Lee Goldberg Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii

Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii

Lee Goldberg

Signet, Jul 2006, $6.99, 304 pp.

ISBN: 0451219007

Mr. Adrian Monk lost his job as a homicide detective because his obsessive compulsive behavior interfered with his performance though somehow he always caught the criminal and SFPD has kept him on the books as a consultant. His idiosyncrasies are difficult to live or work with so his assistant Natalie jumps at the chance to escape for a little while by accepting her best friend's invitation to be in her bridal party in Hawaii.

Monk is unwilling to be parted from his assistant who is also his security blanket so he takes a pill to inhibit his worst tendencies, but also his detecting abilities. Natalie knows instantly that her vacation is ruined when a wealthy woman is murdered at the hotel and Monk happily inveigles his way into the investigation. He soon has several crimes including an illegal drug operation and burglaries along with the homicide to occupy his time.

Nobody writes original novels based on TV shows better than Lee Goldberg does. He captures the essences of Monk and Natalie as well as the ambience of the locale. Although extreme cases of obsessive compulsive behavior can be difficult on the person and those in their sphere, Natalie accepts Monk for who he is and helps him survive in a world where he dances to a different drummer. There is much humor in this tale while Monk's brilliance overcomes his disabilities.

Harriet Klausner