Customer Reviews

Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii (Thorndike Large Print)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The television series character MONK continues with his quirks and crime solving in book form with MR. MONK GOES TO HAWAII. Mr. Monk afraid to be alone, when Natalie, his assistant goes to Hawaii to be in her best friend's wedding follows her there. In order to fly he takes drugs that had been prescribed some time back that changes his personality from stiff and Obsessive Compulsive to a wild and crazy guy. A side effect of the medication is that it takes away his powers of deduction, but while on it, he's a regular human being. Of course it wears off, and he is appalled at his own behavior. Swimming in a pool and with other people? Shaking hands with no wipes. Mr. Monk needs hand wipes after shaking hands, must have everything even (number of cans, chairs, room numbers), separates his food, etc. He is germaphobic. He is also a brilliant detective.
After the medication wears off, Monk is Monk, seeing clues, liars, and cheaters. As sharp as ever, he sees a crime when the local police write a woman's death off as an accident by falling coconut. Monk is sure she was murdered.
A television psychic is filming his show at the same hotel but who is this psychic Dylan Swift? And why does Monk dislike him?
Is Mitch (Natalie's deceased husband) giving Dylan messages from the other side for Natalie? Does Trudy (Monk's deceased wife) have a message for Monk?
You don't have to be a fan of MONK or to have ever watched an episode on television to enjoy this fast paced, witty, quirky, yet charming suspense. Mr. Goldberg has once again captured the nuances and idiosyncrasies of Mr. Monk and of OC (obsessive compulsive) sufferers. Mr. Goldberg makes us laugh as he takes us on Monk's wild Hawaiian ride solving numerous crimes. Only Monk could find a paradise like Hawaii to be a health risk, and barbaric -- roasting a pig in the ground? Mr. Goldberg gives us just enough clues to let us be MONK if we dare....I read this book in one sitting and loved every moment of it. I felt the tug of heart strings with Mitch and Trudy. I laughed, I was sad, I plotted who done it, but mostly, I loved it! An excellent escape, a great read.

I am really enjoying reading these books about Monk. I've read several other books by Lee Goldberg, including the Diagnosis Murder book where the Doc & his son go to Hawaii. I found it hilarious that they also met the same character that Monk & Natalie meet in Hawaii. (talk about recycling a character - LOL!)

Lee Goldberg writes clearly and easily understood stories that completely fit the characters from the TV Shows. It's easier to carry the books with me on the bus to work than carrying the TV with me in order to get my "Monk Fix". I can't wait to buy the next Monk book.

When Natalie receives an all expense paid trip to Hawaii to take part in her friend's wedding, she anticipates a real vacation. However, Mr. Monk takes his medicine and follows her onto the plane. Naturally the bad guys crawl out of the walls and the neighbors begin to be murdered. Even so Natalie finds time to sit in the sun in her bikini. As is typical of Monk on TV, there are comedic and tragic moments both.

A really funny scene happens in a tiny restaurant which boasts local cooking that the town's homicide detective takes Monk and Natalie to. Adrian is so creeped out by the local flora and fauna he can barely sit at the table.

One of the best story lines is that of a psychic who films his TV shows in the beautiful surroundings at their hotel and Monk's reaction of horror to him. Of course Adrian eventually exposes him as a fraud but you will have to read the book to find out how.

A very moving moment occurs when Adrian, realizing that their rooms are bugged, tells Natalie a moving Trudy story. I choked up a little as he opened his heart in this tender moment.

A book lends itself to more story lines and subplots than a one hour TV show can. It is very enjoyable to be able to spend a couple of hours with Monk and Natalie. Lee Goldberg has done a fantastic job of nailing down the characters and the books are a wonderful read.

This is the second of Lee Goldberg's Monk books that I've read. I started with "Mr Monk & the Blue Flu" which was written after this one and I'm glad that I did. I don't think the true charcter of Monk was really captured in this book. By the time "Blue Flu" was written I think Goldberg got the hang of it but not here.

There are plenty of funny phobias and strange things that Monk does which kept me laughing but they seemed out of place with the more normal things that he does. The different aspects of Monk are too extreme from one another. He's goes from being really Monkish to being just a regular cop doing or saying things that we wouldn't expect from him & it just doesn't flow very well. Also, he & Natalie play too much of a buddy-buddy crime solving team then they should. Of course I base my comparisons & criticism to the show which has really defined the characters so well that we feel like we know them & we know how they should act.

One aspect from the show that Goldberg recycles here that works well is from the episode where Adrian takes medication & becomes "The Monk". He becomes really cool and laid back with none of his usual worries however he also looses all his crime-solving sense. The author uses this to explain why Monk would get on a plane by himself & fly to Hawaii. It provides for an interesting plane ride.

Since the story takes place on location, we don't have all the regular characters involved otherwise the story might just as well be in San Francisco. Thus it becomes mostly a Monk & Natalie story with very little Stottlemeyer & Disher and I think the lack of their presence hurts the book a litlle bit.

The real strength of the story comes through at the end of the book. Without giving anything away, Monk basically solves the mystery due to his trust in his beliefs and it is very Trudy-related. When Adrian opens up & exposes his emotions he becomes vulnerable yet strong at the same time because he knows he is right. This is the main strength of the show also and it is done very well here.

Overall, not tremendous, but I'm still hooked. Which one should I read next?

MR MONK GOES TO HAWAII by Lee Goldberg
August 8, 2006

Amazon Rating: 4/5 stars

I'm not a critical judge when it comes to books such as this. I don't read many mysteries, and while I used to read tons of books that were based on TV shows (such as the Star Trek novels, for example), I hardly ever read these now. I bought MR. MONK GOES TO HAWAII on a whim the other weekend, knowing I was going on vacation and I wanted something light to take with me. I also have never seen the TV series, although I am aware of the title character's "character"...The obsessive-compulsive detective. So, my take on the book is based strictly on the enjoyment I got from reading it, not knowing much about the TV series or the main characters.

In this second novel in the series by Lee Goldberg (who is one of the scriptwriters for the television series), Monk follows his assistant Natalie to Oahu, because he feels he cannot live without her. She is always there to help him with his obsessive-compulsive compulsions (she is always there for him with an antiseptic wipe when he shakes someone's hand). Natalie is flying to Hawaii to attend the wedding of one of her long time friends, and although she knows Monk will have a hard time without her, she decides to put herself first for a change, and takes this badly needed vacation.

Unfortunately Monk follows her on the plane, and she soon discovers that he's under the influence of drugs. He's become the anti-Monk, no longer the obsessive-compulsive man she knows and loves. Fortunately, or unfortunately, this drugged out state only lasts for about 24 hours, and when he comes down to earth (the drugs were prescribed by his doctor to handle the flight to Oahu), he is back to his old self again.

There isn't just one mystery that Monk and Natalie work on while on Oahu, but various small mysteries that occur throughout their stay. What I found charming, however, was Monk himself. The story itself didn't draw me in. I enjoyed reading about his quirks and obsessive ways, and it was fun enough for me to get through the book. The mysteries themselves were entertaining, including one that included Natalie's friend and the soon-to-be groom. Monk's skills as a detective are fun to observe, and the odd traits he exhibits make things even more interesting.

I also enjoyed the setting of Oahu and the Honolulu detectives that Monk and Natalie had to deal with. Having been to Hawaii a number of times, I was able to envision these characters vividly and they felt right on.

While I'd gladly read another book in the series (the first one came out earlier this year and another one is due out in January), it's not a book I'd place on my list of top books read for the year, but it was definitely fun to read and the perfect book to take on vacation. For a quick read on a lazy summer afternoon, I recommend MR. MONK GOES TO HAWAII.

Natalie is ready for a vacation. Fortunately, her best friend is getting married in Hawaii and is giving Natalie a paid week in Hawaii if she'll come to be maid of honor. The biggest problem is telling her boss, Adrian Monk.

When Natalie actually leaves for her trip, she is shocked to find her boss on the plane with her. Yep, he can't take the thought of a week without an assistant and is crashing her vacation.

Even worse, after the wedding, Monk stumbles on a crime scene. Helen Gruber, a fellow guest at the resort, was killed when a coconut fell from a palm tree onto her head. The police are ready to rule it an accident until Monk points out some flaws with the crime scene. Before Natalie knows it, her vacation is over as Monk assists the local police in their search for a killer.

After loving the first Monk novel, I was looking forward to this one. It didn't disappoint in the least. I found myself chuckling, grinning, and laughing the entire way through the book. Once again, author Lee Goldberg has expertly captured the spirit of the TV show.

Since the bulk of the book takes place in Hawaii, series characters Captain Stottlemeyer and Lieutenant Disher are only in a couple scenes. This allows the book to focus more on Natalie and Monk's relationship. Even though Monk is Natalie's employer, she has grown to really care for him. There are several touching scenes that showcase how great their relationship truly is. Additionally, the story gives us a chance to get to know Natalie better with some time spent focused on her back story. Anyone who still hasn't warm up to the character on the TV show will have a different view of her after reading this book.

Having previous set one of his Diagnosis: Murder novels in Hawaii, Lee Goldberg decided to reuse some things. Specifically, Detective Kealoha and the resort that is the focus of the action previous had to deal with Dr. Mark Sloan.

Mr. Goldberg always creates a great mystery for his characters to solve, and this book is no exception. There are more distractions in the way of other, smaller cases then I would normally like, but this is a minor complaint since it rarely slows the main story down for long. Beside, the asides are just as entertaining as the main story. The ending caught me by surprise, always a plus in my book.

If you enjoy the TV show at all, don't pass these books up. You'll thank me later.

Natalie Teeger knows her vacation is already over but she tries to enjoy it and encourages Adrian Monk to enjoy it as well. But can you imagine Adrian Monk in Hawaii in his suit while everyone around him is nakedish? Can you imagine him at all in Hawaii? I couldn't until I read this book.

"Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii" is Lee Goldberg's second of his "Monk" series. Personally I'll probably never go to Hawaii but thanks to Lee's book I've been taken there with Adrian Monk! This trip you can't miss! It's an humerous journey of mystery and adventure that you'll experience through Natalie Teeger's eyes and one you won't forget. One can feel the warm tropical magic of Hawaii blowing across the characters and through the whole story right off the pages to the reader.

Lee Goldberg did a great job and I would quickly recommend this book to anyone.

The other reviews have done a nice job of describing Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii, so I just want to comment on something I found especially refreshing in the novel.

Mr. Monk's explanations to Natalie of how the psychic performs his tricks are right on the money. But, especially since the novel is based on a TV show, I kept expecting the little twist at the end. You know, the moment where we find out the psychic really did know something he couldn't have known - the little "oooo" moment almost every TV show with an alleged psychic puts in to show us that the skeptics were wrong (or as an attempt at humor). But, it never happened. Thanks, Mr. Goldberg!

(See my review on "Mr. Monk and the Two Assistants" for more info.)

This book was much like the others in the series except that it is set in Hawaii. Just like on the show it is very fun and entertaining to watch (or read about) Monk out of his comfort zone. The author thoroughly researched Hawaii (who wouldn't) and as someone who has lived on Oahu and visited Kauai I can tell you that he nailed his portrayal of island life.

It's always fun to see Mr. Monk's alter ego "The Monk" emerge when he takes those special little pills and I would encourage the writers to think up more scenarios in which Monk would feel compelled to take them. They are hilarious.

Again this book would probably be more enjoyed by fans of the TV show but might just make a fan out of the non-viewers.

I'll admit, I was a late bloomer in watching this TV series but after watching a few episodes, I was hooked. I bought all six seasons and when I came across Lee's books, I was so excited to buy one. Mr. Monk Goes To Hawaii was my first choice and I literally laughed out loud thru out the book. I could just "hear" Monk's replies to Natalie and it only added to the love of this book. I devoured it in three days and immediately ordered several more. I give this story ten stars for humor, and true mystery intrique. Don't pass this book up for sheer fun.