Sunday, April 18, 2010

Finished: "Mr. Monk is Miserable" by Lee Goldberg

Finished: Mr. Monk is Miserable by Lee Goldberg, 2008, 9780451225153.

Aah, much better than the audio version. But, I liked the previous title in the series better because I liked the Germany setting better.

Anyway. Natalie and Monk travel to Paris after Natalie blackmails Monk with a couple photos of Monk being filthy. A murder occurs on the flight from Paris. Monk solves it and they meet a couple Paris cops. Monk and Natalie tour the catacombs and Monk is upset due to all the unorganized bones and how the skeleton bones should be put back together. Monk then finds the skull of a recently murdered person.

Monk and Natalie call the cops. Monk ends up helping the police. Goldberg contrives a reason for Stottlemeyer and his lapdog, Disher, to fly over. Natalie pines for her dead husband - they honeymooned in Paris. Monk obsesses. Natalie tries to enjoy her vacation. Monk has a glorious time riding a motocrotte in Paris. Monk solves the murder. Natalie gets the hots for a guy who lives in the underground caverns and sewers of Paris. Monk is disgusted by the sewer people. Disher has French groupies.

Other things:
1. Monk washes his doorknobs in the dishwasher once a month.
2. Goldberg's Author's Note mentions how the book was written while traveling in Germany and France. Lucky bastard.
3. Monk is fascinated by the sewer system as a major step in civilization. Monk is correct but he is also crazy.
4. Monk's craziness came through to me in the Germany novel more than in this one.
5. Monk is only relaxed when solving murders. I relaxed greatly while reading this because I liked it.
6. A fun quote when Monk and others visit a squatters building:

Monk held out his hand and motioned to me urgently. "Wipes, wipes,"
What did you touch?" I asked, reaching into my purse and handing him a package of disinfectant tissues.
"Nothing if I can help it," he said. "I need to be prepared for the worst. Hippies live here."

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