Mr. Monk Goes to Germany-Lee Goldberg

Mr. Monk Goes to Germany
Lee Goldberg
Obsidian, Jul 2008, $21.95
ISBN: 9780451220998

He suffers from an extreme case of obsessive compulsive disorder so severe that the SFPD let him go in spite of his extraordinary case resolution success rate as no one could work with him. His disorder combined with his brilliance enables him to solve homicide mysteries so his former peers use him as a consultant when they are stymied. He goes to a psychiatrist three times a week hoping he can be helped enough so that he can return to the force full time. After solving the missing sock caper, however, when his shrink informs him he is going to Germany for a week, an unglued Monk has a compulsive reaction.

He and his assistant Natalie agree they should go to Germany so Monk can keep his appointments. While in Lour, Germany Monk notices n eleven fingered man who he follows only to lose him. The only case he never solved is the death of his wife who was murdered by an eleven-fingered man. He goes to the police who explain they are investigating a homicide. He promises to solve it if they will find the elevened fingered man for him. Later Monk sees him with his psychiatrist. Whereas everyone else believes it is a coincidence, neither Monk nor Natalie accept that theory. Monk thinks this man has committed other crimes too and sets out to find the hard core evidence.

Lee Goldberg is the best author at adapting TV shows into a series of novels as in the case of Mr. Monk he captures the essences of the key continual characters especially the eccentric lead protagonist. Told in the first person through the eyes of Natalie, readers get a glimpse into how she sees a person suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder. Yet like her the audience does not pity Mr. Monk but admires his genius as he solves mysteries rather quickly just ask the Justice Department or SFPD for a reference.

Harriet Klausner