Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu
By Lee Goldberg Thorndike Press - Large Print Edition (2007)
ISBN 10: 0-7862-9548-1
ISBN 13: 978-0-7862-9548-7
Genre: Mystery
Reviewed by Angela Evans - August 31, 2007
Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu, by Lee Goldberg is the latest installment in the series of books based upon the Monk TV series. Once again, Goldberg has ably captured the essence of the television series, and has crafted an excellent story featuring the obsessive-compulsive (OCD) and germ-a-phobic defective detective, Adrian Monk.
In this installment, Monk has an opportunity to rejoin the police force, something he has wanted to do ever since he was compelled to leave due to his OCD problems. Monk's return is abetted by a virulent case of Blue Flu that is sweeping through the San Francisco police department as part of a work slowdown / strike. Assigned to the Homicide division, Monk is set to get his hands dirty solving a host of unsolved murders. The problem is, the new murders keep him so busy he doesn't get to spend much time on the cold-cases.
The story is narrated by Monk's hardworking personal assistant, Natalie Teeger. The story is full of a host of sub-plots and unexpected twists that bring out all of Monk's foibles. Also, due to the nature of the work slow-down, Monk finds himself working with several detectives who are almost as defective as he is, which makes for interesting banter. Along the way, many of the Monk regulars make an appearance, including Captain Leland Stottlemeyer and Lt. Randy Disher.
Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu is a fast, and fun read. If you are a fan of the series, or the other Monk books by Goldberg, this is a must read! This book can be read as a stand-along book, so it is perfect for those unfamiliar with Monk. Fans and newbies alike, you are in for a treat. The story is humourous, detailed enough to keep the story flowing, and it is a perfect compliment to the television series.
Related Reviews:
Mr. Monk Goes to the Firehouse, by Lee Goldberg.
What begins as an investigation into the death of a firehouse dog, soon leads to bigger things and human bodies begin to pop up - and only detective Monk has the necessary skills and neuroses to find the killer. (Large Print)
Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii, by Lee Goldberg.
When the obsessive detective, Adrian Monk follows his assistant to Hawaii, he soon finds a case to test his investigating skills. A tourist has been killed by a falling coconut. The local cops have declared it an accident, and it falls to Monk to prove that it was really a case of murder. (Large Print)
