by Lorie Lewis Ham

Details on how to win a copy of Mr. Monk Is A Mess at the end of this post.

Mr. Monk Is A Mess picks up where Mr. Monk On Patrol left off, with Natalie and Monk working as cops in Summit, New Jersey for Randy Disher who is Sheriff there and acting Mayor. They have both decided to take the jobs permanently and have only to return to San Francisco to pack up their things and move. And of course break the news to Natalie’s daughter Julie and their friends.

However, when they get home Natalie finds things moved around in her house and a dead body in her bathtub and Monk begins to doubt his decision. Though it appears the dead woman in Natalie’s house killed herself, Natalie is determined to find out exactly what happened. Things get even worse when investigators find marked money from a Federal sting operation stuffed under Natalie’s mattress. While she and Monk begin to investigate, she gets a frantic call from Monk’s brother Ambrose–his live in assistant and girlfriend Yuki has gone missing. Monk doesn’t want to help Ambrose because he thinks he’s better off, but Natalie promises that she will find her.

Soon they begin to notice that Natalie’s neighborhood has been plagued recently by an unusual amount of crime and begin to wonder if it’s all connected. Natalie also uncovers some surprises in Yuki’s past. This plot has a little bit of everything including mobsters, the FBI, love, marriage and changing friendships. It’s been fun to see how Natalie and Monk have both grown and changed throughout this series on TV and the books. In this one not only do we have Monk’s quirky brilliance, but Natalie continues to grow as a detective. Is it possible Monk could now survive without Natalie? Or maybe more important, can Natalie survive without Monk?

As always Lee does a great job of bringing these familiar characters to life and providing the reader with a fun mystery filled with twists and turns. I have to admit I didn’t see the ending coming and I can’t wait for the next and final Monk book coming in January.

KRL is again thrilled to have a quote from one of our reviews on the back cover!

Behind The Book Interview With Lee Goldberg:

Lorie: Did you have to do any special research for this book?

Lee: Nope.

Lorie: How did you come up with the plot for this book?

Lee: It grew organically from the previous book, Mr. Monk On Patrol. It picks up right where the other one left off. I always come up with the conflicts for Monk and Natalie… the theme of the book… first and then the murder mystery grows out of that. I look for a mystery that will bring out the character conflicts that I want to explore.

Lorie: How do you feel about the way that the characters have all developed and grown throughout the TV and book series?

Lee: I didn’t have any control over how the characters developed in the TV series…but I certainly did with the 14 books to date. I had an arc for Natalie and Monk in mind from Book #1 and I think it has evolved nicely…and sort of came to a head in this book.

Lorie: How do you feel about the fact that there is only one more Monk book left?

Lee: I’ve already written it and turned it in…so I feel real good about it. I will miss Natalie and Monk…but I think I have explored just about every aspect of their relationship that I can and I didn’t want to start repeating myself. Besides, I figured 15 books was more than enough for me.

Lorie: What will life be for you without Monk?

Lee: Lots more time to write other things!

Lorie: I’ve heard rumors of a Monk TV movie–if there was one do you know if you would be involved?

Lee: Andy Breckman wrote one for USA Network…but I don’t think there are any plans to make it in the immediate future.

Lorie: Are you currently involved in any other TV shows?

Lee: I am involved in some in development…but it is too soon to talk about them.

Lorie: What books are you working on now?

Lee: I am working on the first of four books that I am writing with Janet Evanovich…and a sequel to King City.

To enter to win a copy of Mr. Monk Is A Mess, simply email KRL at life@kingsriverlife[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Mess”, or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen August 11, 2012. U.S. residents only.

You can learn more about Lee and his writing by checking out an earlier interview with him here at KRL and a video interview on our YouTube channel.

Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and an enthusiastic contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie’s mystery writing at Mysteryrat’s Closet.