Mr. Monk Goes to Germany

These books are so much fun, they almost make all my issues small by comparison. I have read all the books and anxiously look forward to the next one. If you are looking for pure escapism when you read, pick up these books. The characters are fun and believable (well, as believable as Monk can be), the stories are well written and you do not have to watch the series to enjoy them (I don't have cable and have only seen 1-2 episodes). If you want a fun read, read MONK!

I continue to enjoy these books as Lee Goldberg puts them out. Looks like there is even another coming in Dec 08. This book, like many of his others, was very good. A nice, quick read that, generally, holds true to the TV series. There are a few things I think Mr. Goldberg goes over the top on (some of Monk's disorders, for instance), but he does a good job. I finally realized after reading this book that he indicates when the book takes place in relation to the tv show. Some of the books, for instance, Natalie talks about her 12 year old daughter, Julie. Yet, in the TV episodes currently airing, she's much older. It's nice to realize when the timeframe of the book is in comparison to the show. This was in the author's notes, BTW. Overall, a good book. Monk does what he does best, and its fun to see how he does it in Germany. Maybe one of these days some of the books will turn into episodes.

If everything is going wrong in your life....have I got a book for you. "Mr Monk Goes to Germany" is light and funny and entertaining on every page. It's sure to put you in a better mood. The book starts off with a major catastrophe. Monk has lost a sock and he demands a full police investigation into the crime. As if that isn't bad enough, his new neighbor has only one leg. The man, stuck on Mount Kilmanjaro with his leg caught between two boulders, had to hack off the leg, then eat it to survive. Monk knows in his soul that "'I'm very tasty to cannibals'" (p 31). And now, with things in such a crisis state, Monk's shrink, Dr. Kroger, is leaving on vacation. If you don't laugh out loud, then there is at least a smile on every page.

A huge fan of the Monk series, I was afraid the book would ruin the TV experience for me. As long as you are up to date on Monk, reading any of these books will not ruin the show, however if you have not seen Monk, or at least the first few seasons, it may cause some confusion or spoil some upcoming shows. I found myself laughing out loud at typical Monk antics, even late at night while reading before bed. I came here to order every Monk book I do not have and thought I would share with others what a wonderful experience these books have been! If your on the fence as a TV Monk fan, get the books, you won't be sorry!

Mr. Monk Goes to Germany The latest book in Lee Goldberg's Mr. Monk Series is well-paced and exciting. The chapters speed by as though you are watching a good movie. Monk is coping fairly well when Dr. Kroger announces that he is going to Germany for a weeklong conference. Within 24 hours Monk has turned into an emotional wreck fraught with abandonment issues. He is convinced that Dr. Kroger cares deeply about him and won't be annoyed about being followed overseas. He pays Natalie's way for her and with a bit of chemical help "The Monk" flies to Germany with his assistant. The book is full of comedic moments as Natalie navigates their way to the village where the tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs originated. Picture Monk staying in a centuries old house built without any right angles! There is just enough description of the charming setting around Lohr, local customs, and people to make the book interesting, but it never becomes the focal point. Naturally there is no such thing as a quiet vacation (including routine appointments with a less than pleased Dr. Kroger at the conference center) when Monk is around. The bodies start to show up almost immediately which puts the village's tiny police department into a tailspin. Again the writing is clever as we meet Commissioner Stoffmacher and Lt. Geshir who just happen to have a Skipper/Gilligan relationship like Stottlemeyer and Disher back home! Monk spots a six-fingered man in the village, and immediately the detecting becomes very personal for him. Although the man is an upstanding citizen Monk is determined to find criminal evidence against him and works relentlessly to this end. There are many twists and turns to the plot as Monk with Natalie at his side digs for the truth. Natalie's voice as the narrator is funny and full of insight. She provides the normalcy that counterbalances all of Monk's unique perceptions. There are some unexpectedly dramatic scenes with Dr. Kroger. At this point the book is moving on fast forward with the reader along for a wild ride. Everything resolves itself in the end of course as Monk ingeniously solves the mystery. For me the book was over too soon!