Mr. Monk in Outer Space (Paperback)

~ (Author) "I almost killed someone the other day..." (more)
Key Phrases: coffee candy, Outer Space, Lee Goldberg, Conrad Stipe (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

First time in Paperback

Based on the hit USA Network series— from Edgar® Award-nominated Monk screenwriter Lee Goldberg

Monk journeys into the realm of the cult science fiction show Beyond Earth—where he meets fans just as obsessive-compulsive as he is. Though he’s not preoccupied with the program himself, Monk can understand where they’re coming from. But there may be a killer among them: someone in a starship uniform has gunned down the show’s creator

About the Author

Lee Goldberg is a two-time Edgar(r) nominee who has written episodes for numerous shows, including Monk. In addition to the original Monk novels, he also authors the Diagnosis Murder series based on the show for which he was a writer and executive producer. Author website: leegoldberg.com. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Signet (June 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451224353
• ISBN-13: 978-0451224354
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #31,157 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Monk Goes "Beyond Earth", November 19, 2007

By	Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Mr. Monk in Outer Space (Hardcover)

Everything about the case seems ordinary. The man was shot outside a hotel. In fact, the assassin was captured on four different security cameras. Yet Monk was still called in to help the San Francisco police department solve the case. Why? Because the victim was Conrad Stipe, creator of the cult 70's TV show Beyond Earth. And the assassin was dressed as one of the aliens from the show.

Because Stipe was shot right outside a fan convention for his show, Captain Stottlemeyer knows there are too many suspects. He's hoping Monk's attention to detail will help them find the one fan who did it.

However, Monk is unnerved by the costumes everyone is wearing. The alien costumes are elaborate and unnatural. Monk just can't see how anyone would willing become devoted to something so unnatural.

And then he finds out his brother Ambrose is a devoted fan of the series.

Who shot Conrad Stipe? What clues does the costume provide? And will Monk ever look at Ambrose the same way again?

The Monk novels have proved to be plenty of fun, and this is no exception. I must admit I had pieces of the plot figured out before Monk, but I think that is because I have gotten used to author Lee Goldberg's plotting. Still, I enjoyed finding out if I was right and how Monk would piece it all together. I felt at times Monk slipped into caricature in this book, a charge I've leveled at the TV show a time or two as well. Still, I laughed out loud plenty. Fans and TV executives get a gentle skewing over the course of the book. I especially enjoyed one producers proposal to change the Monk series.

This isn't the strongest entry in the Monk novel series, but it is still absolutely worth reading. Fans of the TV show are in for another treat.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Monk has new murders to solve, August 9, 2008

By	Jerry Saperstein (Evanston, IL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

Mr. Monk is an obsessive-compulsive - and also a great detective who consults for the San Francisco Police Department. They only call him in for the really tough cases, like the murder of Conrad Lorber, CEO of fast-food giant Burgerville. And then the murder of Conrad Stipe, creator of the cult television hit Beyond Earth. But the corpses don't stop piling up there. Mr. Monk's incredible skill is needed!

The story is told by Natalie, Adrian Monk's long suffering assistant. A single mother with a 12 year old daughter, Monk seems to be Natalie's second parental responsibility.

Monk has enough quirks, neuroses and phobias to get his own chapter, if not volume, in the DSM. But his unique skills are needed to solve all these murders which have an oddness of their own. Lorber, for example . . . well, I don't want spoil it for you. So I won't tell you much about Conrad Stipe's murderer except that he has an odd nose and ears.

Though Monk can't make it through a revolving door, won't go to odd-numbered floors, counts the parking meters on streets, is afraid of elevators and so much more, his powers of deduction are so great, that solving the most baffling of murders is child's play for him.

But this time, he needs not only Natalie's help, but that of his brother as well. Ambrose Monk is an agoraphobic (panic disorder in today's lexicon) who hasn't left his house in years. But Ambrose is a successful writer of all manner of things like installation manuals. He is also the author of the authoritative history of Beyond Earth and understands Drach, the entirely made up language of one of Beyond Earth's characters. (If you get the impression that Beyond Earth is a send up of Star Trek, you're absolutely right - and it is very funny.)

Adrian Monk, for once, has to acknowledge his brother's worth, which is mildly heartwarming.

All in all, Mr. Monk solves a bunch of murders in his inimitable way and everyone lives neurotically forever after.

Lee Goldberg has turned out another very humorous installment of the Mr. Monk saga.

Jerry

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh-out-loud funny!, July 6, 2008

By	Bookkeeper (USA) - See all my reviews

Just like the other Monk books, this one had me laughing out loud and making everyone around me jealous.