, but I love the funny things Monk does through out the book. In this book he becomes normal by taking meds to get on the plane to go to Hawaii. I think Monk being normal is even funnier. This book was very well written.
December 1, 2019
Mr Monk the world's greatest detective or the world's most obsessive compulsive?
His minder, Natalie Teeger is on holiday in Hawaii - getting away from Mr Monk for awhile, but Mr Monk in a drug-induced fit of abandonment manages to follow her.
Lady Luck took pity on me.
I went to my mailbox one day and found a round-trip ticket to Hawaii, courtesy of my best friend, Candace. She was getting married on the island of Kauai and wanted me there as her maid of honor. She knew how strapped I was for money, so she paid for everything, booking me for seven days and six nights at the fanciest resort on the island, the Grand Kiahuna Poipu, where the wedding was going to be held.
The easy part was talking my mom into coming up from Monterey to take care of Julie for a week. The hard part was finding someone to take care of Monk.
Meanwhile on the airplane . . .
“Mr. Monk,” I said firmly, hoping to get his complete attention. “Are you on something?”
“I thought we agreed you were going to call me Chad.”
“You are on something.”
“It’s a prescription Dr. Kroger gave me once to relieve my symptoms in extreme circumstances.”
“What symptoms?”
“All of them,” he said. “As long as I’m up, I think I’ll use the restroom.”
“You’re kidding,” I said. Wherever we were in San Francisco, he always made me drive him home to go to the bathroom.
“Where else would you suggest I relieve myself?”
He edged past me, opened the restroom door, and went inside. Monk was using a public lavatory. I would never have believed it could happen.
I continued back to the galley and asked the flight attendant for a drink.
“What would you like?” she asked.
“A scotch,” I said.
Monk emerged from the bathroom a moment later, not caring at all that he was trailing a piece of toilet paper from his shoe.
“Better make it two,” I said.
A murder is uncovered
“He says it’s an accident. The old woman was sitting in the hot tub, a coconut from the palm tree dropped on her head, knocked her out, and she drowned.” I turned back to Kealoha. “Yikes. Talk about bad luck. I won’t be sitting under any palm trees on this trip. We’ll be on our way now, if that’s okay with you. Mahalo.”
I started to go, but Monk didn’t move. He just shook his head. “That’s not what happened.”
All the joy I felt about spending a week in Hawaii evaporated in that instant—because I knew what Monk was going to say next and what it meant for me. I silently mouthed the words as he spoke them.
“This woman was murdered,” Monk said.
“Show me how you figga that, yeah?” Kealoha said, motioning us to follow him.
Monk went along eagerly, a smile on his face. He couldn’t have been happier to stumble onto a corpse on the first day of his Hawaiian vacation. I looked at it differently. I saw it as evidence that I was cursed.
A holiday for Mr Monk is teaching the hotel maids to fold towels and not just roll them. We are able to enjoy the tropical delights of Hawaii while watching Mr Monk solve many murders.
Good clean fun.
Enjoy!
His minder, Natalie Teeger is on holiday in Hawaii - getting away from Mr Monk for awhile, but Mr Monk in a drug-induced fit of abandonment manages to follow her.
Lady Luck took pity on me.
I went to my mailbox one day and found a round-trip ticket to Hawaii, courtesy of my best friend, Candace. She was getting married on the island of Kauai and wanted me there as her maid of honor. She knew how strapped I was for money, so she paid for everything, booking me for seven days and six nights at the fanciest resort on the island, the Grand Kiahuna Poipu, where the wedding was going to be held.
The easy part was talking my mom into coming up from Monterey to take care of Julie for a week. The hard part was finding someone to take care of Monk.
Meanwhile on the airplane . . .
“Mr. Monk,” I said firmly, hoping to get his complete attention. “Are you on something?”
“I thought we agreed you were going to call me Chad.”
“You are on something.”
“It’s a prescription Dr. Kroger gave me once to relieve my symptoms in extreme circumstances.”
“What symptoms?”
“All of them,” he said. “As long as I’m up, I think I’ll use the restroom.”
“You’re kidding,” I said. Wherever we were in San Francisco, he always made me drive him home to go to the bathroom.
“Where else would you suggest I relieve myself?”
He edged past me, opened the restroom door, and went inside. Monk was using a public lavatory. I would never have believed it could happen.
I continued back to the galley and asked the flight attendant for a drink.
“What would you like?” she asked.
“A scotch,” I said.
Monk emerged from the bathroom a moment later, not caring at all that he was trailing a piece of toilet paper from his shoe.
“Better make it two,” I said.
A murder is uncovered
“He says it’s an accident. The old woman was sitting in the hot tub, a coconut from the palm tree dropped on her head, knocked her out, and she drowned.” I turned back to Kealoha. “Yikes. Talk about bad luck. I won’t be sitting under any palm trees on this trip. We’ll be on our way now, if that’s okay with you. Mahalo.”
I started to go, but Monk didn’t move. He just shook his head. “That’s not what happened.”
All the joy I felt about spending a week in Hawaii evaporated in that instant—because I knew what Monk was going to say next and what it meant for me. I silently mouthed the words as he spoke them.
“This woman was murdered,” Monk said.
“Show me how you figga that, yeah?” Kealoha said, motioning us to follow him.
Monk went along eagerly, a smile on his face. He couldn’t have been happier to stumble onto a corpse on the first day of his Hawaiian vacation. I looked at it differently. I saw it as evidence that I was cursed.
A holiday for Mr Monk is teaching the hotel maids to fold towels and not just roll them. We are able to enjoy the tropical delights of Hawaii while watching Mr Monk solve many murders.
Good clean fun.
Enjoy!
April 23, 2009
This is the second Monk book I have read and, again, I enjoyed it.
The premise is that Natalie, Monk's assistant, is invited to Hawaii to participate in a girlfriends wedding. But Monk has to tag along and quickly involves them in the investigation. Not only that, but Dylan Swift, the famous psychic is a near-permanent guest at their hotel and claims to have a message from the beyond for them both. Monk doubts his credibility and goes about proving it and solving the murder.
I particularly enjoyed the segment describing Monk on the plane, drugged up enough to travel. Once on the island he is back to his usual self, instructing the maids on the proper way of folding towels, and day-long seminars on vacuuming techniques. And the opening crime involving a woman on the operating table responsible for killing the operating doctor is hilarious!
I recommend it for a teen or older reader, especially those that appreciate a funny, quirky novel. There is not too much offensive in it other than an occasional bad word here and there.
The premise is that Natalie, Monk's assistant, is invited to Hawaii to participate in a girlfriends wedding. But Monk has to tag along and quickly involves them in the investigation. Not only that, but Dylan Swift, the famous psychic is a near-permanent guest at their hotel and claims to have a message from the beyond for them both. Monk doubts his credibility and goes about proving it and solving the murder.
I particularly enjoyed the segment describing Monk on the plane, drugged up enough to travel. Once on the island he is back to his usual self, instructing the maids on the proper way of folding towels, and day-long seminars on vacuuming techniques. And the opening crime involving a woman on the operating table responsible for killing the operating doctor is hilarious!
I recommend it for a teen or older reader, especially those that appreciate a funny, quirky novel. There is not too much offensive in it other than an occasional bad word here and there.
January 16, 2022
I have to preface this review by saying that I have never seen the TV show Monk. I have seen the ads for the show and it looks funny, but I have not watched a full episode. With that in mind, I picked up this book thinking it would be good fun and mostly it was.
There were some parts of this story that I enjoyed more than others and even a couple of giggle out loud moments. Unfortunately, there were also a couple of parts that I didn't love. However, I believe they were specific to this book and not an indication of the series overall.
I found this story interesting enough that I may pick up another in the series at some point, but I won't necessarily rush out to get it right away.
There were some parts of this story that I enjoyed more than others and even a couple of giggle out loud moments. Unfortunately, there were also a couple of parts that I didn't love. However, I believe they were specific to this book and not an indication of the series overall.
I found this story interesting enough that I may pick up another in the series at some point, but I won't necessarily rush out to get it right away.
April 22, 2022
These are just fun!
January 12, 2026
My favourite tv series has the audiobooks on Storytel 😍😍😍
July 18, 2022
3.5
I did enjoy this more than the first one because I felt like the characters were more like they were in the show. I did enjoy the setting and how monk reacted to it. I did guess the mystery, but like I feel it’s obvious and not really why I read cozy mysteries.
I did enjoy this more than the first one because I felt like the characters were more like they were in the show. I did enjoy the setting and how monk reacted to it. I did guess the mystery, but like I feel it’s obvious and not really why I read cozy mysteries.
February 15, 2017
Natalie Teeger an overworked assistant decides to go away for a long-awaited vacation. She soon discovers that Monk, the boss she is trying to "get away" from finds a way to travel with her. As if his company wasn't enough to deter her time to relax and soak in the sun a murder investigation manages to find its way into Monk's lap. Her days in Hawaii go by to her annoyance as the mystery slowly unfolds. Will they find any good leisure time or is the death that has the entire police station's heads spinning too good to pass up?
This was a good book and was the first book of the Monk series that I read. I did like it but felt that because it takes liberties in telling a longer story, the television show is in a way better. It's not too bad but there are many mysteries that come up as the main plot is unraveled.
Yes it can be silly but there are some little moments that might come across as unrealistic. One scene has a mini-mystery murder case which is solved right off the bat. Who the killer is and what the killer has done to murder the person is not very plausible. There are little things like this that go beyond believability but I guarantee that it is not too much to be annoying. It is an entertaining book other than that and I did find my reading of it enjoyable.
Also there are little details that I loved like when they got absorbed into the culture (a little treat is how, in my opinion, the chapter "Mr. Monk Goes to the Luau" could have easily been reworked into an opening of an episode all on its own!).
In closing I have read about four other books in this series by the same author and Goldberg has not let me down! He definitely improved his craft with working this character out on paper. Though it did take a little bit of time to do so, ones like Mr. Monk in Outer Space are a must for a reading of this series. It is especially if one has seen episodes and feel like they know Stottlemeyer, Disher, Natalie and Monk like the back of their hands!
I think a Monk fan would definitely enjoy this! It is good and full of humor, wit, and love the imagery as it gives a warm telling of the wonderful islands. A good read.
This was a good book and was the first book of the Monk series that I read. I did like it but felt that because it takes liberties in telling a longer story, the television show is in a way better. It's not too bad but there are many mysteries that come up as the main plot is unraveled.
Yes it can be silly but there are some little moments that might come across as unrealistic. One scene has a mini-mystery murder case which is solved right off the bat. Who the killer is and what the killer has done to murder the person is not very plausible. There are little things like this that go beyond believability but I guarantee that it is not too much to be annoying. It is an entertaining book other than that and I did find my reading of it enjoyable.
Also there are little details that I loved like when they got absorbed into the culture (a little treat is how, in my opinion, the chapter "Mr. Monk Goes to the Luau" could have easily been reworked into an opening of an episode all on its own!).
In closing I have read about four other books in this series by the same author and Goldberg has not let me down! He definitely improved his craft with working this character out on paper. Though it did take a little bit of time to do so, ones like Mr. Monk in Outer Space are a must for a reading of this series. It is especially if one has seen episodes and feel like they know Stottlemeyer, Disher, Natalie and Monk like the back of their hands!
I think a Monk fan would definitely enjoy this! It is good and full of humor, wit, and love the imagery as it gives a warm telling of the wonderful islands. A good read.
October 28, 2009
Funny how when I read this, I couldn't get Tony Shalhoub's face out of my head.
As unpretentious as its televised namesake, this Monk "adventure" had all the elements we fans have come to know and love -- the OCD, the hand wipes, the myriad neuroses. Plus, it's just plain well-written; you can tell by the writing that Lee Goldberg had an affinity for this character and cares about him a great deal.
There were parts of this book that made me laugh out loud. More importantly, it kept me turning the pages.
As unpretentious as its televised namesake, this Monk "adventure" had all the elements we fans have come to know and love -- the OCD, the hand wipes, the myriad neuroses. Plus, it's just plain well-written; you can tell by the writing that Lee Goldberg had an affinity for this character and cares about him a great deal.
There were parts of this book that made me laugh out loud. More importantly, it kept me turning the pages.
September 5, 2009
Adrian Monk is out of his element. Unable to accept his assistant, Natalie’s departure for a vacation in Hawaii, he follows her to Kauai. Natalie is horrified for good reason. Traveling with the obsessive compulsive Monk is a nightmare, and her hope for a peaceful vacation evaporates completely when a woman is murdered at their hotel. Inevitably, Monk is on the case with the unwanted help of a famous TV psychic.
Fans of the TV show will know what to expect from a Monk novel: an amazing character with plenty of funny moments in the plot. I really enjoyed Lee Goldberg’s balance of description, humor, and action. As a mystery, though, the story lacks suspense and because the suspect list is so short, I figured out who the killer is before Monk does, and I’m easily fooled. Still, it was a light, pleasurable read which Monk fans will truly enjoy.
September 2, 2017
Lee Goldberg is so funny. I love the character of Mr. Monk, and I this second book in the series is just as good as the first one.
February 20, 2024
If you still feel that the MONK series should have resolved at 10 seasons, not 8, because Monk wouldn't been able to accept this unfinished business, these books may help assuage your feelings a bit. And if you listen to them, they are narrated by reader Laura Hicks, who sounds just like Natalie Teeger, Monk's long suffering assistant. This is chock-ful of Monk-isms and laugh out loud and cring-ey moments!!
March 29, 2023
makes me want to watch the show all over again
May 26, 2024
Amazing!
August 10, 2023
★★☆☆☆ 2.25 stars
April 13, 2008
I am a big fan of the cable show, Monk, starring Tony Shalub as an obsessive-compulsive detective that uses his obsession over details to solve crimes, with the help of a much-suffering female assistant.
Quite by accident, I discovered that they're now writing Monk novels. I was a bit nervous, because the Law and Order novel was absolutely awful. Still, it was worth a shot...
I have to say, I was very impressed. From the opening murder to the drugged Monk on an airplane to his various reactions to island life (including disbelief that Hawaii was a part of America), this is the Monk we know and love. In fact, this could very easily be a Monk movie, which is exactly why it fares better than most adaptations I've read. Instead of trying too hard to be something new and different from the source, Goldberg runs with what works, and it doesn't fail him.
In this story, Monk's assistant is headed to Hawaii for a wedding, and she's getting an extra set of baggage--Monk and his quirks. They quickly run into a murder or two, and the local police learn of Monk's skills as he battles a psychic and rolled towels, both with equal intensity.
The book flows quickly, narrated by Monk's assistant, as we basically alternate between serious scenes and Monk-induced humour, much like the show itself. Goldberg has prior experience with TV murder mysteries, both on the screen and on the page, and it shows. His Monk is very true to the character while also being extremely readable. He paints all the pictures we need, and our TV knowledge does the rest.
Trebby's Take: I don't normally read--let along recommend--adaptations, but this one is worth reading. If you're a fan of the show, you're sure to like it, and even those who haven't seen it before should enjoy it, too.
Quite by accident, I discovered that they're now writing Monk novels. I was a bit nervous, because the Law and Order novel was absolutely awful. Still, it was worth a shot...
I have to say, I was very impressed. From the opening murder to the drugged Monk on an airplane to his various reactions to island life (including disbelief that Hawaii was a part of America), this is the Monk we know and love. In fact, this could very easily be a Monk movie, which is exactly why it fares better than most adaptations I've read. Instead of trying too hard to be something new and different from the source, Goldberg runs with what works, and it doesn't fail him.
In this story, Monk's assistant is headed to Hawaii for a wedding, and she's getting an extra set of baggage--Monk and his quirks. They quickly run into a murder or two, and the local police learn of Monk's skills as he battles a psychic and rolled towels, both with equal intensity.
The book flows quickly, narrated by Monk's assistant, as we basically alternate between serious scenes and Monk-induced humour, much like the show itself. Goldberg has prior experience with TV murder mysteries, both on the screen and on the page, and it shows. His Monk is very true to the character while also being extremely readable. He paints all the pictures we need, and our TV knowledge does the rest.
Trebby's Take: I don't normally read--let along recommend--adaptations, but this one is worth reading. If you're a fan of the show, you're sure to like it, and even those who haven't seen it before should enjoy it, too.
June 21, 2019
Natalie is thrilled when her best friend, Candace invited her to Hawaii - all expense paid - for her wedding. Unknown to Natalie, Monk tags along and she only finds out about it when they are on the same flight! Yes! Monk is on the plane but only after taking his preflight dose of anti-OCD drug - which of course alters his personality and it was hilarious! Once they arrive in Hawaii, Natalie wants to relax but Monk's idea of vacation is offering his services to the local police after a woman is found murdered in the resort. The case is getting more complex when a well-known TV psychic named Dylan Swift claims that he has a message from the murder victim herself - a message from beyond the grave.
There is so much going on this book and I loved it! The side cases which somehow have connections with one another is just brilliant! As always, Monk made me laugh so much with his eccentricities and his crime solving method amazes me. This is another awesome book by Lee Goldberg that I enjoyed and it is really as good as watching the TV series!
There is so much going on this book and I loved it! The side cases which somehow have connections with one another is just brilliant! As always, Monk made me laugh so much with his eccentricities and his crime solving method amazes me. This is another awesome book by Lee Goldberg that I enjoyed and it is really as good as watching the TV series!
September 16, 2016
An extra episode of Monk in book form. I could have done without the wedding thing. I know it's what got them to Hawaii, but it's so similar to what happened to Natalie's brother, it was more annoying than anything. As far as Content goes, there were a few minor references and the murder does partially have to do with adultery, but it's not really anything more than what's on the show (and certainly no worse than the playboy episode). So while it did make me slightly uncomfortable, it wasn't anything I shouldn't have been expecting. Monk was hilariously OCD as usual, figured everything out and even exposed a fraud. All in a week's work for Adrian Monk.
January 6, 2008
This book is about Mr. Monk. Mr.Monk is a detective for the San Fransisco police department. He is extremely obessive compusive and is hilarious with the way he cannot seem to focus if something is not straight or clean. He goes with Natalie, his assistant, to Hawaii because he does not think that he can survive a week without her. While they are in Hawaii there is a murder as well as other cases that the police cannot figure out. Monk is very good at solving unusual cases, he helps the police solve all the cases and even has a little fun.
March 19, 2014
Natalie is heading to Hawaii for a friend's wedding, but unfortunately Monk tags along. When a wedding guest is murdered, Monk finds some flaws in the crime scene. Will the new horrors of the island distract him from solving the case? There are some distractions to the main mystery, but they are entertaining. This is another great read for fans of the series.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
January 25, 2009
The Monk tv series is very amusing...a bit more amusing than the books. Watching Monk's compulsive behaviors isn't as painful as reading about them! These books are written from Natalie's point of view, and I find the mystery rather easier to figure out in the books than on the tv (more time to mull over the clues, plus the mysteries are very formulaic). Not a bad read; interesting characters, non-standard behaviors, good summertime fare.
April 10, 2010
I thought I would love this because I love, love the show. But I didn't. Now, partly I was frustrated because the cd I was listening to was scratched so I kept having to skip things, but honestly, I wouldn't have liked it anyway - I didn't even finish it. There were just dumb jokes in there that didn't need to be, and I just kept wishing they would solve it so I could be done. I'd rather read an Agatha Christie.
April 5, 2016
This was a fun episode in the Adrian Monk series. Natalie goes on vacation to Hawaii to see her best friend and thinks she's leaving Monk behind. Until, she sees him on the plane and found out he took an anti-OCD pill and followed her. Of course, trouble followed him. It was fun reading about him experiencing Hawaiian traditions such as luaus. I especially enjoyed him tangling with the TV psychic. Definitely not serious reading, but a fun "brain break" for sure.
March 13, 2017
This is a lighthearted mystery with a lot of comic relief. It's just what I needed this weekend.
February 8, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
if you enjoy Monk then this book is a great addition to the series.
the characters are mostly well done -i did find monk a little out of character (not because of the drugs funnily enough but just how he talked and behaved through parts of the book where he wasn’t) but natalie and other characters were well done.
it also was a good length -it felt similar to an episode in the ways that it told its plot points basically one after another but still build up to the big mystery solved at the end.
there was sections of the book that could have been done better and less hurtful to culture or people of different sizes - there is a good amount of mentioned of “fat” “big bier gut” and similar things that could have been phrased less aggressively as there where in the context of how they where used (being bigger isn’t something that needs to be noted as if it’s a characteristic! if you describe someone you don’t know anything about and giving a person description go for it but basically using it as a personal trait goes a little too far.
also some of monks comments where rather down grading towards the Hawaiian culture and historical way of things.
and i get it because it’s monk and of course he wouldn’t enjoy for example eating on the ground without proper plates and utensils BUT someone (for example natalie) could have just said: you don’t have to do it but let’s not be disrespectful for those that enjoy being part of this tradition?
it wasn’t a huge deal and i guess a good amount of readers might not even notice it but for a character obsessive about details: some of those details in this book felt a bit lacking.
but overall this was fun and easy and a nice read for a quick more or less entertaining and fun time but nothing overly special.
still a good cozy mystery and a nice one for fans of the show!
if you enjoy Monk then this book is a great addition to the series.
the characters are mostly well done -i did find monk a little out of character (not because of the drugs funnily enough but just how he talked and behaved through parts of the book where he wasn’t) but natalie and other characters were well done.
it also was a good length -it felt similar to an episode in the ways that it told its plot points basically one after another but still build up to the big mystery solved at the end.
there was sections of the book that could have been done better and less hurtful to culture or people of different sizes - there is a good amount of mentioned of “fat” “big bier gut” and similar things that could have been phrased less aggressively as there where in the context of how they where used (being bigger isn’t something that needs to be noted as if it’s a characteristic! if you describe someone you don’t know anything about and giving a person description go for it but basically using it as a personal trait goes a little too far.
also some of monks comments where rather down grading towards the Hawaiian culture and historical way of things.
and i get it because it’s monk and of course he wouldn’t enjoy for example eating on the ground without proper plates and utensils BUT someone (for example natalie) could have just said: you don’t have to do it but let’s not be disrespectful for those that enjoy being part of this tradition?
it wasn’t a huge deal and i guess a good amount of readers might not even notice it but for a character obsessive about details: some of those details in this book felt a bit lacking.
but overall this was fun and easy and a nice read for a quick more or less entertaining and fun time but nothing overly special.
still a good cozy mystery and a nice one for fans of the show!
April 5, 2021
❖︎︎Characters❖︎︎
The side characters were all meh, except for the maybe psychic who somehow knew about the 6th finger, but was still a fake? Not sure how that works. Maybe just got lucky? Or maybe he only has a random authentic reading and fakes the rest. Either way, he was pretty interesting.
But the main star of this book was Chad aka Monk. So Monk on meds is perfect. I love how free he was. He ate someone else's food! Plane food! Someone else's plane food!!!! I'm sure he will have nightmares for weeks about that when he gets home. Through most of the book, while working on the mystery, as well as those local law enforcement was tossing at him, he was himself. I do love Monk and his antics, but Chad is pretty amazing too.
❖︎︎Plot❖︎︎
I love that Natalie basically -though unintentionally- forced Monk to go on vacation by going herself. His ideas about the ocean, which really is a giant toilet for everyone now that I think about it- thanks, Monk, about hotel blankets, about everything was 100% more in this book. Just being in an unfamiliar place made him even worse than usual.
We get to learn a little more about Trudy, Monk's wife, and her death. That must have been so traumatizing for him. I mean, she was blown up. And for him to get a confession from the man on his death bed is so sad. It makes me wonder how he processes that in his own brain.
❖︎︎Quotes❖︎︎
Because they're freaks and do freakish things.
I think he's a man with a tattoo on just one wrist. A man capable of that kind of insanity is capable of anything.
❖︎︎Random Thoughts❖︎︎
I agree, Monk. Movie theater seats are disgusting.
August 8, 2021
After nearly giving up on the books after how bad the first one was, I was glad I pushed to read this one.
Next to no gross, misogynistic comments about Natalie’s body, unlike the first one. It’s almost nice to read about her trying to relax in Hawaii. Almost. Because there’s still a gross out of character scene where Natalie calls a woman a whore (and a pimp, technically).
As the first one suffered though, Monk had quite a few out of character moments. The premise of him resorting to the drugs to get on a plane is glossed over - that would be such a huge relapse for Monk, considering he swore off of them forever while this book just uses them as a convenient/comedic excuse to explain how he got to Hawaii.
My biggest problem with this book was that I guessed the murderer and his entire motive/means about 15% of the way into the book.
— SPOILERS —
The second they said that the woman was hearing voices (after introducing she wore a hearing aid) it was obvious that her hearing aids were somehow tapping into the fake psychic’s system, and that he was bugging the rooms. At that point I ended up finishing the book in one go because it kind of infuriated me that with every move, Monk didn’t see what was happening. I’m an idiot, and even I figured it out before him.
The fact that he’s figured out the murderer before leaving the island but just let the two innocent people rot in jail until the real one was uncovered a few days later was horrific. There’s a throwaway line about how they sued the police department and cost the police officer that they had been helping his promotion. Just… why? Why make your characters look like terrible people when they aren’t like that in the show?
Also, minor nitpick but there’s a silly continuity error on the show that fans laugh about - in one episode Randy says he doesn’t have an uncle but then in another episode his uncle dies. This book does the same thing. How many uncles does that man of mystery really have?
—
Aside from these nitpicks, I actually enjoyed reading this one on my own holiday. Even if the obviousness of the murder drove me slightly nuts. It’s a nice setting, and seeing Monk hate idyllic settings is always a fun time.
Next to no gross, misogynistic comments about Natalie’s body, unlike the first one. It’s almost nice to read about her trying to relax in Hawaii. Almost. Because there’s still a gross out of character scene where Natalie calls a woman a whore (and a pimp, technically).
As the first one suffered though, Monk had quite a few out of character moments. The premise of him resorting to the drugs to get on a plane is glossed over - that would be such a huge relapse for Monk, considering he swore off of them forever while this book just uses them as a convenient/comedic excuse to explain how he got to Hawaii.
My biggest problem with this book was that I guessed the murderer and his entire motive/means about 15% of the way into the book.
— SPOILERS —
The second they said that the woman was hearing voices (after introducing she wore a hearing aid) it was obvious that her hearing aids were somehow tapping into the fake psychic’s system, and that he was bugging the rooms. At that point I ended up finishing the book in one go because it kind of infuriated me that with every move, Monk didn’t see what was happening. I’m an idiot, and even I figured it out before him.
The fact that he’s figured out the murderer before leaving the island but just let the two innocent people rot in jail until the real one was uncovered a few days later was horrific. There’s a throwaway line about how they sued the police department and cost the police officer that they had been helping his promotion. Just… why? Why make your characters look like terrible people when they aren’t like that in the show?
Also, minor nitpick but there’s a silly continuity error on the show that fans laugh about - in one episode Randy says he doesn’t have an uncle but then in another episode his uncle dies. This book does the same thing. How many uncles does that man of mystery really have?
—
Aside from these nitpicks, I actually enjoyed reading this one on my own holiday. Even if the obviousness of the murder drove me slightly nuts. It’s a nice setting, and seeing Monk hate idyllic settings is always a fun time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2019
These fan-fiction novels feel somewhat different than the TV show. The main thing is that they are told exclusively from Natalie Teeger's perspective - she's the only narrator. You are not in Monk's head at all and if he happens to be alone or not in Natalie's presence, i.e. if he is in session with Dr. Kroeger - which I loved in the show - then you miss out. I mean, it's great because I love all the characters, but I almost wish the author would use 3rd person perspective or switch perspectives so you could see the world through Monk's eyes or other person's eyes besides Natalie's.
January 31, 2019
I enjoyed this very much. There were several mysteries in the same story and I enjoyed how they all wrapped up. Mr. Monk does go out of character for a bit due to a mind altering prescription drug, but the author had to have some way to actually get him on a plane. I'm so glad these are on audio. They are quick and fun.
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