Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Here's the thing about brilliant detectives..." (more)
Key Phrases: Dylan Swift, Helen Gruber, Adrian Monk (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Can books be better than television? You bet they can-when Lee Goldberg's writing them. -- Lee Child

Product Description

Some people think Hawaii is paradise, but Monk knows that danger, like dirt, lurks everywhere. Look at Helen Gruber, the rich tourist who took a fatal blow from a coconut. The police say it fell from a tree, but Monk suspects otherwise. His assistant Natalie isn't exactly thrilled about Monk's latest investigation. It was bad enough Monk followed her on vacation, and now it looks like the vacation is over. Smooth-talking TV psychic Dylan Swift is on the island and claims to have a message from beyond-from Helen Gruber. Monk has his doubts about Swift's credibility. But finding the killer and proving Swift a fraud-all while coping with geckos and the horror of unsynchronized ceiling fans-may prove a tough coconut to crack.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Signet; Reissue edition (July 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451219007
• ISBN-13: 978-0451219008
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,634 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Monk captured true to form, July 14, 2006

By	Cynthia L. Clark "Dr. Cynthia Lea Clark" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun book! Almost like watching Monk on TV, October 7, 2007

By	S. Haslett "toytrain" (Sacramento County, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hawaiian Vacation?, May 24, 2008

By	So B It. - See all my reviews

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.