Mr. Monk Goes to the Firehouse

I'm a huge Monk fan. After getting through Seasons 1-4, which I got for Christmas, I was looking for more. I found the books, and thought why not give it a try. Mr. Monk and the Firehouse is an excellent read. Quick and easy, yet suspenseful, just like the show. The first few pages started out kind of "slow", and I was worried it wasn't going to be as good as the show, but once you get about 1/3rd into the book, it gets really good. The story is told by Natalie, which is hilarious. If you've seen the show, it's really easy to picture everything that is going on, it's almost like you're right there with them. Even if you haven't ever seen the show, the book is still worth a read. It's great!

I love the series Monk and have always been a fan of Tony Shaloub, he is the funniest guy ever. Loved him as Antonio in Wings and equally so in Monk. This book had me laughing out loud, I kept seeing Mr. Shaloub through the book as I read, His mannerisms etc. There is mystery and humor throughout. This was actually the first one I read and I went right out to buy Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu and Mr. Monk goes to Hawaii. Can't wait to get to them. Very entertaining and a change of pace, truly enjoyable! Hope Mr. Goldberg as more on the way, fun read.

Good news. For once, a novel based on television actually is readable. Not only does Goldberg capture Mr. Monk perfectly, he manages to be funny at the same time. Among the treats: Monk tries to find a hotel room that lives up to his standards of neatness, driving the hotel manager to guzzle little bottles of vodka from the minibar. Monk finds out there is no zone nine where the really clean trash, like his, is put. Worse, he has to dig through the garbage to find a clue to the murderer. It's a fun, brisk read.

This book surprised me. Although I am a voracious reader I've seldom found books based upon movies and television series to be worth the time but this one definitely is. I'll let others tell you about the plot, it doesn't really matter anyway for this is part of the story of that uniquely beguiling, frustrating, indescribable man called Monk. The television show rides firmly and happily on he back of the marvelous Tony Shaloub's award winning portrayal of a man with a mission to sanitize and organize San Francisco, before reading this book I couldn't imagine anyone successfully translating Monk to the printed page but Mr. Goldberg certainly has. His choice of Natalie as the narrator makes all the difference, her energy, humor, humility and insight works much better then could any other character in the series at bringing Monk to life. Trust me, this book works, it's tons of fun and true to the character.

If you like 'Monk' the TV series, you will love this book. Lee writes the books ('Diagnosis Murder' included)with all of the guidelines of the series in mind and I am sure he adds things and has a little more fun expanding on some situations. Although not written from Monk's point of view, Lee writes from his assistants point of view and you will enjoy how he pulls off the twist, and does so brilliantly. It gives a different and interesting insight into the Monk character. This first of the Monk novels will make readers clamor for more MONK. And if you have never seen the series, you will still love the book. Richard Yokley