Mr. Monk and the New Lieutenant

I really enjoyed the this book, and I am sad that this will probably be the last book in the series.The mystery revolves around who is trying to kill Captain Stottlemeyer, and why. The established Monk characters are there, and have grown with each novel.Natalie Teeger, who is the voice of the novels, seems to have grown the most, from Monk's inexperienced assistant to a real detective in her own right, as well as being Monks partner (and technically his boss.) She has even graduated to calling him Adrian, and sometimes "Monk". She's also a bad-ass who carries a Glock and isn't afraid to use it. She also has some really nice scenes with her daughter, Julie.Adrian Monk is basically his same character, but seems to have a meaner and more manipulative streak to him, with the hippies and with bringing Randy into the fold.Captain Stottlemeyer is still big and tough, but has also been sick and injured, so it's fun to see him both be tough and strong, but also have to be taken care of by his his wife and his friends.A.J. Thurman (Cartlidge in the description) is the title character. He is obnoxious and dislikes Monk and Natalie's presence whenever he encounters them. He reminded me of a cross between season 1 Randy Disher and Agent Grooms ( a character who made a couple of appearances in the t.v. series: Mr. Monk and the Sleeping Suspect, and Mr. Monk Gets Cabin Fever). The fact that Monk and Natalie don't really like or appreciate Thurman isn't really that unusual. Randy and Monk/Sharona didn't really get on in the first season, and neither did Amy Devlin and Monk/Natalie until trust could be established and the lieutenants could come to appreciate what team Monk brought to the crimescene. It's interesting to bear the story out and find out what happens with this character. I was both shocked and not shocked by the end of the novel (no spoilers!)Randy Disher does make a return visit to Monkland. In the previous novel, it was established that he mistakenly arrested the new mayor of Summit for murder and the mayor and the whole city of Summit did not take it well. (That is the cliffhanger from the last novel). As we revisit the former Lieutenant, he is of two minds as to how to deal with the situation. He wants to do well with his job, but finds it difficult when the entire city seems to have it in for him. In "New Lieutenant" we have Monk trying to convince Randy to stay and take up his old position as Stottlemeyer's second in command, and Natalie trying to talk him out of it, trying to convince him to go back to Summit and prove himself. (I'm of two minds as to the resolution of this.)Sharona Fleming, Monk's former nurse/assistant/babysitter and Randy's current live-in girlfriend, makes a brief appearance, and it's good to see her again. But, it's way too brief.My only complaint about the book is that it ends as a cliffhanger with no one to take up the story. Otherwise, we have a good story, a good mystery, the humor is there (I chuckled out loud a few times), and some really sweet scenes. . It is your classic Monk story.Again, hopefully someone will take up the reins and take Monk into a great new direction, but as of now, this is the last Monk novel.

Very enjoyable, good mystery and a summation of where the characters should be should a new writer be found for the series. Otherwise, this will be the last Mr. Monk book, which will be very sad indeed. Maybe it's time to bring the series back to TV. As far as I know all the actors are still alive and unemployed or at least underemployed. So why not, it would be a real TV event?

Similar to series, and does reference many episodes. But I didn't find Monk as endearing as Tony Shaloub plays him. There was also one thing said that I thought was an actual error, but I can't remember what it is because I've read another book since.

I'm really mad that this book might be the last Monk book of the series. Maybe in the Monk universe. Like the last book "Open for Buisness" it took me only two days to read it, which upsets me because now what? Will a new book come? Anyway I hope the series continues. I look at the books as new episodes. But now on the book, I'm really glad Hy ended it with "the planets being allined". Anyone who read the book will understand what I mean. Also the relationship between Monk and Natalie seems to be more grounded and supportive where as in previous books Monk didn't care or showed very little emotions. Also the action that occurs including the Nazi Cousin's will make you turn pages quickly.Including the identity of Sue O'Brien and what her plans were. Did not see that coming; very original. The Hippies are funny too, especially when Monk does a duet with one of them.Also as to the who and why for the killing of Judge Oberlin and the attempting murder of Leland Stottlemeyer will actually leave you saying "Huh?" I didn't expect that to be the reason (as to why they were the targets) but it makes sense.Any Monk fans out there will be glad on how the book ended and I hope that whoever continues the series (if it does continue) should treat it with care and respect just like how Hy did when he took over Lee Goldberg for continuing it. If it is the final novel, I'll say this: "Thank you, Mr. Monk."

Though the first writer who wrote the Monk books was succeeded by Hy Conrad, I was hesitant to purchase more Monk books written by a new-to-me author. Not to fear. Hy Conrad, who was also associated with the tv series "Monk", is just as wonderful as the first writer who started the series. I am not reading the books in order. In this book, Monk & Natalie run their own private investigator business. It is ten years down the road from when Natalie started working for Monk. Her daughter Julie is an adult now. Lieutenant Disher is chief of police in another state and living with Sharona! I loved Sharona! The new lieutenant is unlikeable but does the job. Someone is trying to kill Captain Stottlemeyer. The main plot is excellent. The sub-plots are very good. As importantly, there is enough humor to provide good entertainment value. Disher makes an appearance when he goes to SanFrancisco to help his old pals out. They all wish he could have stayed. So do I.

I just love the Monk books. I think they are fun to read. No sexual content and vulgarity, it proves how you can read a book and enjoy it without all the filth

Enjoyed this book, a very fast read but thoroughly felt the essence of the characters stayed true to the entire Monk franchise. Sad that there's not another book to continue the adventures of Monk and Teegar.

I enjoyed the tv series and wanted to also read the book

どうやら冒頭でも示されているとおり小説版はこの第19巻でひとまず完結という事のようです。トニー･シャルーブさんはじめ今作品を生み出した素晴らしい方々に感謝!!どうせ99%の確率で日本語版が出版される可能性はないと思うので、ドラマ版を全話見た後は英語の勉強がてらひたすら読みまくるが良し。途中でライターが変わってからギャグよりもシリアスな展開が増え、単語も難しいものが増えどうかと思っていましたが、さすがに最終作(2017年時点)だけあってストーリーは重厚かつ濃密であり最後まで飽きさせません。ストットルマイヤーのユダヤ人としての知られざる過去、ネオナチやヒッピーなど政治的に面倒臭い人々が話の中心となっていますが、勘のいい人はディッシャーが助っ人に来たあたりで犯人は分かってしまうかもしれません(笑)最後の数ページでシャローナ・フレミングも登場しますが、夫のランディともども捜査の進展には何ら影響しないあたりが、ＴＶ版と違って残念かな。

I was disappointed in this book. It seemed to lack the humor and suspence of the other books. And the ending was confusing. I mean are the books going to continue or are we just going to be left in limbo over everything? I .hope they find someone capable of continuing the series the way it first started.

A small disappointment if we compare this last book with the whole series. The former ones were much, much better.

Monk begegnet Randy Disher wieder. Ein Wiedersehen mit alten Bekannten ist immer schön, dafür nervt der neue Lieutenant. Hy Conrad zeichent gewohnt präzise Monk und Natalie, die ständig an Profil gewinnt. Leider hört Conrad nun auf!!!