Richard M. (algernon99) -
Helpful Score: 11
I am a devoted fan of the Monk TV series; I've bought the whole-season DVDs and the family watches them frequently. The character and show are great fun.
So how good is a book going to be? I was skeptical at first. There are a couple of questions you might have in your mind. One would be: Is this a novelization of one of the TV episodes? Answer: No. It's an independent story that has not been on TV. Hmmm. Next question: How good can a novel about a TV character be? Answer: Quite good. Monk is a unique character and his foibles and brilliance come across in print nearly as well as they do on screen. I suppose you would have needed to see the show on TV before the books make a lot of sense to you, but if you like the TV show, you'll like the books.
One reason is that the author, Lee Goldberg, is an accomplished TV scriptwriter as well as a novelist. Lee has written a number of the TV scripts that have been produced. He knows the characters, and he knows how the stories are supposed to flow.
So this is book comes highly recommended by me and by my wife, who also read it right after I did. (It also reads very quickly.) It really helps to get a fresh dose of Mr. Monk in long dry spell between new episodes on TV.
So how good is a book going to be? I was skeptical at first. There are a couple of questions you might have in your mind. One would be: Is this a novelization of one of the TV episodes? Answer: No. It's an independent story that has not been on TV. Hmmm. Next question: How good can a novel about a TV character be? Answer: Quite good. Monk is a unique character and his foibles and brilliance come across in print nearly as well as they do on screen. I suppose you would have needed to see the show on TV before the books make a lot of sense to you, but if you like the TV show, you'll like the books.
One reason is that the author, Lee Goldberg, is an accomplished TV scriptwriter as well as a novelist. Lee has written a number of the TV scripts that have been produced. He knows the characters, and he knows how the stories are supposed to flow.
So this is book comes highly recommended by me and by my wife, who also read it right after I did. (It also reads very quickly.) It really helps to get a fresh dose of Mr. Monk in long dry spell between new episodes on TV.
Helpful Score: 6
The second novel based on the tv series. I thought the first attempt was rather depressing, but this one captures the sadness of Monk's issues in a much more amusing way, allowing you to laugh with Natalie while feeling his pain. Also, the story is a bit more complex than the first book, and in that way, this is a much better read.
Helpful Score: 3
Enjoyable read. Not as good as the TV show, but fun, none-the-less. Pretty easy reading, too.
Helpful Score: 3
great book better than the series so funny i laughed out loud. dont leave monk with a file of crimes he will solve them all. laughing all the way to hawaii and back
Helpful Score: 2
This was an enjoyable, quick read. Monk is one of my favorite shows and I was pleased that the book follows the television character very closely. If you like the show, you'll like the book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A fan of the series, I could easily imagine his expressions and fell right into the story.
From the back cover:
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 that 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........
From the back cover:
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 that 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........
Helpful Score: 2
If you love Monk, you will love this book. The characters are true to form.
If you like the show, you'll love the book. I loved it and my mother-in-law loved it -- big enough print for someone who needs Large Print books to read easily, too.
Only Adrian Monk could find Hawaii repulsive. While I still prefer the show, if you're a Monk fan, it's definitely worth your while to check out the books.
First monk book I read.It is charming and a clever story.
Fantastic! Just like the series on TV.
Even though I figured it out by page 100, it was still a very enjoyable read. You can't go wrong with Monk!
I just love this series!
Entertaining read. The author does a pretty good job making the t.v. character into a book mystery.
Wow! Talk about red herrings. There are plenty here.
Reading the Monk story by Goldberg is just like watching the series on TV. The way he writes puts you back to the times when you couldn't wait for the show. All of Monk's nuances are brought to light and the humor is dispersed in just the right places. Great reading.....
great book for monk lovers....
Book based on the television series: Monk.
Joanne K. (Jerseygirl-exit30) reviewed Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii (Monk, Bk 2) on + 79 more book reviews
I loved it!
