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Mr. Monk #13
Mr. Monk on Patrol
Everything has been going well for former SFPD lieutenant Randy Disher in Summit, New Jersey, where he lives with Monk's previous assistant, Sharona, and works as the new police chief. But when the city's leadership is arrested for fraudulently inflated salaries, Disher suddenly finds himself as the acting mayor.
Now, Disher has to manage the police department and shoulder the day to day responsibility of running a town that is in the midst of a wave of residential robberies. In desperation, Disher reaches out to the one person he knows can solve the crimes: Adrian Monk.
When Monk and his assistant, Natalie, arrive in New Jersey, Disher makes them temporary police officers. Summit is about to become the cleanest and most symmetrical city on Earth. But then the string of home burglaries escalates to arson and murder...and someone tries very, very hard to send Monk and Natalie back to San Francisco in coffins.
Now, Disher has to manage the police department and shoulder the day to day responsibility of running a town that is in the midst of a wave of residential robberies. In desperation, Disher reaches out to the one person he knows can solve the crimes: Adrian Monk.
When Monk and his assistant, Natalie, arrive in New Jersey, Disher makes them temporary police officers. Summit is about to become the cleanest and most symmetrical city on Earth. But then the string of home burglaries escalates to arson and murder...and someone tries very, very hard to send Monk and Natalie back to San Francisco in coffins.
289 pages, Hardcover
First published January 3, 2012
39 people are currently reading
822 people want to read
About the author
Lee Goldberg
158 books2,108 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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February 17, 2020
Mr Monk - the world's most obsessive detective must start a new job on the other side of the country. Easy for everyone else, but not for Monk who hates flying.
Natalie Teeger muses about Mr Monk's strange attitude to life, death and mess.
The dead Realtor’s name was Rebecca Baylin. She was twenty-seven years old, shirtless, and her head was caved in. Ordinarily, Adrian Monk wouldn’t be able to look at a topless woman, but there he was, framing the scene between his hands and tipping his head from side to side to examine her from different angles.
Monk would be repulsed by someone with a bit of lettuce stuck between his teeth, or a missing button on her shirt, or a single pierced ear, or a zit on someone’s chin, and yet he had no qualms about staring at all manner of horrific violence perpetrated on the human body.
It made no sense to me, but then again, there was a lot I didn’t understand about my obsessive-compulsive boss, even after all my years as his underpaid and overworked assistant, agent, driver, shopper, researcher, publicist, and all-around emotional punching bag.
Check-in systems at the airport had never planned for Mr Monk
We reached the conveyor that led into the X-ray machine. Sharona dropped her purse in one of the plastic baskets and began shedding her jewelry, her jacket, her belt, and her shoes.
“That’s enough,” Monk said, grabbing her by the arm. “This isn’t a strip club.”
“You’re required to remove this stuff, Adrian.”
“You expect me to believe they’re going to let you run naked through the airport?”
“Relax, I’m done. This is all I’m taking off.”
“Thank God, because otherwise you’d need a pole and some music.”
“Now it’s your turn, Adrian,” she said. “Take it off.”
“Are you insane?” Monk looked around. “You expect me to disrobe in front of everyone?”
“It’s the law,” she said. “You, of all people, should respect that.”
It was so nice having her around to handle him for a change. It was an enormous relief to need to carry only half the load of managing Monk. It dawned on me that this trip to New Jersey could turn out to be a relaxing little vacation for me.
“It’s only your jacket, your belt, and your shoes,” she said. “You don’t even have to unbutton your collar.”
“Okay.” He rolled his shoulders. “I’ll do it. Where’s my privacy curtain?”
“They don’t have curtains,” I said.
“That’s indecent,” he said.
"Stop" in the name of Poop
“Stop!” he yelled.
I stomped on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden, jarring halt, which dug the seat-belt strap into my chest and sent a jolt of adrenaline into my bloodstream.
I was wide-awake, more so than I’d been in hours. For one terrifying moment, I was certain that I’d fallen asleep at the wheel and that Monk had saved me from running over a dog, or an old lady, or some kid on a bike.
But there was no one in front of us. In fact, there was nothing amiss at all that I could see.
“What’s wrong? You scared the hell out of me, Mr. Monk.”
“Pull over,” Monk said. “Hurry.”
I parked in a red zone, one of the perks of “Stop!” he yelled.
I stomped on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden, jarring halt, which dug the seat-belt strap into my chest and sent a jolt of adrenaline into my bloodstream.
I was wide-awake, more so than I’d been in hours. For one terrifying moment, I was certain that I’d fallen asleep at the wheel and that Monk had saved me from running over a dog, or an old lady, or some kid on a bike.
But there was no one in front of us. In fact, there was nothing amiss at all that I could see.
“What’s wrong? You scared the hell out of me, Mr. Monk.”
“Pull over,” Monk said. “Hurry.”
I parked in a red zone, one of the perks of “Stop!” he yelled.
I stomped on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden, jarring halt, which dug the seat-belt strap into my chest and sent a jolt of adrenaline into my bloodstream.
I was wide-awake, more so than I’d been in hours. For one terrifying moment, I was certain that I’d fallen asleep at the wheel and that Monk had saved me from running over a dog, or an old lady, or some kid on a bike.
But there was no one in front of us. In fact, there was nothing amiss at all that I could see.
“What’s wrong? You scared the hell out of me, Mr. Monk.”
“Pull over,” Monk said. “Hurry.”
I parked in a red zone, one of the perks of “Stop!” he yelled.
I stomped on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden, jarring halt, which dug the seat-belt strap into my chest and sent a jolt of adrenaline into my bloodstream.
I was wide-awake, more so than I’d been in hours. For one terrifying moment, I was certain that I’d fallen asleep at the wheel and that Monk had saved me from running over a dog, or an old lady, or some kid on a bike.
But there was no one in front of us. In fact, there was nothing amiss at all that I could see.
“What’s wrong? You scared the hell out of me, Mr. Monk.”
“Pull over,” Monk said. “Hurry.”
I parked in a red zone, one of the perks of“Stop!” he yelled.
I stomped on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden, jarring halt, which dug the seat-belt strap into my chest and sent a jolt of adrenaline into my bloodstream.
I was wide-awake, more so than I’d been in hours. For one terrifying moment, I was certain that I’d fallen asleep at the wheel and that Monk had saved me from running over a dog, or an old lady, or some kid on a bike.
But there was no one in front of us. In fact, there was nothing amiss at all that I could see.
“What’s wrong? You scared the hell out of me, Mr. Monk.”
“Pull over,” Monk said. “Hurry.”
I parked in a red zone, one of the perks of “Stop!” he yelled.
I stomped on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden, jarring halt, which dug the seat-belt strap into my chest and sent a jolt of adrenaline into my bloodstream.
I was wide-awake, more so than I’d been in hours. For one terrifying moment, I was certain that I’d fallen asleep at the wheel and that Monk had saved me from running over a dog, or an old lady, or some kid on a bike.
But there was no one in front of us. In fact, there was nothing amiss at all that I could see.
“What’s wrong? You scared the hell out of me, Mr. Monk.”
“Pull over,” Monk said. “Hurry.”
I parked in a red zone, one of the perks of being in a cop car, and turned to face him, my heart pounding so hard in my chest that it felt like it was trying to escape. “What’s the big emergency?”
“You might want to call for backup,” Monk said.
“Is there a robbery in progress?”
“No,” he said.
“An assault taking place?”
“No,” he said.
“Then what do we need backup for?”
“An unspeakable crime,” he said.
I looked around and identified only one thing that could provoke such an exaggerated response. “Are you talking about that dog peeing against the tree?”
“Worse,” Monk said and pointed out the window.
A few doors down was a gallery with some sculptures in the window. The place was called Poop and was tucked between a café and a clothing store.
“It’s just a name,” I said.
“It’s a profanity,” he said.
“Poop?”
“Sssh,” Monk said. “You’re in a police car.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“We should be setting an example by being law-abiding citizens.”
“No one can hear us,” I said. “And even if they could, there’s no law against saying ‘poop.’”
Mr Monk copes easily with being haunted and bombed, but handling real poop has him in a state of shock.
Enjoy!
Natalie Teeger muses about Mr Monk's strange attitude to life, death and mess.
The dead Realtor’s name was Rebecca Baylin. She was twenty-seven years old, shirtless, and her head was caved in. Ordinarily, Adrian Monk wouldn’t be able to look at a topless woman, but there he was, framing the scene between his hands and tipping his head from side to side to examine her from different angles.
Monk would be repulsed by someone with a bit of lettuce stuck between his teeth, or a missing button on her shirt, or a single pierced ear, or a zit on someone’s chin, and yet he had no qualms about staring at all manner of horrific violence perpetrated on the human body.
It made no sense to me, but then again, there was a lot I didn’t understand about my obsessive-compulsive boss, even after all my years as his underpaid and overworked assistant, agent, driver, shopper, researcher, publicist, and all-around emotional punching bag.
Check-in systems at the airport had never planned for Mr Monk
We reached the conveyor that led into the X-ray machine. Sharona dropped her purse in one of the plastic baskets and began shedding her jewelry, her jacket, her belt, and her shoes.
“That’s enough,” Monk said, grabbing her by the arm. “This isn’t a strip club.”
“You’re required to remove this stuff, Adrian.”
“You expect me to believe they’re going to let you run naked through the airport?”
“Relax, I’m done. This is all I’m taking off.”
“Thank God, because otherwise you’d need a pole and some music.”
“Now it’s your turn, Adrian,” she said. “Take it off.”
“Are you insane?” Monk looked around. “You expect me to disrobe in front of everyone?”
“It’s the law,” she said. “You, of all people, should respect that.”
It was so nice having her around to handle him for a change. It was an enormous relief to need to carry only half the load of managing Monk. It dawned on me that this trip to New Jersey could turn out to be a relaxing little vacation for me.
“It’s only your jacket, your belt, and your shoes,” she said. “You don’t even have to unbutton your collar.”
“Okay.” He rolled his shoulders. “I’ll do it. Where’s my privacy curtain?”
“They don’t have curtains,” I said.
“That’s indecent,” he said.
"Stop" in the name of Poop
“Stop!” he yelled.
I stomped on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden, jarring halt, which dug the seat-belt strap into my chest and sent a jolt of adrenaline into my bloodstream.
I was wide-awake, more so than I’d been in hours. For one terrifying moment, I was certain that I’d fallen asleep at the wheel and that Monk had saved me from running over a dog, or an old lady, or some kid on a bike.
But there was no one in front of us. In fact, there was nothing amiss at all that I could see.
“What’s wrong? You scared the hell out of me, Mr. Monk.”
“Pull over,” Monk said. “Hurry.”
I parked in a red zone, one of the perks of “Stop!” he yelled.
I stomped on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden, jarring halt, which dug the seat-belt strap into my chest and sent a jolt of adrenaline into my bloodstream.
I was wide-awake, more so than I’d been in hours. For one terrifying moment, I was certain that I’d fallen asleep at the wheel and that Monk had saved me from running over a dog, or an old lady, or some kid on a bike.
But there was no one in front of us. In fact, there was nothing amiss at all that I could see.
“What’s wrong? You scared the hell out of me, Mr. Monk.”
“Pull over,” Monk said. “Hurry.”
I parked in a red zone, one of the perks of “Stop!” he yelled.
I stomped on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden, jarring halt, which dug the seat-belt strap into my chest and sent a jolt of adrenaline into my bloodstream.
I was wide-awake, more so than I’d been in hours. For one terrifying moment, I was certain that I’d fallen asleep at the wheel and that Monk had saved me from running over a dog, or an old lady, or some kid on a bike.
But there was no one in front of us. In fact, there was nothing amiss at all that I could see.
“What’s wrong? You scared the hell out of me, Mr. Monk.”
“Pull over,” Monk said. “Hurry.”
I parked in a red zone, one of the perks of “Stop!” he yelled.
I stomped on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden, jarring halt, which dug the seat-belt strap into my chest and sent a jolt of adrenaline into my bloodstream.
I was wide-awake, more so than I’d been in hours. For one terrifying moment, I was certain that I’d fallen asleep at the wheel and that Monk had saved me from running over a dog, or an old lady, or some kid on a bike.
But there was no one in front of us. In fact, there was nothing amiss at all that I could see.
“What’s wrong? You scared the hell out of me, Mr. Monk.”
“Pull over,” Monk said. “Hurry.”
I parked in a red zone, one of the perks of“Stop!” he yelled.
I stomped on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden, jarring halt, which dug the seat-belt strap into my chest and sent a jolt of adrenaline into my bloodstream.
I was wide-awake, more so than I’d been in hours. For one terrifying moment, I was certain that I’d fallen asleep at the wheel and that Monk had saved me from running over a dog, or an old lady, or some kid on a bike.
But there was no one in front of us. In fact, there was nothing amiss at all that I could see.
“What’s wrong? You scared the hell out of me, Mr. Monk.”
“Pull over,” Monk said. “Hurry.”
I parked in a red zone, one of the perks of “Stop!” he yelled.
I stomped on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden, jarring halt, which dug the seat-belt strap into my chest and sent a jolt of adrenaline into my bloodstream.
I was wide-awake, more so than I’d been in hours. For one terrifying moment, I was certain that I’d fallen asleep at the wheel and that Monk had saved me from running over a dog, or an old lady, or some kid on a bike.
But there was no one in front of us. In fact, there was nothing amiss at all that I could see.
“What’s wrong? You scared the hell out of me, Mr. Monk.”
“Pull over,” Monk said. “Hurry.”
I parked in a red zone, one of the perks of being in a cop car, and turned to face him, my heart pounding so hard in my chest that it felt like it was trying to escape. “What’s the big emergency?”
“You might want to call for backup,” Monk said.
“Is there a robbery in progress?”
“No,” he said.
“An assault taking place?”
“No,” he said.
“Then what do we need backup for?”
“An unspeakable crime,” he said.
I looked around and identified only one thing that could provoke such an exaggerated response. “Are you talking about that dog peeing against the tree?”
“Worse,” Monk said and pointed out the window.
A few doors down was a gallery with some sculptures in the window. The place was called Poop and was tucked between a café and a clothing store.
“It’s just a name,” I said.
“It’s a profanity,” he said.
“Poop?”
“Sssh,” Monk said. “You’re in a police car.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“We should be setting an example by being law-abiding citizens.”
“No one can hear us,” I said. “And even if they could, there’s no law against saying ‘poop.’”
Mr Monk copes easily with being haunted and bombed, but handling real poop has him in a state of shock.
Enjoy!
May 29, 2012
I'm a sucker for these books. Look down your nose if you must, but I like the character of Adrian Monk and I enjoy veteran TV mystery writer, Lee Goldberg's take on the continuing and ever evolving, Monkverse.
Apparently this is the penultimate Mr. Monk book. Goldberg uses Monk's long-suffering assistant, Natalie as the narrator of his books. Unlike most expanded universe tie-in books, he calls back characters and events from previous books and TV episodes, weaves a decent mystery and moves the growth of the characters forward. This is probably the part I most enjoy.
The book begins with a fun mystery (an excerpt of which was published as a short in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and shortlisted for an Edgar Award.) Then comes a phone call from Randy Disher, the former SF Homicide Detective and now Police Chief of the sleepy bedroom community of Summit, New Jersey. Things aren't going well. Well, they are, sort of. Apparently hired in part because of a reputation as a competent, but ridiculous cop, the folks who hired him didn't count on how personable, earnest and hard-working Disher is or his uncanny ability to literally stumble into mysteries. Disher found and reported rampant, years-long corruption in the Summit city government. This lead to the resignation of the mayor and most of the town council. Now, by charter, Disher is also its acting mayor!? Disher is swamped and needs Monk's help for a few weeks as acting members of the Summit PD. In the books, Natalie, with Capt. Stottlemeyer and Monk's encouragement, has grown into her own as a detective, even taking on some of her own cases. Disher has heard this and wants Natalie too, not just as Monk's assistant, but as his colleague.
The mystery is secondary and pretty transparent but the fun is in Monk's reactions to the city, Summit's odd characters, patrol duty with Natalie, living with "the Disher's" and a very intriguing woman who operates a shop called, Poo. In trying to close down her emporium of filth, he discovers she has a kind and giving heart, a wry intelligence and a case of symmetrical obsession that rivals his own.
I really enjoyed the character arcs in this one. It ends with a life-changing cliff-hanger for Monk and Natalie. A cliff-hanger that the publisher completely spoils by including the first chapter of the next, and final Monk book.
Mr. Monk on Patrol gave me a few hours of enjoyment. It also gave good fan and character service. That works for me.
Apparently this is the penultimate Mr. Monk book. Goldberg uses Monk's long-suffering assistant, Natalie as the narrator of his books. Unlike most expanded universe tie-in books, he calls back characters and events from previous books and TV episodes, weaves a decent mystery and moves the growth of the characters forward. This is probably the part I most enjoy.
The book begins with a fun mystery (an excerpt of which was published as a short in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and shortlisted for an Edgar Award.) Then comes a phone call from Randy Disher, the former SF Homicide Detective and now Police Chief of the sleepy bedroom community of Summit, New Jersey. Things aren't going well. Well, they are, sort of. Apparently hired in part because of a reputation as a competent, but ridiculous cop, the folks who hired him didn't count on how personable, earnest and hard-working Disher is or his uncanny ability to literally stumble into mysteries. Disher found and reported rampant, years-long corruption in the Summit city government. This lead to the resignation of the mayor and most of the town council. Now, by charter, Disher is also its acting mayor!? Disher is swamped and needs Monk's help for a few weeks as acting members of the Summit PD. In the books, Natalie, with Capt. Stottlemeyer and Monk's encouragement, has grown into her own as a detective, even taking on some of her own cases. Disher has heard this and wants Natalie too, not just as Monk's assistant, but as his colleague.
The mystery is secondary and pretty transparent but the fun is in Monk's reactions to the city, Summit's odd characters, patrol duty with Natalie, living with "the Disher's" and a very intriguing woman who operates a shop called, Poo. In trying to close down her emporium of filth, he discovers she has a kind and giving heart, a wry intelligence and a case of symmetrical obsession that rivals his own.
I really enjoyed the character arcs in this one. It ends with a life-changing cliff-hanger for Monk and Natalie. A cliff-hanger that the publisher completely spoils by including the first chapter of the next, and final Monk book.
Mr. Monk on Patrol gave me a few hours of enjoyment. It also gave good fan and character service. That works for me.
March 14, 2018
Wonderful follow-up to an Excellent Show.
This was my first foray into Mr. Monk novels, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and really captured the essence of the series. I have to say, Natalie, whose character I found underwhelming in five and a bit seasons, was a lot more charming and interesting in this book. Of course it helped that she was the narrator, so we got opportunity to know her through her inner-most thoughts, but still, I wish she had of been more like this in the show. Monk and Natalie’s exploits, and mystery-solving, in Summit, New Jersey (where Randy and Sharona are living in domestic bliss) was a hoot. In tone, it reminded me of the Stephanie Plum novels. It was great to catch up with characters that I knew and loved for eight years, especially Sharona, who I missed so much when she departed so suddenly in the third season. Also great to witness how much Adrian Monk has grown and changed since unravelling the mystery of Trudy’s murder.
This was my first foray into Mr. Monk novels, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and really captured the essence of the series. I have to say, Natalie, whose character I found underwhelming in five and a bit seasons, was a lot more charming and interesting in this book. Of course it helped that she was the narrator, so we got opportunity to know her through her inner-most thoughts, but still, I wish she had of been more like this in the show. Monk and Natalie’s exploits, and mystery-solving, in Summit, New Jersey (where Randy and Sharona are living in domestic bliss) was a hoot. In tone, it reminded me of the Stephanie Plum novels. It was great to catch up with characters that I knew and loved for eight years, especially Sharona, who I missed so much when she departed so suddenly in the third season. Also great to witness how much Adrian Monk has grown and changed since unravelling the mystery of Trudy’s murder.
May 11, 2012
For those familiar with the TV series of the same name, you know how funny the character of Monk can be without knowing it. The same is true in the novel. Here Mr. Monk and his trusty assistant (Natalie) in all things a detective needs and a hypochondriac, too, are whisked off to Summit, New Jersey by Sharona his former assistant of long ago. The scenes describing getting him from San Francisco to New Jersey are hilarious. Once in Summit, the current police chief and acting mayor (a close friend from San Francisco and Sharona's live-in mate) makes them temporary police officers to help him clean up the burgularies and eventual murder. Given a gun, Monk wants to shoot everyone he believes is not obeying the law. Given the police car to drive, Natalie wants to use the siren and lights to go two blocks. From lining up the cars on the streets by color and make, and seeing that they are parked precisely the same distance apart, to encountering a lovely woman who runs a shop called Poop, to tracing the murderer and preventing another murder, this book makes you eagerly await the next one in the series.
May 28, 2012
One of my favorite supporting characters is back. Randy Disher, now police chief and acting mayor in a small town in NJ, needs Monk and Natalie to help him with his police shortage. They find themselves both in uniform investigating a string of burglaries and a murder.
Monk finds himself fighting his revulsion and mistrust of a local business and its proprietor-- it's a store called Poop that sells various products made of dung. There's a surprising bit of growth there that makes you proud of Monk.
It's great to see old favorites Randy and Sharona again, too. This is a fun addition to the monk series of books. So sad that there are only a couple left to go.
Monk finds himself fighting his revulsion and mistrust of a local business and its proprietor-- it's a store called Poop that sells various products made of dung. There's a surprising bit of growth there that makes you proud of Monk.
It's great to see old favorites Randy and Sharona again, too. This is a fun addition to the monk series of books. So sad that there are only a couple left to go.
May 25, 2018
I enjoyed the detective parts of the book, but I also enjoyed the interaction between the people involved and the humor. My wife told me tha she has not heard me laughing while reading a book so much.
January 15, 2012
Near the end of the eighth and final season of the show, viewers learned that Randy Disher had accepted an offer to become chief of police in Summit, New Jersey and would be moving in with Sharona Fleming, Monk's former assistant and nurse. Randy and Sharona had been pursuing a romance off-screen.
In Mr. Monk on Patrol, Chief Leland Stottlemeyer informs Monk and current assistant Natalie Teeger that Randy needs their help. Because of a financial scandal involving local government, Randy is acting mayor while also continuing as chief of police. Usually there is little to no crime in sleepy Summit, but lately there has a been a string of burglaries. With scrutiny from the state government, he really needs Monk's detecting skills. Monk is, as usual, reluctant to travel, but Sharona arrives in person to apply her own brand of persuasion.
The "Monk" books, like the show, generally fit a pattern (I hate to say "formula" because that sounds pejorative, and I don't mean it that way). Readers who, like me, have read all of the other books will find the usual building blocks of a "Monk" mystery, but with enough new elements to keep things interesting. And it's fun to catch up with Randy and Sharona. Monk even experiences some rather surprising personal growth.
There is a cliffhanger of sorts at the end, but not the annoying kind that will make you want to throw the book across the room because you've invested your time in completing the book only to find that nothing has been resolved. The mysteries are resolved, but Monk and Natalie both have intriguing decisions to make. I'll be very curious to find out what they choose when Goldberg publishes his next installment.
In Mr. Monk on Patrol, Chief Leland Stottlemeyer informs Monk and current assistant Natalie Teeger that Randy needs their help. Because of a financial scandal involving local government, Randy is acting mayor while also continuing as chief of police. Usually there is little to no crime in sleepy Summit, but lately there has a been a string of burglaries. With scrutiny from the state government, he really needs Monk's detecting skills. Monk is, as usual, reluctant to travel, but Sharona arrives in person to apply her own brand of persuasion.
The "Monk" books, like the show, generally fit a pattern (I hate to say "formula" because that sounds pejorative, and I don't mean it that way). Readers who, like me, have read all of the other books will find the usual building blocks of a "Monk" mystery, but with enough new elements to keep things interesting. And it's fun to catch up with Randy and Sharona. Monk even experiences some rather surprising personal growth.
There is a cliffhanger of sorts at the end, but not the annoying kind that will make you want to throw the book across the room because you've invested your time in completing the book only to find that nothing has been resolved. The mysteries are resolved, but Monk and Natalie both have intriguing decisions to make. I'll be very curious to find out what they choose when Goldberg publishes his next installment.
June 15, 2021
Re-read June 2021
This one was so much to read again!
Original review 5/2/12:
It was so nice to be back reading a Monk book, I've really missed them! I am very upset that the next book due out will be the last, it has been so nice to continue the stories after the show ended.
This book was particularly great for me, since it had Monk and Natalie going to stay with Sharona and Disher in New Jersey. I am a HUGE Sharona fan, and Mr. Goldberg writes her perfectly. I always thought her and Disher were adorable when they flirted together in the first few seasons, and I loved the pairing of them in the last season, so it was nice to see their life together.
This ended on a crazy cliffhanger, and I can't wait to pick up the next (and last) book - though I would have felt that way even without a cliffhanger. =)
This one was so much to read again!
Original review 5/2/12:
It was so nice to be back reading a Monk book, I've really missed them! I am very upset that the next book due out will be the last, it has been so nice to continue the stories after the show ended.
This book was particularly great for me, since it had Monk and Natalie going to stay with Sharona and Disher in New Jersey. I am a HUGE Sharona fan, and Mr. Goldberg writes her perfectly. I always thought her and Disher were adorable when they flirted together in the first few seasons, and I loved the pairing of them in the last season, so it was nice to see their life together.
This ended on a crazy cliffhanger, and I can't wait to pick up the next (and last) book - though I would have felt that way even without a cliffhanger. =)
June 14, 2012
I just don't know what to say about this book--everything I think to say about Goldberg's Monk books, I think I've said before. Great storytelling, great use of the characters inherited from the show, good mystery.
Goldberg specializes in taking Monk out of San Francisco and putting him in a circumstance that even non-OCD types would find unappealing (at best)--and he does it to the nines this time. Thankfully, even in the midst of horror and unfamiliarity, Monk (and we) get a little dose of home: Randy and Sharona! So nice to get this peak at their new life in Jersey.
I haven't/won't read what the next installment is about, so I'm not sure where he goes with this, but Goldberg sure sets things up by the end for major character growth. Hope TPTB let him go through with it, it'll be great to read (will probably be great to read if they don't, too).
My only quibble is that Monk uses the epithet, "hell," pretty frequently--I'm not sure if he's ever said it in either the show or Goldberg's works, but I'm willing to bet that it wasn't anywhere near this often.
Goldberg specializes in taking Monk out of San Francisco and putting him in a circumstance that even non-OCD types would find unappealing (at best)--and he does it to the nines this time. Thankfully, even in the midst of horror and unfamiliarity, Monk (and we) get a little dose of home: Randy and Sharona! So nice to get this peak at their new life in Jersey.
I haven't/won't read what the next installment is about, so I'm not sure where he goes with this, but Goldberg sure sets things up by the end for major character growth. Hope TPTB let him go through with it, it'll be great to read (will probably be great to read if they don't, too).
My only quibble is that Monk uses the epithet, "hell," pretty frequently--I'm not sure if he's ever said it in either the show or Goldberg's works, but I'm willing to bet that it wasn't anywhere near this often.
January 24, 2012
Gosh, I really love these books and I'm sad that Goldberg will stop writing them soon.
Monk and Natalie head off to New Jersey to help out Randy who's not only the Sheriff in town but also the acting Mayor thanks to wholesale corruption in the city government. As it usually happens around Monk, someone gets killed, multiple crimes are solved and Monk continues to amaze with his talents.
It's nice to see Natalie and Monk progressing as characters and fun that Randy and Sharona were in the story. The book ends on a cliffhanger which makes me want to read the next one that much sooner.
Monk and Natalie head off to New Jersey to help out Randy who's not only the Sheriff in town but also the acting Mayor thanks to wholesale corruption in the city government. As it usually happens around Monk, someone gets killed, multiple crimes are solved and Monk continues to amaze with his talents.
It's nice to see Natalie and Monk progressing as characters and fun that Randy and Sharona were in the story. The book ends on a cliffhanger which makes me want to read the next one that much sooner.
September 10, 2012
I thought I'd try out a Monk book as I liked the TV series. Boy, did this author capture the essence of the actors on TV. You can literally see them acting out the book in your mind as you read through. Perhaps this is because the author wrote some of the TV episodes. Either way, I am going to look for more.
June 6, 2013
Mr. Monk goes on the road once again, this time to New Jersey, to help out his old friends, Randy Disher and Sharona.
Since the ending of the series, Goldberg has taken the neurotic detective well out of his comfort zone, and developed the character of Natalie Teeger.
The puzzles are fairly simple, but the rest of the book makes up for it.
Since the ending of the series, Goldberg has taken the neurotic detective well out of his comfort zone, and developed the character of Natalie Teeger.
The puzzles are fairly simple, but the rest of the book makes up for it.
March 2, 2014
Monk and Natalie are off to Summit, New Jersey, to help new police chief Randy Disher gain a handle on the string of burglaries plaguing the normally quiet town. This book is an absolute treat for fans of the TV show and Lee's novels based on them because of what he does with the characters.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
January 23, 2012
Another great Mr. Monk book. His disorders and obsessions are still as clever and annoying as ever as are his detective skills. It's great to see him in different settings and situations.
Be warned however, the ending is a cliffhanger. It appears the only way to find out the answer is to read the next book in the series.
Be warned however, the ending is a cliffhanger. It appears the only way to find out the answer is to read the next book in the series.
April 30, 2012
I think Mr. Monk is geting more interesting as he travels, and this is a goody, even with all that crap. And Natalie is beginning to shine.
Is it time for Monk to have a love/hate relationship? Good job!!!
Is it time for Monk to have a love/hate relationship? Good job!!!
September 25, 2023
Mr. Monk on Patrol was a super fun story! I liked getting to see how Randy and Sharona were doing. Didn't expect Monk and Natalie to temporarily (?) become police officers, but it was great to see how natural Natalie was at the job. The ending was a cliffhanger and I am eager to read the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2012
Fun as always!
January 5, 2012
Oh. My. God. Okay, so this was a really good book, but everything in the Monk series is. Excellent plot, etc., but I must warn you there is a cliffhanger from hell. June is too far away!
July 12, 2016
Excellent. Randy Disher brings Monk and Natatlie to New Jersey to help him out in the city of Summit.
March 14, 2012
I really enjoyed this one....I liked the change of scenery and now that Lee left us hanging with the big decision pending, he needs to hurry up and write the next one!!!!!
June 17, 2012
This book was GREAT! It was Mr. Monk at his best. I can't wait for the next one. Must read for all Monk fans. Great job Mr. Goldberg!
July 5, 2012
Excellent story about Adrian Monk and all the other characters from the tv show! Loved it!
July 24, 2016
Loved having Natalie and Monk visit Randy and Sharona in New Jersey!
July 19, 2021
Favorite Monk book so far I think?
October 30, 2012
Another successful installment for the Obsessive-Compulsive Detective and his assistant, Natalie.
For avid reader's and faithful followers of Adrian Monk, some disappointment was inevitable when Randy left San Francisco to live with Sharona on the other side of the country. But never fear, they're back in the story, as Adrian and Natalie spend a few weeks in New Jersey to give a hand solving crimes.
After a fantastic run on television, and twelve previous books, the charm and intrigue have not faded.
The crimes in this book are, as usual, very interesting, seemingly unsolvable. Add Adrian Monk, and you'll find yourself saying, "Of course, why didn't I see that?"
There are a couple of surprises in this story. One that puts Monk in a situation that makes you smile and cheer for the mentally skewed detective; another that will challenge everything you thought you knew about the man; and yet another that leaves you wondering about the future of Adrian Monk.
If II have anything in the form of negative criticism, it is the same as the other Monk books. I will simply say that, especially for fans of the show, Lee Goldberg has given dialogue to Monk that is very uncharacteristic of Tony Shaloub's TV presence.
For avid reader's and faithful followers of Adrian Monk, some disappointment was inevitable when Randy left San Francisco to live with Sharona on the other side of the country. But never fear, they're back in the story, as Adrian and Natalie spend a few weeks in New Jersey to give a hand solving crimes.
After a fantastic run on television, and twelve previous books, the charm and intrigue have not faded.
The crimes in this book are, as usual, very interesting, seemingly unsolvable. Add Adrian Monk, and you'll find yourself saying, "Of course, why didn't I see that?"
There are a couple of surprises in this story. One that puts Monk in a situation that makes you smile and cheer for the mentally skewed detective; another that will challenge everything you thought you knew about the man; and yet another that leaves you wondering about the future of Adrian Monk.
If II have anything in the form of negative criticism, it is the same as the other Monk books. I will simply say that, especially for fans of the show, Lee Goldberg has given dialogue to Monk that is very uncharacteristic of Tony Shaloub's TV presence.
March 22, 2015
Whenever I need a fun, light read I look forward to MONK This series makes me laugh & I can see it all play out in my mind from having seen the actors play the characters, in my mind
In this book, Monk has come a far way both figuratively & literally. He's gone from San Francisco to Summit NJ plus he didn't once need to see his psychiatrist & was even entertained by the "poop woman" Those 2 things speak volumes of this character with such OCD issues. Then again it might be since this is one of the last written by Lee Goldberg? I know the series ends soon
Monk & Natalie both fly to Summit NJ to help their good friend, Randy Disher, who is now both police chief AND mayor of Summit since there was so much corruption in this small town. Randy & Sharona now live here together & Sharona asked them both to help Randy out for a bit while this town hoes through changes from the corruption
There were burglaries & a murder in this town & not much of Detective Stottlemeyer since he's still back in San Francisco but it was nice to read Sharona & Randy were together living in this town
I love this series both book & tv & miss both but I still have some more in the series to read & have DVD's of the show when I want some great entertainment. I'll always love this series :)
In this book, Monk has come a far way both figuratively & literally. He's gone from San Francisco to Summit NJ plus he didn't once need to see his psychiatrist & was even entertained by the "poop woman" Those 2 things speak volumes of this character with such OCD issues. Then again it might be since this is one of the last written by Lee Goldberg? I know the series ends soon
Monk & Natalie both fly to Summit NJ to help their good friend, Randy Disher, who is now both police chief AND mayor of Summit since there was so much corruption in this small town. Randy & Sharona now live here together & Sharona asked them both to help Randy out for a bit while this town hoes through changes from the corruption
There were burglaries & a murder in this town & not much of Detective Stottlemeyer since he's still back in San Francisco but it was nice to read Sharona & Randy were together living in this town
I love this series both book & tv & miss both but I still have some more in the series to read & have DVD's of the show when I want some great entertainment. I'll always love this series :)
January 22, 2012
In the final episode of the series, Randy Disher took the job of police chief of Summit, New Jersey(home of series creator Andy Breckman). Now Randy needs some help.
He only has six officers on his force and he now has double duty. Corruption has been discovered in city officials, all of them, and they've been arrested. Randy is now Mayor until a new election can be arranged and held. A series of residential robberies have been happening
Monk and Natalie get roped into going East. As usual, Monk ferrets out a bank robber while waiting in airport security, solves the mystery of the ghost at their hotel the first night, and ends up with a badge and a gun, along with Natalie, patrolling the streets of Summit in a police car.
And as also with Monk, a murder turns up. It doesn't take him long to figure the guilty party.
Proving it is another matter. Another hilarious Monk tale from Lee Goldberg. He has two more under contract and then he's finished, wanting to do his own books. The publisher seems to be considering another writer.
I probably won't read any of those should they go that route.
He only has six officers on his force and he now has double duty. Corruption has been discovered in city officials, all of them, and they've been arrested. Randy is now Mayor until a new election can be arranged and held. A series of residential robberies have been happening
Monk and Natalie get roped into going East. As usual, Monk ferrets out a bank robber while waiting in airport security, solves the mystery of the ghost at their hotel the first night, and ends up with a badge and a gun, along with Natalie, patrolling the streets of Summit in a police car.
And as also with Monk, a murder turns up. It doesn't take him long to figure the guilty party.
Proving it is another matter. Another hilarious Monk tale from Lee Goldberg. He has two more under contract and then he's finished, wanting to do his own books. The publisher seems to be considering another writer.
I probably won't read any of those should they go that route.
April 20, 2013
Mr. Monk and Natalie go to New Jersey to help Randy Disher. He uncovered government scandal and now finds himself the mayor as well as the police chief. He needs help solving a string of robberies. They are given a squad car to drive in case any new calls come in. Before they even get to the police station, Mr. Monk solves a ghost mystery at their hotel. Shortly after they leave the police station, Monk spots a local gallery named Poop. He wants to go in the store wearing a gas mask and arrest the owner. Much of hilarity in this novel comes from Monk's interactions with Poop's owner. Tension rises after a woman is killed during a robbery. In the end, Monk figures out who the criminal is but not before angering many citizens of the town by giving them tickets for not parking in the center of parking spots, etc. Another fun and entertaining novel about Mr. Monk and his adventures.
March 27, 2012
A very disappointing entry to the series. The main mystery was solved half way through the book leading to Goldberg having to add a murder just to pad the book out. Monk, Natalie and Sharona felt very out of character to me as if Season Eight of the show had never happened.
It is clear Goldberg is preparing to wrap the book series up soon and tacking on a romance for Monk just so he can be "happy," when the show had him on a path I liked much better and which the author seems to have done away with as Trudy's daughter Molly, someone who became very important to Monk, has only been mentioned once in the books since the TV series ended.
I'll continue to read the series, but I don't have high hopes for an interesting wrap up at all.
It is clear Goldberg is preparing to wrap the book series up soon and tacking on a romance for Monk just so he can be "happy," when the show had him on a path I liked much better and which the author seems to have done away with as Trudy's daughter Molly, someone who became very important to Monk, has only been mentioned once in the books since the TV series ended.
I'll continue to read the series, but I don't have high hopes for an interesting wrap up at all.
October 12, 2012
Okay, Monk fans, this is the newest novel featuring everyone's favorite "defective detective." I gave it four stars because I thought it was great; it blended suspense and humor in the traditional whodunit fashion. However, I do have to warn fellow Monk fans that Adrian does some rather "un-Monk-ish" things in this novel; though the reasons why are explained, it still may feel to some like the butchering of a beloved character. In order to decide, though, you would just have to read Mr. Monk on Patrol for yourself.
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