Mr. Monk Gets Even

I put off reading this book for a couple of days after receiving it, I just didn't want the ride with Goldberg at the helm to end. Since Mr. Monk Goes to the Firehouse, Goldberg has taken the (great) characters from the TV show and given us sides/dimensions to them that the show didn't have time or opportunity to develop. This is particularly true after the finale episode where Goldberg didn't have to worry about contradicting the show's canon, but was free to grow the characters...to add new ones, to make significant life changes and so on.And when it comes to serialized detective fiction -- no matter the medium, it's the characters that count. Yes, the plots and mysteries need to be enough to hold your interest -- and you need a laugh or two when the series is along the lines of Monk; and Goldberg can do that just fine. But what brings viewers and readers back again and again.Mr. Monk Gets Even handles the character stuff flawlessly. To send himself off with a bang-Goldberg brings back Dale the Whale, larger and more preposterous than ever; Stottlemeyer's career and life are in jeopardy; Monk may be wrong; Ambrose (I'd pay for Ambrose books written by Goldberg) reaches another major milestone; and, of course, Natalie is at a crossroads, too. And that's just the major points. Shouldn't forget some of the most prominent use of Julie Teeger in any medium.Goldberg does it all with panache, respect for the characters, a lotta laughs, and just the right emotional moments to bring his time with the series to a close.Great read.

With this, his fifteenth Monk novel, author Lee Goldberg ends his run, going on to write original material.Monk is investigating a series of murders made to look like accidents> He figures that early on and who the murderer is. Just no physical evidence to prove it.At the same time, Monk runs up on an old enemy, Dale The Whale, the enormous and rich murderer. He's serving two life sentences in prison and Monk him there. To large to get out of bed, the state is tired of paying for his care and the plan is to give him surgery, sucking out large amounts of fat and removing the extra skin. Cheaper in the long run.Monk has a crisis of confidence when his serial killer is murdered himself and Dale manages to escape from the heavily guarded hospital during an emergency influx of patients in an incident at the emergency room.And suddenly Stottlemeyer is under suspicion of helping Dale escape. He's been under financial pressure and a large chunk of money is deposited in his bank account the day after.Everyone but the officious Deputy Chief of Police knows it's a set-up by Dale to frame the Captain.Monk must call on all his talents to figure it out and clear the Captain.A nice ending to the author's run. Another author has taken the reins with the Monk series. We'll see how that goes.

Mr. Monk Gets Even is the 15th book in the Monk series and the last one that Lee Goldberg will be writing. (I see from Amazon that Hy Conrad will be continuing the series.) So, a bittersweet read, as I've enjoyed the series for many years now. This one wasn't quite as funny or even quite as moving as some have been in the past, but it did wrap things up well--wrapped up, at least, as the end of an era rather than of the whole series. I won't give anything away, but Mr. Monk does get even, at least for now: given a universe as unbalanced as ours, things are likely to become odd for him again very soon. And the characters around Monk find themselves in the right places at book's end too. Thanks to Lee Goldberg for many years of good reading.-- Debra Hamel

I believe that Lee Goldberg—one of our most prolific authors—to also be among the very best writers working today.His novels include several genres (many in the Film Noir style), but I have been particularly amazed that he has produced more than a dozen books about the endearing and unforgettable TV character O.C.D. ADRIAN MONK.Lee Goldberg has an truly extraordinary ability to capture the unique personality and special style of Mr. Monk so well, that reading these novels allow his many fans to become immersed in the pages to the point of almost feeling that the series is still on the air; and his using Natalie as the narrator in these novels--a brilliant stroke--enhances the books and all of the memorable characters beautifully.CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR GREAT WORK, MR. GOLDBERG!... and hopefully there may yet be more MONK books in the future.--R. Howe (a.k.a. Toby Martin II) / Erskine, MNCOPY TO AMAZON.COM AS A BOOK REVIEW (11/27/2013)

Well a while back a wrote a review dealing with the last Monk book I had read. Lee Goldberg has once again produced an enjoyable book to read. The humor and plots were well written and once again the ending allowed for further growth of the main characters. I am waiting for the next book to be produced and even though Mr. Goldberg has stepped away from writing the series I believe that (and hope) there will be NO DEVIATION from the growth of the characters. I was surprised at the ending of this book as I thought that Natalie was going to be hired by the LAPD; but her getting a PI license would be just as interesting a thread to be developed. Good luck to Mr Goldberg in his endeavors and keep your OCD hero alive in your thoughts as you pass on the torch of Monk and company

I've loved all of the monk mystery books. If you liked the TV show, you'll like the books. They really capture the humor and spirit of Adrian Monk and the TV show. This book was a bit darker in spots than most of the Monk books, which I'm not a big fan of. I've heard this was the present author's last book in this series. I've also heard a new author will be taking over the series. I hope he keeps up the spirit of the books from the present author.(I'm sure he will).

Very very pleased with my first copy of Mr. Monk books. Just found out recently about the series. Want to collect them to keep with the Complete Boxed Series of the TV show.

Perfect, thank you!

Another wonderful Mr Monk book, highly recommend!

This is probably the best book that has been written in the whole series of MONKWhy did I enjoy it so much? Because it was about Monk, not Natalie TeegerShame they all hadn't been like this.

I laughed out loud here, as always thoroughly entertaining and maddening too if you let Monk get to you.

Excellent, the usual entertaining story recommend.