Reviewed By Liz

ISBN 978-0-451-22013-4

I really enjoyed the Monk television show and was a little leery when I saw a book based on it. Mr. Monk and the Blue Flue captures the essence of Monk perfectly, though. For those of you who missed the television show, Adrian Monk is a former police detective who lost control of his obsessive compulsive tendencies after the murder of his wife – the only murder he hasn’t been able to solve. He is now used as a consultant by the San Francisco Police only on their most difficult homicides. His deductive powers are amazing, but his work and personal habits are so fastidious and time consuming that only his old friend Captain Stottlemeyer can stand to work with him.

Sharona has been replaced by a different sidekick/caretaker (a similar character) and Stottlemeyer has a smallish part in this book because the police detectives a having a blue flu to protest contract negotiations failures. Monk is asked by a desperate mayor to return to work temporarily, with the possibility that he will be able to return permanently the unspoken lure. Monk jumps at the chance, as do a motley crew of three other detectives who have been removed from active duty. These characters bring their own baggage and add a tremendous amount of humor to this book – sometimes the laugh-out-loud variety.

But this strange little band is back on the job to solve a perplexing series of murders. Monk is true to form as he reads and deciphers complicated crime scenes and learns a few things about the responsibilities of leading a team. The mystery is good, the characters and humor are excellent, and I found this to be a very enjoyable and uplifting book.

Favorite character? Tough one! The team of detectives are all amazing. Did I guess it? Yes. Will I read another? Absolutely.

Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at http://reviewedbyliz.com ©2007

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