Mr. Monk Gets on Board by Hy Conrad

Mr. Monk #17

by Hy Conrad

Obsessive. Compulsive. Detective. An all-new original mystery starring Adrian Monk, the brilliant investigator who always knows when something’s out of place... Of all the things that make Adrian Monk uneasy, change ranks high on the list. So when Natalie completes her P.I. license—and technically becomes Monk’s boss—it’s not easy for him to accept. Nor can he accept Natalie attending a business seminar at sea without him, even if it means spending a week with her on a cruise ship. Between choppy waters and obnoxious kids, Monk finds himself in a perfect storm of anxiety. Luckily, Mariah, the cruise director, is always able to smooth things over…until someone pulls the man overboard alarm, the ship drops anchor—and the crew fishes Mariah’s dead body out of the water. Finding alcohol in Mariah’s system, the ship’s doctor declares her death an accident, but Monk isn’t convinced. He knows that Mariah and the captain were having an affair. Could someone have pushed her overboard? When the captain hires Monk and Natalie to look into a mysterious rash of vandalism onboard, Monk steers the investigation toward murder…

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Humor, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Adult, Mystery Thriller

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 7, 2014

About the author

HY CONRAD has made a career out of murder, earning the 2022 Independent Press Award for Best Mystery (“The Fixer’s Daughter”) and 2022 NYC Big Book Awards for Best Mystery Series (“The Fixer’s Daughter,” “Sins of the Family”), a Scribe Award for Best Novel (“Mr. Monk Helps Himself”) and garnering three Edgar nominations from the Mystery Writers of America (for the “Monk” TV series). Along the way, he developed a horde of popular games and interactive films, hundreds of short stories and a dozen books of solvable mysteries, published in over 15 languages. Hy is best known for his eight seasons as writer/co-executive producer for the ground-breaking TV series, “Monk.” Other shows include “White Collar” and “The Good Cop.”

As a novelist, Hy authored the final four books in the Monk series, the Amy Travel Mysteries (“Toured to Death,” “Dearly Departed” and “Death on the Patagonian Express”) and the Callie McFee Mysteries (“The Fixer’s Daughter,” a Barnes & Noble bestseller and “Sins of the Family”).

In the world of theatre, his produced works consist of “Home Exchange” (a mystery), “Ta-Dah!” (a musical), and “Quarantine for Two” (a socially distanced dark comedy about the pandemic).

When he looks up from his keyboard, Hy sees either the hills of Vermont or the palm trees of Key West, depending on the time of year. He also sees Jeff Johnson, his partner of 43 years, now his husband, plus Nelson and Stella, the latest in a dynasty of mini-schnauzers.

www.hyconrad.com
Facebook: hyconrad
Instagram: hyconrad1

Reviews

[Kent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Conrad really needs to step up his game if he wants to maintain the creativity and humor the previous books in this series. This book was good, but it could have been so much better. Reading the preface helps me understand that this was supposed to be a script for a episode, so he has presented us with recycled material. Novelists need to be so much better than script writers and he fails in this effort.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely NOT one of my favorite Monk books!

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another fun book in the Monk series. I really enjoyed it. Hy Conrad was one of the writers of the TV series and he's great! Highly recommend!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will always love this series even if the books are kinda cheesy.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review from Amazon:

Another great Monk book. I love reading the Monk books. There always a lot of fun to read and it seems, that each book gets better every time they come out. Mr. Monk Gets on Board was a lot of fun to read. There is a lot of great laugh out loud Monk moments in the book. Any Monk fan I believe, would really enjoy reading Mr. Monk Gets on Board.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Monk Gets On Board by Hy Conrad is the 17th book in the Mr. Monk Mystery series. Natalie has now complete her P.I. licence and attends a business networking conference on a cruise ship with Mr. Monk joining her. Unfortunately they are unable to prevent the murder of Mariah, the cruise director, and are hired to investigate a series of vandalism incidents on the ship. Another fun book in one of my favourite series. I love the way Mr. Monk's mind works and how he is able to solve the most baffling crimes. Lots of laughs along the way as usual.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Monk books. Since I’ve watched every episode at least twice I can picture their faces and voices perfectly. This one was great as Monk had to overcome all his fears when he decided to join Natalie in a business cruise. I had no idea he had a girlfriend and that made for interesting twists in the mystery. It was great knowing whodunit in both mysteries and watching the details unravel. I need more Monk in my life as he makes everything seem so normal in comparison.

[Emma Kamen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not good but I loved it

[Tayeh Ahadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t really know that I was expecting. I guess I thought the book would be on the same level as Agatha Christie novel and that not certainly was not true. I guess that’s what happens when a book is written based off of a show rather than the other way around. It kinda just felt like I was reading an incredibly slow paced narration of a Monk episode. You know, books usually have more details and twists and turns than their film/show counterparts do, but this actually seems to have the exact same amount, or even less. It was still pretty entertaining but much more boring than any mystery novel should be, with absolutely no induced mood of suspense. Basically, it felt exactly like I was reading a screenwrite, which makes sense since the author was a screenwriter for the show. The first person POV also put me off, especially since it wasn’t even from Monk’s point of view, and instead from his assistant’s (now business partner)

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read every single Monk book so far in the series. This is by far the most frustrating. As with Conrad's previous book in the series, this book fails to really get Monk. His ability to get over his phobias and not get over his phobias is all too convenient. Not to mention that Conrad has Natalie backtracking
on things she's said before about Monk I(like how she might have mentioned before that he
doesn't have an understanding of sarcasm, but
really he has all along.)

Conrad also completely changed the moral code and integrity of Natalie and Monk. In this novel, Monk and Natalie let attempted murders go free without a word to the authorities and with nothing more than getting the criminals to agree to never try to kill the guy again. Not to mention that the criminals failed murder
attempt hurt two innocent people. Plus, not only did they attempt murder once, but they tried three times. What did Monk and Natalie do? They solicited business from one of the perpetrators who happens to be a criminal attorney with a need for a PI. Pretty shady stuff.

It also gets even worse than that. Natalie (WHILE SHE'S ON LAND) suspects that a woman is going to be murdered by the man she's having an affair with. Instead of warning the woman (and you know, convincing her not to go back on the ship), she and Monk get all high and mighty thinking that they can handle everything. Their arrogance instead gets her killed.

I'm going to continue reading the rest of the Monk books for no other reason than my love of the TV show and curiosity about how things turn out. But, it's not surprising that Conrad only wrote a few books before throwing in the towel. There's a reason he wasn't picked first for writing this series.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Monk Gets On Board is the 17th book on Monk from the TV series of the same name and the third by Hy Conrad.

Natalie Teeger has formed the Teeger and Monk, Consulting Detectives LLC are getting her PI license and is wondering what it will be like to be Monk's boss, rather than his assistant. Natalie is well aware that Monk is a brilliant investigator, but Natalie is sure that the only difficult thing will be working with monk's OCD. Most of their cases come from the San Francisco Police Department.

Their first case involves the murder of Lester Melrose in the library of his exquisite mansion and having been killed by someone using a statue of Homer. The only people who live there, in a addition to Lester, is his son, his butler and Portia Braun. Also at the mansion when Natalie and Monk went to begin their investigation is Malcolm Leeds. Leeds is a book expert who is there to authenticate the extensive collection of books. Leed's soon convinces Natalie to book passage on the Golden Sun for their business conference aboard ship. Shortly after they set sail, Mariah, the cruise director, falls to her death from the ship. Then other events happen aboard ship and Monk and Natalie begin to wonder if they are pranks or they might be related to Mariah' death.

A fun, funny and quick read.

I will probably be reading more of these books.

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

My biggest complaint with this book is that Conrad described Monk as understanding and reacting to sarcasm, which Goldberg had previously stated that Monk has zero sarcasm capabilities...there are so many contradictions between the two authors, and I think that part of the problem is that Goldberg had done an amazing job with the Monk books before, and Conrad is simply having a hard time filling those shoes.

[Janice Croom · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you liked the Monk television show, you'll like this story. In fact, it was originally intended to be an episode on the show. One problem, no cruise line would let them film on a ship. Quick, enjoyable read.

[Ben Steiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had already heard a lot of horror stories about cruises. This confirms even further that I never want to go on a cruise.

[Gabrielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

couldn't finish..horrible.

[Johnny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Associate Producer and regular writer on the television series, Hy Conrad is the perfect writer for the Monk novels. Mr. Monk Gets on Board is a novel based on a script never actually produced, due to problems in getting a cruise line to cooperate in the filming of the episode. The story takes place after the events I described in my earlier review of Lee Goldberg’s Mr. Monk is a Mess and develops the partnership between Monk and Natalie Teeger even further. In this “episode,” Natalie and Monk have just opened a detective agency and Natalie opts to go on a cruise full of attorneys and entrepreneurs who network during an on-board program called, “B. to Sea.” The “B.” in the title stands for business in the cute little pun.

As with most of the novels, there are several mini-mysteries solved in the set-up. Indeed, there is an overarching relationship between Natalie’s and Monk’s presence on this cruise ship and a case that was seemingly solved earlier in the book. Indeed, there are relationships which aren’t entirely transparent throughout the book. One would almost think this was hidden information except for the fact that there are delightful clues sprinkled throughout the narrative.

Plus, no one will be disappointed in the comedic moments. It is difficult enough to imagine Monk dealing with being on a ship, much less dealing with the messiness of seasickness and drunkenness. Perhaps, the funniest moments are where Monk causes a situation and unwittingly causes people to think Natalie is at fault. And, of course, Monk’s pecuniary stinginess leads to more than a couple of chuckles.

When it comes to the final revelation, however, I found myself way ahead. Of course, one of the reasons that one reads a mystery is to feel that wonderful sense of accomplishment when one figures out “Here’s how it happened…” before Monk actually says it. In fact, Monk isn’t the only one who gets to say, “Here’s how it happened…” in this novel, rather a bonus factor. For some reason, Mr. Monk Gets on Board seems lighter than most of the other Monk novels I’ve read. But that’s okay because it was exactly what I was in the mood for.

[Emilou · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.

I love the Monk TV series. I have seen it multiple times. And I'll admit, the first handful or so of the novels were good. I enjoyed them. But somewhere along the way (sometime when the novels went beyond the TV series and Lt. Disher was sent away), the books started going downhill. I don't think it was the lack of Dish (although I love that goof so much), but I started to lose interest.

I'm a chronic book finisher. I've been telling myself, welp, I've read the series this far. I should finish them. And then a lightbulb turned on over my head while I was halfway slogging through this book, (which should be called Mrs. Teager Pushes Mr. Monk Out, because these book are obvious about her). I realized I don't have to finish them.

Hurray.

Here are my reasons to abandoning this series:

1. Monk doesn't grow. In fact, he seems to de-evolve from where he had ended up at the end of the series.

2. Natalie has also de-evolved to several female stereotypes. My biggest question is: If she's pinching pennies both in the business and in her household, why is she buying so many bottles of wine?

3. The attempts at humor are just sad. I'll admit that a majority of why Monk is funny is because of the actor (Tony is a card) and because a lot of the humor is visual gags, but a majority of the book feels like Natalie is just criticizing Monk and complaining about how bad of a partner he is. It's no longer enjoyable.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

MR. MONK GETS ON BOARD
BY HY CONRAD

IN this MONK mystery we find out Natalie gets her P.I. license and her and Monk decide to become partners. Natalie talks Monk into going to business seminar for people starting new businesses. The catch is the seminar takes place on a cruise ship. As always where you find Monk and Natalie , dead bodies start to show up mysteriously. If you like MR. Monk you will love this book. Hy Conrad is now the new author of the MONK series. MR. Conrad was one of the original writers of the Monk T.V. series.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book sometime this year and forgot to review it. I remember that Monk ends up on a cruise ship after Natalie books one to make connections for their business. Monk shows up and proceeds to ruin things in his normal, OCD ways. The cruise ship seems to magnify some of his issues and phobias. Some of the circumstances are amusing as only he can be. A woman on the ship dies mysteriously and the owners ask Monk and Natalie to investigate because their business cannot take the bad publicity. Entertaining as always and I will continue to read this series.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big improvement over recent previous entries in the series. The characters are back to being themselves, the mysteries are credible, Conrad drops enough hints throughout that the solutions make sense, and there was minimal Ellen in this one. I'd give this one four stars if I knew she was gone for good, but he left open the possibility of her return and my reaction to that is

[Jaellayna Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book - the first of the "Monk" books I've read. I have seen all of the series and loved-loved-loved them. The best-ever, always funny and always sweet, too. I think that's why I gave this book a "4" instead of a "5." I expected more humor and more heart. Perhaps that is an impossible standard. I plan to read others in the series soon. What can possibly be bad about revisiting the ever-loveable Monk?

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun, Mr. Monk adventure! This book was from Kathy and I specifically started it before vacation so I could bring it with me on my trip to Greece. It was a perfect book to read in the airport and at the end of a long day of sightseeing and walking. Monk anf Natalie never disappoint! Fun fact – I left this book in Santorini at our Airbnb hoping someone will stay there, see it, and read it and enjoy it. Kind of cool to think someone in another country might be happily surprised to find it.

[Nadhilla Melia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really don't like the way Natalie is written in these books. She comes across as selfish and self-absorbed and as if she has no sense of morality, even though I know that's definitely not her character. The mystery does read like a typical Monk episode, though not one of the more clever ones. Personally, I prefer the TV show.

[Austin · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was so much explaining that I thought this was the first in the series--after the TV series. I loved Natalie in the TV show, but the Natalie in this book dislikes Monk. I can't understand why she went into business with someone she can't stand. Disappointing. I won't be reading any more books in this series.

[Eric Geoffroy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was difficult to finish this thing. The narrator is inane and just plain unlikable. And the Monk character is inconsistent with his personality quirks. The mystery itself, the clues, the unravelling, etc is so rinky-dink. A 10 page Encyclopedia Brown story beats it in terms of plot, puzzles, and characters.

Just awful. Avoid.

His next book should be "Mr. Monk Gets on My Nerves" or "Mr. Monk Goes from Cute and Funny to Downright Irritating."

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was loving this story and the writing until chapter 6 when they started unpacking Fiji water...Monk only drinks Sierra Springs! Hasn’t the author ever watched Mr.Monk goes to Mexico! Lol overall it was a great book, great story, interesting murders. I’d recommend

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently they had tried to make this into an episode forever, but no cruise line would let them film on a ship. It was a good enough story, but didn't quite scratch the itch of watching a new episode. I don't know that I loved it being from Natalie's POV either. It felt like it needed more Monk.

[Al Menaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Hy Conrad Monk novel. Quite excellent, moves characters forward, lots of mysteries. Natalie developed.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Mr. Monk books are just light, fun reads that are fairly predictable but still enjoyable. This one certainly maintains that tradition.

[Bernice Rizor · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting but like it more tv series you got see his character mote