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jamiehandy's review against another edition
4.0
I just needed a break from the "bigger" books on my to be read stack and I can always count on a fun mystery in these Monk books. Very enjoyable, easy reading, fun murder mystery.
holly_keimig's review against another edition
4.0
For some reason, these books make me want to clean! :) Another good Monk adventure. It also made me want to go to Hawaii..
iamdwg's review against another edition
2.0
I think I can say with certainty that this book wasn't as good as the first...but that's not saying much. The first book wasn't exactly a masterpiece, but it was written fluently enough to make sense...much like an actual episode of the TV show. This book went the opposite direction. It didn't introduce a crime until a quarter through, was filled with Hawaiian dialects that were an annoyance, and they first solved the crime at 75% After that, they danced around and created a lot of filler before Monk "really" solved the crime on the last page.
I'd say a good half of this book was filler material, which is sad. It's short book, you don't need filler material for a short book. That said, I don't think the author really cared all that much for the story. He clearly loved the characters and that is still it's strongest attribute. The book isn't as good as the first, which was simply just okay. In a word, I'd say boring.
I'd say a good half of this book was filler material, which is sad. It's short book, you don't need filler material for a short book. That said, I don't think the author really cared all that much for the story. He clearly loved the characters and that is still it's strongest attribute. The book isn't as good as the first, which was simply just okay. In a word, I'd say boring.
karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
Lee Goldberg is so funny. I love the character of Mr. Monk, and I this second book in the series is just as good as the first one.
booking_along's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
if you enjoy Monk then this book is a great addition to the series.
the characters are mostly well done -i did find monk a little out of character (not because of the drugs funnily enough but just how he talked and behaved through parts of the book where he wasn’t) but natalie and other characters were well done.
it also was a good length -it felt similar to an episode in the ways that it told its plot points basically one after another but still build up to the big mystery solved at the end.
there was sections of the book that could have been done better and less hurtful to culture or people of different sizes - there is a good amount of mentioned of “fat” “big bier gut” and similar things that could have been phrased less aggressively as there where in the context of how they where used (being bigger isn’t something that needs to be noted as if it’s a characteristic! if you describe someone you don’t know anything about and giving a person description go for it but basically using it as a personal trait goes a little too far.
also some of monks comments where rather down grading towards the Hawaiian culture and historical way of things.
and i get it because it’s monk and of course he wouldn’t enjoy for example eating on the ground without proper plates and utensils BUT someone (for example natalie) could have just said: you don’t have to do it but let’s not be disrespectful for those that enjoy being part of this tradition?
it wasn’t a huge deal and i guess a good amount of readers might not even notice it but for a character obsessive about details: some of those details in this book felt a bit lacking.
but overall this was fun and easy and a nice read for a quick more or less entertaining and fun time but nothing overly special.
still a good cozy mystery and a nice one for fans of the show!
the characters are mostly well done -i did find monk a little out of character (not because of the drugs funnily enough but just how he talked and behaved through parts of the book where he wasn’t) but natalie and other characters were well done.
it also was a good length -it felt similar to an episode in the ways that it told its plot points basically one after another but still build up to the big mystery solved at the end.
there was sections of the book that could have been done better and less hurtful to culture or people of different sizes - there is a good amount of mentioned of “fat” “big bier gut” and similar things that could have been phrased less aggressively as there where in the context of how they where used (being bigger isn’t something that needs to be noted as if it’s a characteristic! if you describe someone you don’t know anything about and giving a person description go for it but basically using it as a personal trait goes a little too far.
also some of monks comments where rather down grading towards the Hawaiian culture and historical way of things.
and i get it because it’s monk and of course he wouldn’t enjoy for example eating on the ground without proper plates and utensils BUT someone (for example natalie) could have just said: you don’t have to do it but let’s not be disrespectful for those that enjoy being part of this tradition?
it wasn’t a huge deal and i guess a good amount of readers might not even notice it but for a character obsessive about details: some of those details in this book felt a bit lacking.
but overall this was fun and easy and a nice read for a quick more or less entertaining and fun time but nothing overly special.
still a good cozy mystery and a nice one for fans of the show!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Stalking, Gaslighting, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Drug use
ixmcmxcii's review against another edition
4.0
Even though the books were written after the airing if the TV show, the books are a whole lot better. And also funnier. If you've not seen the show I suggest you watch it first and then read the books. This is #2 out of 19 (allegedly there ring no more )
ogreart's review
3.0
Cute. I liked how there were so many mysteries that no one even knew needed solving.
iton's review against another edition
1.0
Adrian Monk is so uncharacteristically Adrian Monk in this.
- He somehow forgets Hawaii is part of the US, multiple times
- His backwards attitude towards Hawaiians and their culture
Kind of a slog to get through and I didn’t like his characterization.
- He somehow forgets Hawaii is part of the US, multiple times
- His backwards attitude towards Hawaiians and their culture
Kind of a slog to get through and I didn’t like his characterization.
stephaniereneesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Another great book by Lee Goldberg. I love the Mr. Monk series. His struggle with losing his wife, OCD, and many other phobias that make being a detective hard. The characters are engaging and witty.