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Mr. Monk #7
Mr. Monk Is Miserable
On a return trip from Germany, Monk and Natalie stop over in Paris. They visit the catacombs, a vast, underground cavern in the center of the city lined with millions of human bones. Monk picks up a skull and announces that the person was murdered. Most of the bodies came from a battlefield, but Monk believes the wound that killed this man came from a modern weapon made in the last few years. He thinks someone hid a recent murder victim among the ancient bones. As Monk starts to investigate the crime, he uncovers another murder that involves a society of dumpster divers, people who live commerce-free off the waste of society. It might just be the last straw in Monk s visit to Paris."
Audiobook
First published December 1, 2008
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About the author
Lee Goldberg
157 books2,095 followersLee Goldberg is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over forty novels, including Malibu Burning, Calico, Lost Hills (the first novel in his acclaimed "Eve Ronin" series), 15 "Monk" mysteries, five "Fox & O'Hare" adventures (co-written with Janet Evanovich), and the new thriller Ashes Never Lie, the second in his "Sharpe & Walker" series.. He's written and/or produced many TV shows, including Diagnosis Murder, SeaQuest, and Monk and he co-created the Hallmark movie series Mystery 101.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
December 17, 2019
Mr Monk is an OCD - obsessive, compulsive, detective with extraordinary powers of observation and deduction. A bonus for the reader is a beautiful trip to Paris - City of Lights and Sewers!
The short list of his fears
He’s afraid of germs, splinters, coloring books, mixed nuts, lint, curly hair, milk, sleeveless T-shirts, balls of yarn, dust bunnies, Neil Diamond, bird droppings, untucked shirts, granola, Chia Pets, and so many other things that he’s created a list of his phobias that spans several leather-bound volumes with footnotes, historical references, photographs, diagrams, and a detailed index.
Monk also believes that everything he sees, and everyone he meets, must adhere to his ridiculously arcane rules of order. Basically, he wants everything to be even, straight, balanced, symmetrical, organized, and consistent. And since nature and humanity generally refuse to comply, Monk finds the outside world to be a constant source of frustration and anxiety.
Conversation when flying
I glared at Monk. “Do not say another word for the rest of this flight.”
“You’re right,” Monk said. “I should save my voice for screaming as I plummet to my death.”
Murder? Not again!
It’s always murder. Nobody dies of natural causes around Adrian Monk.
And there’s no point in arguing with him about it. When it comes to homicide, Monk is never wrong, no matter how outlandish or impossible his declaration may seem at the time. I’d gradually accepted that. But what I couldn’t get used to was the body count everywhere we went. Pretty soon, I’d have to start carrying body bags around with me.
It was so unfair.
The simple things in life can bring so much pleasure
The waiter brought our meals. The croque monsieurs were perfect square sandwiches of French ham and Swiss Gruyère that were grilled in a press that left a wafflelike impression in the melted cheese on the top. They looked a lot better than the grilled-cheese sandwiches my grandmother used to wrap in aluminum foil and then press with her iron.
Monk looked at his croque monsieur with something akin to wonder.
“So this is gourmet food.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” I said. “It’s just a typical French sandwich. Every bistro has it.”
“Does it taste as good as it looks?”
“Try it and find out.”
Monk cut a piece of the sandwich with his knife and fork and put it in his mouth. He smiled as he chewed, then washed it down with a sip of Sierra Springs.
“This is living,” he said.
A bottle of water, a grilled-cheese sandwich, and the promise of a trip to a sewer—what more could any man want?
You would think that a free trip to Paris would be a great vacation, but without murders to solve Mr Monk was miserable.
Then dead bodies began literally falling at his feet!
Enjoy!
The short list of his fears
He’s afraid of germs, splinters, coloring books, mixed nuts, lint, curly hair, milk, sleeveless T-shirts, balls of yarn, dust bunnies, Neil Diamond, bird droppings, untucked shirts, granola, Chia Pets, and so many other things that he’s created a list of his phobias that spans several leather-bound volumes with footnotes, historical references, photographs, diagrams, and a detailed index.
Monk also believes that everything he sees, and everyone he meets, must adhere to his ridiculously arcane rules of order. Basically, he wants everything to be even, straight, balanced, symmetrical, organized, and consistent. And since nature and humanity generally refuse to comply, Monk finds the outside world to be a constant source of frustration and anxiety.
Conversation when flying
I glared at Monk. “Do not say another word for the rest of this flight.”
“You’re right,” Monk said. “I should save my voice for screaming as I plummet to my death.”
Murder? Not again!
It’s always murder. Nobody dies of natural causes around Adrian Monk.
And there’s no point in arguing with him about it. When it comes to homicide, Monk is never wrong, no matter how outlandish or impossible his declaration may seem at the time. I’d gradually accepted that. But what I couldn’t get used to was the body count everywhere we went. Pretty soon, I’d have to start carrying body bags around with me.
It was so unfair.
The simple things in life can bring so much pleasure
The waiter brought our meals. The croque monsieurs were perfect square sandwiches of French ham and Swiss Gruyère that were grilled in a press that left a wafflelike impression in the melted cheese on the top. They looked a lot better than the grilled-cheese sandwiches my grandmother used to wrap in aluminum foil and then press with her iron.
Monk looked at his croque monsieur with something akin to wonder.
“So this is gourmet food.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” I said. “It’s just a typical French sandwich. Every bistro has it.”
“Does it taste as good as it looks?”
“Try it and find out.”
Monk cut a piece of the sandwich with his knife and fork and put it in his mouth. He smiled as he chewed, then washed it down with a sip of Sierra Springs.
“This is living,” he said.
A bottle of water, a grilled-cheese sandwich, and the promise of a trip to a sewer—what more could any man want?
You would think that a free trip to Paris would be a great vacation, but without murders to solve Mr Monk was miserable.
Then dead bodies began literally falling at his feet!
Enjoy!
May 1, 2010
I was sad to finish this book because I was enjoying the time with Monk and Natalie. I love their relationship and all of Monk's quirks.
September 18, 2013
Goldberg mentioned on his blog that this book was being released as an audiobook on Audible.com -- the first audiobook release in the "Monk" series. I made sure to be caught up in the series in time to take the audiobook (my first Audible.com purchase) with me on a road trip to visit my brother for Parents Weekend at his college. And it was worth the effort (not that reading "Monk" books is much of an effort) -- I can't tell you how much I loved listening to this audiobook. The book itself is wonderful -- the third (and probably final) entry in what I think of as the Monk "travel" novels, the gorgeous descriptions of Paris made me want to visit the city even more than I already do. There were some hilarious moments (Monk and Natalie being forced to share a hotel room -- and no, it's not a set-up to a madcap romantic comedy between opposites, it's just an inconvenience), some heartbreaking moments (Natalie's sudden bolt of grief for Mitch, and Monk's reaction to it), and scenes of sheer delight (the plane trip from Germany to France). The settings are described so lushly that I could picture the scenery in my mind -- the book actually made me want to visit the Paris sewer museum! I also thought the mystery was one of the series's best -- the plot and mystery unfolds as the city does to the reader, and I loved the dramatic switches in location: the city streets, the sewers, the restaurant in which you dine in complete darkness, the homes of the Freegans (the what? Read and find out), the underground tunnels and catacombs.
Natalie and Monk have a non-stop, ever-shifting _adventure_ in this one, which made it perfect road-trip entertainment -- and it wasn't lacking for character development and a scene or two of real sweetness between the two main characters, the latter of which is my favorite thing about this series.
I also gotta applaud Laura Hicks, the audiobook reader. She's done a bunch of audiobooks, and it's easy to see why -- she's awesome. She has to come up with a lot of character voices, including many with French accents, and also rattle off quite a bit of French, and she pulls it all off flawlessly. I particularly liked her voice choices for the two main characters: Natalie (from whose perspective the book is written) has a slightly higher voice when she's speaking (to differentiate from her first-person narration of the novel), and Monk himself. Instead of trying to just deepen her voice to ludicrous degrees (which is how a lot of women try to do male voices, just as a lot of men use falsettos for women's voices and call it a day), she actually creates a _voice_ for him. Hicks does talk in a lower tone than what she uses for, say, Natalie, but she also adds a slight, pleasant rasp to Monk's voice, making him quirkier. She doesn't sound like Tony Shalhoub in terms of tone, but she's got the _spirit_ of Shalhoub's Monk down with it, and I love it. Her accents are great and there was never any doubt of who was speaking -- and she's got a voice that is both engaging and soothing. I could listen to her on the hours-long drive without getting sleepy (a major problem of mine with audiobooks), but I could also listen to her before bed to relax -- it was an awesome combination.
I finished listening to the book when I got back and started listening to it again from the beginning a day or two later -- I'm halfway through (when I put it aside for awhile to listen to the new "Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii" release), but I can't wait to go back to it and finish it. It's _good_.
Natalie and Monk have a non-stop, ever-shifting _adventure_ in this one, which made it perfect road-trip entertainment -- and it wasn't lacking for character development and a scene or two of real sweetness between the two main characters, the latter of which is my favorite thing about this series.
I also gotta applaud Laura Hicks, the audiobook reader. She's done a bunch of audiobooks, and it's easy to see why -- she's awesome. She has to come up with a lot of character voices, including many with French accents, and also rattle off quite a bit of French, and she pulls it all off flawlessly. I particularly liked her voice choices for the two main characters: Natalie (from whose perspective the book is written) has a slightly higher voice when she's speaking (to differentiate from her first-person narration of the novel), and Monk himself. Instead of trying to just deepen her voice to ludicrous degrees (which is how a lot of women try to do male voices, just as a lot of men use falsettos for women's voices and call it a day), she actually creates a _voice_ for him. Hicks does talk in a lower tone than what she uses for, say, Natalie, but she also adds a slight, pleasant rasp to Monk's voice, making him quirkier. She doesn't sound like Tony Shalhoub in terms of tone, but she's got the _spirit_ of Shalhoub's Monk down with it, and I love it. Her accents are great and there was never any doubt of who was speaking -- and she's got a voice that is both engaging and soothing. I could listen to her on the hours-long drive without getting sleepy (a major problem of mine with audiobooks), but I could also listen to her before bed to relax -- it was an awesome combination.
I finished listening to the book when I got back and started listening to it again from the beginning a day or two later -- I'm halfway through (when I put it aside for awhile to listen to the new "Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii" release), but I can't wait to go back to it and finish it. It's _good_.
December 27, 2023
This book was mistitled. It should have been called "The Reader is Miserable," "Natalie is a Whiner," or "The Author Needed an Excuse to Visit Paris." While I learned a great deal about Paris, I did not enjoy this book, because there was no overarching storyline and the primary mystery didn't begin until well into the book. At least with the Germany book we got into some stuff about Trudy's murder that sort of tied things together and more or less justified the ridiculous trip to Europe.
I'll also confess two things. One, I was slightly surprised--though I shouldn't have been--to learn these Monk mysteries are chronicled by Natalie. Of course they are, as she is the second Watson to his Holmes. Two, I always preferred Sharona to Natalie. She may have grown on me a bit by the end of the show, but I always thought it was a mistake to replace Sharona. So it is with complete and enduring bias that I say Natalie gets on my nerves, and these books spend a bit too much time in her head diving into her own problems and complaints, of which there are many. In later books, like this one, there are more and more scenes that take place entirely without Monk, so it's all her and her complaining and justifying and rehashing her personal history. Since Monk is the saving grace of these books, too much time without him in the picture makes the book drag.
And she does way too much whining! "I just want a vacation! Wah, wah, wah." You're in fucking Paris on someone else's dime. Who gives a shit if you also have to take Monk to talk to a few people so he can solve a crime? Big deal. It's fucking Paris. Not to mention, only a couple books back, she was in Hawaii. For a girl who doesn't get paid enough and never gets a vacation, she's a freaking globetrotter.
Once we finally got to it, the crime itself was only mildly interesting, and I always find books that get into social or political issues tiresome. This one was no different. And I won't even get started on all the cliches.
Bottom line, this book was boring, tedious, and, toward the end, irritating. I adore Monk and his oddities and innocence. I love that this series is another way Monk fans like me can continue to enjoy the show we all loved, and I have enjoyed getting some inside into the show from the perspective of the writers' room, but gee whiz, Mr. Goldberg, the next time you want to take a vacation, just take one. If you must write off the expense, consider writing a travel blog or a few travel articles.
I'll also confess two things. One, I was slightly surprised--though I shouldn't have been--to learn these Monk mysteries are chronicled by Natalie. Of course they are, as she is the second Watson to his Holmes. Two, I always preferred Sharona to Natalie. She may have grown on me a bit by the end of the show, but I always thought it was a mistake to replace Sharona. So it is with complete and enduring bias that I say Natalie gets on my nerves, and these books spend a bit too much time in her head diving into her own problems and complaints, of which there are many. In later books, like this one, there are more and more scenes that take place entirely without Monk, so it's all her and her complaining and justifying and rehashing her personal history. Since Monk is the saving grace of these books, too much time without him in the picture makes the book drag.
And she does way too much whining! "I just want a vacation! Wah, wah, wah." You're in fucking Paris on someone else's dime. Who gives a shit if you also have to take Monk to talk to a few people so he can solve a crime? Big deal. It's fucking Paris. Not to mention, only a couple books back, she was in Hawaii. For a girl who doesn't get paid enough and never gets a vacation, she's a freaking globetrotter.
Once we finally got to it, the crime itself was only mildly interesting, and I always find books that get into social or political issues tiresome. This one was no different. And I won't even get started on all the cliches.
Bottom line, this book was boring, tedious, and, toward the end, irritating. I adore Monk and his oddities and innocence. I love that this series is another way Monk fans like me can continue to enjoy the show we all loved, and I have enjoyed getting some inside into the show from the perspective of the writers' room, but gee whiz, Mr. Goldberg, the next time you want to take a vacation, just take one. If you must write off the expense, consider writing a travel blog or a few travel articles.
March 14, 2018
This book was really good. It was a little confusing to understand the French language, but the story line was great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2023
Mr. Monk is Miserable was really good! I liked how it picked up right where the previous book left off and we got to see Monk is Paris. The crime was an interesting one to try and solve. I liked how it wasn't obvious. Monk was hilarious at times, as usual. 😂 It was nice how the captain and Randy were back.
December 29, 2010
I absolutely loved Monk when it was on TV and was so upset it ended (so upset, in fact, that I refuse to watch the finale and admit it's over). These books fuel my denial by helping me think Monk is still on the air. I love reading them; they are so accurate and funny... just like watching the show. In this book, Natalie blackmails Mr. Monk into taking her to Paris, where they encounter not one, not two, but THREE murders (upsetting Natalie's vacation plans in the process). It seems where ever Mr. Monk is, murder finds him... It's a gift, and a curse.
November 11, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is the first in the series that I have read. I was a big fan of the TV series and this book followed spirit and flow of the TV series quite well. It was a pleasure to follow the usual characters on an international journey. The Paris travelogue was interesting. I'm sorry I missed seeing the catacombs when we vacationed there. If I get back it will be on my short list. This was a nice breezy read while on vacation on Florida. I will be reading more in the series.
March 27, 2019
TV writing does not easily translate to books. Books have a depth of description that frame the characters and the settings. This Monk series does not have that.
AND SO -- ABANDONED/Trashed/sent back to the library from wince it came.
In retrospect it's interesting to see how the stories become more and more cringe-worthy. Not the mysteries nor the deaths, but Monk's character. He becomes so negative and hateful, not liking anyone who is at all different. It makes me want to tell him that bread and cheese are made with the poop of yeast.
Rather read the original Conan books.
AND SO -- ABANDONED/Trashed/sent back to the library from wince it came.
In retrospect it's interesting to see how the stories become more and more cringe-worthy. Not the mysteries nor the deaths, but Monk's character. He becomes so negative and hateful, not liking anyone who is at all different. It makes me want to tell him that bread and cheese are made with the poop of yeast.
Rather read the original Conan books.
July 15, 2010
If you love the TV series of Monk like I do then this is worth reading. If you haven't seen the show then a lot of the book will not make sense. If you are looking for a really good mystery and haven't seen the show then don't pick up these books. However, if you are looking for a decent mystery based off of an awesome TV show that is also an easy read then go for it. The writing is decent and the mystery is also decent. I was caught by surprise by a twist that was pretty clever. I thought it was fun to see Paris from Monk's standpoint. These books are written by one of the actual show writers and he does a very good job of novel work too. You sometimes get more insight into the characters in this format. A common issue with books based on movies or TV shows is that they are constantly referring to episodes or quoting lines from the movie (and in one Star Wars book I read...misquoting the movie). In this book there is a little of that but it is more in the line of additional insight into a character or plot rather than just thrown in there to tie it in with the series. My favorite character was the French version of Randy Disher. He acted like him and had several of his mannerisms. He even was in love with the Randy Disher Project...Randy's garage band (that really needs to stay in the garage if you've seen the show). The Randy Disher Project has one song....that has a cult following in Paris. How it got to Paris no one knows but my favorite scene in the book was the night club concert tribute band to Randy. He's treated like a rock star in the club so he thinks he actually is one...even though no one outside of that club knew who he was. Nothing to do with the actual case...but still my favorite part. :)
April 17, 2009
I've read previous books in the series by Goldberg, and he seems to be getting better. This was probably not my favorite, but it was okay.
Mr. Monk and his assistant, Natalie, find themselves in Paris, after having visited Germany to find his psychologist. One almost needs to read the previous book, Mr. Monk goes to Germany, to discover some of the plot details. Nevertheless, this book can stand on it's own.
After solving a murder aboard the plane he is on, he comes to the attention of the local police who are all amazed by his abilities. While he and Natalie are at a dinner in a sensory deprivation style restaurant, their table mate is murdered. Monk investigates and finds himself in the sewers and catacombs of Paris.
It was fun to come across places I've been to in Paris and reliving some of the memories of my short visit. But what bugged me most about the book was Goldberg's frequent use of French phrases without completely translating them. Apparently the reader needs to be fluent in French or look them up. Not all are understandable. Other that that flaw, the book seems to follow the same formula the TV series and other books follow in that no detail is too small for Monk to overlook, and no piece of garbage or outrageous moment is to absurd to chronicle.
The book was quite amusing and entertaining. I'd be happy to recommend it, especially to fans of the TV series or his other books.
Mr. Monk and his assistant, Natalie, find themselves in Paris, after having visited Germany to find his psychologist. One almost needs to read the previous book, Mr. Monk goes to Germany, to discover some of the plot details. Nevertheless, this book can stand on it's own.
After solving a murder aboard the plane he is on, he comes to the attention of the local police who are all amazed by his abilities. While he and Natalie are at a dinner in a sensory deprivation style restaurant, their table mate is murdered. Monk investigates and finds himself in the sewers and catacombs of Paris.
It was fun to come across places I've been to in Paris and reliving some of the memories of my short visit. But what bugged me most about the book was Goldberg's frequent use of French phrases without completely translating them. Apparently the reader needs to be fluent in French or look them up. Not all are understandable. Other that that flaw, the book seems to follow the same formula the TV series and other books follow in that no detail is too small for Monk to overlook, and no piece of garbage or outrageous moment is to absurd to chronicle.
The book was quite amusing and entertaining. I'd be happy to recommend it, especially to fans of the TV series or his other books.
August 15, 2011
This direct sequel to Mr. Monk Goes to Germany is my favorite in the series so far. Natalie blackmails Monk into extending their time in Europe, because she wants to visit France where she one honeymooned with her late husband Mitch. Monk doesn't understand why Natalie doesn't take the same enjoyment he does in solving murders and visiting the sewer museum - that's his idea of a fun vacation. When a San Fransisco native's body is found in the catacombs, Natalie has no choice but to get behind Monk's idea of the ideal vacation. Captain Stottlemeyer and Lt. Disher come to Paris to help investigate the murder and discover that Disher is a cult celebrity in France for his one-song-wonder with the Randy Disher Project. He has some hilarious moments that really add to the fun of this European Monk mystery.
March 10, 2022
This was like a trip to Paris! I have never seen an episode of Monk, but I love tie-in novels. So I thought I’d test my love with a book about a TV show I’ve never seen. I’m not sure I’d watch the show, but I might read another in the series.
The story is fun and the writer does a good job of transporting the reader to France. Even though I’m not really familiar with characters from the show, I could hear their voices in my head. What I’m trying to say is I felt the writer captured the characters but I’m not qualified to say that.
The story itself was fun, but the real mystery starts around page 100 and it gets interesting around page 150. So there’s lots of “filler” but it’s enjoyable, if not the most efficiently constructed mystery story.
I got the sense the writer wrote this to give Monk fans extra time with the characters as opposed to a novel length mystery.
The story is fun and the writer does a good job of transporting the reader to France. Even though I’m not really familiar with characters from the show, I could hear their voices in my head. What I’m trying to say is I felt the writer captured the characters but I’m not qualified to say that.
The story itself was fun, but the real mystery starts around page 100 and it gets interesting around page 150. So there’s lots of “filler” but it’s enjoyable, if not the most efficiently constructed mystery story.
I got the sense the writer wrote this to give Monk fans extra time with the characters as opposed to a novel length mystery.
December 26, 2023
__________________________
You’ll thank me later.––Mr. Monk
My Dear Mr. Goldberg:
I know that you were one of the writers on the most excellent TV program Monk. It is on my top 10 list of my favorite TV programs ever. Thank you so much.
However, without Tony Shalhoub to make Monk funny and human, Monk comes across in the novels you have written about him as just rude and annoying and grating. If he wasn’t a fictional character, I’d throw rotten garbage at him. I hate to be the one to tell you this, but I thought you needed to know.
Thanks again,
Pseudonymous d’Elder
You’ll thank me later.––Mr. Monk
My Dear Mr. Goldberg:
I know that you were one of the writers on the most excellent TV program Monk. It is on my top 10 list of my favorite TV programs ever. Thank you so much.
However, without Tony Shalhoub to make Monk funny and human, Monk comes across in the novels you have written about him as just rude and annoying and grating. If he wasn’t a fictional character, I’d throw rotten garbage at him. I hate to be the one to tell you this, but I thought you needed to know.
Thanks again,
Pseudonymous d’Elder
May 14, 2017
I would have given this book 3 1/2 stars if possible. Natalie was way to negative for me in this one but I also realize that was the point so that was the extra half star.
May 7, 2022
Having read several of these books back to back, I'm getting a little tired of Mr. Monk!
February 13, 2021
This book was the funniest so far but also it was kinda boring when the author described Paris in more detail than necessary for this type of book.
April 14, 2025
2.5 ish ⭐️
March 20, 2018
Trochę za dużo Paryża, a za mało Monka :(
May 15, 2024
I love Monk
May 11, 2019
Monsieur Monk is Mee-zur-ah-ble! After getting blackmailed by Natalie to go on a murder-free vacation, the duo find themselves in France. Mystery and croquet monsieurs abound as they stumble across death that opens a new murder case. This time Monk, his assistant and a few key familiar players work together to find the suspect and the evidence to take this person down. But how can they solve this one in the "City of Lights" when the murderer has left them in the dark?
It's strange how from the beginning I felt this was like a "Mr. Monk Goes to Germany, Part 2" as it spends time explaining much of the first one and then telling how it lead to this story. I love how this story gives us not just the quaint side of France but the underbelly of it as well. It is not afraid to explore places that no one who would travel there would normally want to go. I also liked that this one had poignant moments as well while I felt the one before this was a little too mean-spirited. You see each person's point of view and watch them transform over time. The dialogues got me laughing a lot as well as the situations surrounding them. Monk goes sight-seeing in a hazmat suit. How is that not funny but believable to his version of "normal"?
I'd recommend it to people who love the tv show (in which there are numerous references to events from different episodes) as well as people who have a tough skin. This story does make fun so if ones can't take that there is no reason to read it. I enjoyed it very much.
It's strange how from the beginning I felt this was like a "Mr. Monk Goes to Germany, Part 2" as it spends time explaining much of the first one and then telling how it lead to this story. I love how this story gives us not just the quaint side of France but the underbelly of it as well. It is not afraid to explore places that no one who would travel there would normally want to go. I also liked that this one had poignant moments as well while I felt the one before this was a little too mean-spirited. You see each person's point of view and watch them transform over time. The dialogues got me laughing a lot as well as the situations surrounding them. Monk goes sight-seeing in a hazmat suit. How is that not funny but believable to his version of "normal"?
I'd recommend it to people who love the tv show (in which there are numerous references to events from different episodes) as well as people who have a tough skin. This story does make fun so if ones can't take that there is no reason to read it. I enjoyed it very much.
January 2, 2009
The overall story of this book was good and I liked how it all came together at the end. I did not like that this book was from Natalie's point of view. I prefer seeing Monk from a more objective 3rd person point of view, because Natalie's view if necessarily biased. That could still have worked, but I felt the author got Natalie all wrong. She came across as much harder and more harsh than on the show. She was quite unlikable, really. I also felt the book was more about Natalie than about Monk, often sending Monk off on his own while Natalie went out and had adventures. I also don't think Natalie would be that manipulative or uncompromising or just "I just don't care" all the time, no matter how tired she was.
I also felt the characterization of Monk was off. He also came across as more harsh and even quite snotty. On the show he is often quite selfish and self-absorbed, but I don't think even Monk would be as nasty or intrusive as he sometimes was in this book.
Much of the book read like a travelogue, and I'm not sure quite so much detail was necessary. While it was interesting to me, I would have preferred a story that focused more on the characters and the plot.
I wouldn't recommend this book to fans of the show. It was an enjoyable and quick read otherwise, though, so I'd recommend it to anyone who might be interested in in a whodunit type of mystery with quirky characters.
I also felt the characterization of Monk was off. He also came across as more harsh and even quite snotty. On the show he is often quite selfish and self-absorbed, but I don't think even Monk would be as nasty or intrusive as he sometimes was in this book.
Much of the book read like a travelogue, and I'm not sure quite so much detail was necessary. While it was interesting to me, I would have preferred a story that focused more on the characters and the plot.
I wouldn't recommend this book to fans of the show. It was an enjoyable and quick read otherwise, though, so I'd recommend it to anyone who might be interested in in a whodunit type of mystery with quirky characters.
March 15, 2012
I believe fans of the Monk television series will find this book pretty satisfying. Monk is portrayed with all of his foibles and phobias and the debates with Natalie read like a script from the extremely charming television show. This time, Monk winds up in France, and is, as usual, out of his element-- until he stumbles across a murder victim and begins detecting.
As usual, those around him are both amazed at his insight and detective ability while being annoyed by his OCD behavior, phobias, and outspokeness.
The mystery isn't what I would call a great mystery. There are very few clues dropped for the reader to pick up on and begin to put together. There is one that I won't mention, but they are very obscure. This is, as usual, in keeping with the style and pacing of the television program which is more about Monk's mental dysfunction in unusual enviroments at times then the actual mystery.
Still, the mystery isn't disappointing, either. The author does a great job of keeping the story moving forward while Monk struggles with disorder and filth (as he sees it) and keeping the style and theme far better than most adaptions of television series do. It probably helped that Goldberg worked on the television series.
Thoroughly enjoyable for existing Monk fans, but I don't think anyone who has missed the television series will enjoy it as much.
As usual, those around him are both amazed at his insight and detective ability while being annoyed by his OCD behavior, phobias, and outspokeness.
The mystery isn't what I would call a great mystery. There are very few clues dropped for the reader to pick up on and begin to put together. There is one that I won't mention, but they are very obscure. This is, as usual, in keeping with the style and pacing of the television program which is more about Monk's mental dysfunction in unusual enviroments at times then the actual mystery.
Still, the mystery isn't disappointing, either. The author does a great job of keeping the story moving forward while Monk struggles with disorder and filth (as he sees it) and keeping the style and theme far better than most adaptions of television series do. It probably helped that Goldberg worked on the television series.
Thoroughly enjoyable for existing Monk fans, but I don't think anyone who has missed the television series will enjoy it as much.
June 4, 2009
'Mr. Monk is Miserable' reads like a travelogue enhanced with low grade bickering throughout.
Monk's perseverative personality is rich with potential, (a la Running With Scissors, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) however, it's squandered on flippancy and whining.
The boundaries of the relationship between Monk and his assistant are inconsistent: Is her role to ease his way socially or to bully him? Does he see the world in literal terms or is he just selfish? Does she interpret him to the community and vice versa or is she merely his handler?
I couldn't finish it. The lack of compassion and prose got to me.
Monk's perseverative personality is rich with potential, (a la Running With Scissors, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) however, it's squandered on flippancy and whining.
The boundaries of the relationship between Monk and his assistant are inconsistent: Is her role to ease his way socially or to bully him? Does he see the world in literal terms or is he just selfish? Does she interpret him to the community and vice versa or is she merely his handler?
I couldn't finish it. The lack of compassion and prose got to me.
January 6, 2011
After exhausting the series on television, finally on Netflix, I took up this book as my first Monk novel. I was not disappointed. It was different to hear the story from Natalie's point of view, but also somewhat refreshing since I often caught myself wondering what thoughts were going through herhead during a distinctly "Monk" moment.
I did feel it took a bit to get to the real central plot of the book, and perhaps if I had read the previous I might not have felt that way, but ah well, it was still a great read and complete surprise at the end for me.
There was a good mix of detecting and humor and I loved the Randy aside very much.
I did feel it took a bit to get to the real central plot of the book, and perhaps if I had read the previous I might not have felt that way, but ah well, it was still a great read and complete surprise at the end for me.
There was a good mix of detecting and humor and I loved the Randy aside very much.
April 17, 2012
I have never seen any of the Monk TV programs, for which Lee Goldberg has written episodes. If they are anything like this book, I have missed out on some good TV. This book is funny while at the same time remaining serious in the search to solve murders. He is fastidious about his appearance, likes everything to be a multiple of two, perfectly square, and cannot stand to see anything out of order. This includes when he goes to someone's office or home. He begins to straighten the shelves, put books alphabetically, rearrange chairs so that they are positioned correctly, etc. What makes it so funny to me is that I know a man who is exactly like Monk. A good, light read.
August 2, 2015
3.5 stars rounded to 4. Another fun episode in the Monk series. Monk is in Paris after being tricked by Natalie into going. He works with the French police to solve murders while Natalie tries to enjoy a vacation. This book was very well-researched and gave lots of information on the sewer system of Paris and the Freegan movement. The storyline was fun as well as interesting. For those who ROO (Read out of order), I recommend reading the previous book Mr. Monk Goes to Germany first as there are a lot of references to the prior plotlines.
March 20, 2014
This entry in the tie in series finds Monk and Natalie on vacation in Paris. But Monk doesn't start to relax until he finds a recent skull mixed in with all the ancient ones in the catacombs. I found the beginning a bit slow, but the mystery was engaging and the book was absolutely hilarious.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
September 4, 2015
This book does the job it was intended to do: entertain. Monk in Paris - you see the possibilities for absurdity? Very funny, extremely witty. I needed this, since I had been reading writers with no sense of humor like Steinbeck and Turgenev. If you're tired of cliche characters, heroes with tough guy names and scars on their backs or recovering alcoholics, you'll appreciate the originality of Monk.
October 23, 2019
I had such a nice time revisiting Monk. I loved the show and I loved this book too. I think the pacing may be a bit slow to some but I liked it. The murder investigation intersperse with the characters going sightseeing and socializing and those scenes were so charming I didn’t mind it. Would love to read the other books if I can get a hold on them.
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