Mr. Monk and the Two Assistants

by: Lee Goldberg

Published by: NAL

Reviewed by Sharon Broom

Author Lee Goldberg is bringing to the fans of the USA Network television program Monk, an original novel series.

For those fans who mourned Sharona leaving the show (I actually stopped watching Monk when this happened), they will be happy to see her appearance in Mr. Monk and the Two Assistants.

Sharona’s husband (with whom she reunited when she left the television show) has been arrested for murder. And Monk is in on the case. Natalie, his current assistant is not happy with Sharona’s arrival as she believes her job is in jeopardy. Perhaps Monk will rehire Sharona and she will be out of a job.

As the brilliant but compulsive Monk wades through the clues in his attempt to bring the real murderer to justice, he finds himself knee deep in other cases while facing a murderer who might be as good as he is.

Will Monk solve the murder? What’s with the novelist who is nosing around? Will Natalie lose her job to Sharona? Will Sharon’s husband finally change his dreary ne’er-do-well ways?

If you like Monk, you’ll have a bit of fun with the book. If you don’t like that Sharona left the series, you may be disappointed with the book also. I don’t usually enjoy television series to book attempts, but Goldberg has done a good job and should have a following.

Armchair Interviews says: Worth the read.