Mr. Monk Goes To The Firehouse (2006) - Plot & Excerpts
Let me begin by saying that about a year ago, my family and I got into the hit-television show Monk shortly after we signed up for Netflix. What followed was a two month-long blur in which we worked through all eight seasons of the show. By the end of it, we were exhausted, amused, and had grown fond of an obsessive compulsive detective (who, coincidentally, looked a lot like an Arabic man from our church). It was my younger sister who discovered that Lee Goldberg wrote a series of novels based on the TV series.Now, fast forward about a year: I was on break from school, and I had just finished a monster of a novel, one of those novels that really make you think about life. I wanted to read something, but I didn't want it to be nearly as taxing on me and I wanted it to be a quick read. I ended up reading Mr. Monk Goes to the Firehouse. The book was very straightforward – a firedog is murdered, and Monk searches for its killer. Of course, there are surprises and twists, as one would expect in a good Monk story, and it was almost impossible to guess the outcome, given Monk's uncanny ability to notice things that most people don’t. But it was a fun read, nonetheless.The novel is narrated by Monk’s assistant, Natalie Teeger. Natalie's reactions to Monk's antics in the television show were limited to whatever audible response she gave, but what I liked about the book adaptation was that the tables were turned. The readers got a sense of what it was like to be Adrian Monk's assistant. By the end of the book, I sympathized with Natalie for all she has to put up with. And finally, I thought that for the most part, the character Monk on the page synced up with the character Monk on the screen.This definitely isn't Pulitzer Prize material (I don't think it deserves more than 3 stars), but it was an entertaining read and if in the future I'm looking for another throwaway novel while my brain decompresses from something gargantuan, I'll be turning to the Monk series.
Eccentric, obsessive, compulsive all describe detective Adrian Monk and each of the qualities adds a certain amount of charm, and frustration for some, to the character. His long suffering companion Natalie Teeger and his former police partner Captain Leland Stottlemeyer take the brunt of his eccentricities but they manfully, and womanfully, retain their friendship and admiration for Monk despite the frustrations that he piles upon them. Author Lee Goldberg captures their relationships, and Monk's often very strange behaviour in a superbly sympathetic way.In this novel, the first in the Monk series, a dog dies at the Firehouse, a fire consumes a troublesome lady who was objecting to a redevelopment plan and a hobo dies in his cardboard shack. Are the deaths all related, is there somebody with something to lose who is responsible or were they simply accidents with no malice involved?The police department are puzzled, Natalie's daughter, who is an animal lover, engages Monk to investigate the death of the dog and this brings him into a tangled web of corruption, deceit and desire. Against all odds, Monk's individual style of investigation, much maligned at first by Captain Stottlemeyer, turns up trumps and the investigation ends up a huge success.The tale is told by Natalie, who, having lost her husband, finds a touch of romance with a firefighter and that little love affair is an underlying plot to the main story. It turns out ... well, enjoy the read to find out!
What do You think about Mr. Monk Goes To The Firehouse (2006)?
Admittedly, writing about a book based on a television detective won't do much for my literary credibility but, I said I was going to write about all of the books I read this year and this was the second one I read. I think you'll find as the year goes by, assuming that I keep this up, that I read a lot of different types of books and that there is nothing that is either too lo or too high brow for my attention.I'm assuming that anyone reading this is probably at least a little familiar with the USA network TV series, "Monk," which is about the exploits of a San Francisco private detective who just happens to be obsessive/compulsive. The show is quirky, hilarious and well crafted as is this book, which appears to be the first in a series.I don't know whether Lee Goldberg wrote this book before he began writing for the series or vice versa but he has captured the tone of the show beautifully. It is written from the perspective of Natalie Teager, Monk's long suffering assistant and de facto baby sitter, and he writes in her voice perfectly. The story if full of neurotic asides that give the reader an insight into Natalie's thinking in an endearing way. Her character is likable from the first page of the book, which is crucial because Monk, in all of his mentally damaged glory, isn't always the most likable character.Books that are based on characters from a television show are generally light fair and this book is no exception. However, Goldberg's firm grasp on the personalities and intricacies of those characters make this a quite pleasant if not exactly thought provoking read. There is, after all, artistry in simplicity.
—Dan
Obsessive compulsive. Almost all detective story propose an unique person. And through this book we can figure out how a weirdo solve the problems with his way which is funny...even make you annoyed when he interrupted in problems of germs (hygiene) and symmetric. Natalie and captain Stottlemeyer give strong role to to all series of Mr.Monk. I wonder the feeling of them when they were with him.In this series, thanks to a firehouse dog!Anw, it's not a boring book. Recommended!!!Thx for my ex who introduced these books to me.
—Maureen Devi
Monk's house is being fumigated and he has to find somewhere to go until it's finished. The hotels were no good, all had their imperfections and having enough of trying to find the perfect hotel room for Monk, Natalie invites him to stay at her house. But will she regret it?Soon after arriving at Natalie's, Monk is hired to find out who murdered the firehouse's dog, Sparky. But apparently, Sparky isn't the only victim. Monk has to find out what is going on.I love the show Monk. I've seen all the episodes and honestly, I'm sad that it ended. It is one of my all time favorite tv shows and I watch the reruns whenever they are on TV.I received this book for Christmas last year from my boyfriend and finally got around to reading it. I think it's just as enjoyable as the show and definitely helps to fill the void of being without new episodes. The book is well-written, entertaining and I really like that it is narrated by Natalie.It was very good and I read through it pretty quickly. I'll be reading the other Mr. Monk books eventually.
—Eden
