Terrific! Sorry to see Hy Conrad is moving on from this series, though. A nice collection of mysteries and Monk and Natalie action. ( )

Mr. Monk And The New Lieutenant is the fourth book Monk series by HyConrad.

This series' books are quick reads.

The book consisted, of what seemed to me, short stories of three or 4 quick cases for Monk and Natalie to resolve and one major case. That case centers around the recent death of Judge Oberlin and the attempts on the life of Captain Stottlemeyer. As the title suggests, Lt. Amy Devlin is on a leave of absence and she has been replaced by Lt. A. J. Thurman. Thurman is the most competent policeman on the force and certainly lack the social skills that Monk would expect. Monk and Natalie are paying their respect at funeral of Oberlin, when Monk states that the Oberlin was poisoned and not by a disease he picked up on a visit to Thailand. Soon Capt. Stottlemeyer begins to have similar symptoms that Oberlin had. Since the doctors knew what to look for, they were able to treat him get him on the road to recovery. But then there are a couple more attempts on the Captain's life. A note is soon found that alleges that the death and death threats are the tied to case that was tried before Olerlin and was investigated by Stottlemeyer. Monk and Natalie need to find the murderer before another murder if committed.

Conrad states in the authors notes at the beginning of the book that he will no longer be writing any more books in this series, but stopped short of saying that the series is over. ( )

Although I have watched the television show, this was my first Monk book. It was really quite good. That has everything to do with the fact that the author, Hy Conrad, was also a writer on the show for it entire eight season run.

I have to say, I loved that each chapter has a title. So few books do that these days. I’ve always enjoyed it. The story is told from the point of view of Natalie Teeger, Adrian Monk’s former assistant, now his partner in Monk & Teeger, Consulting Detectives.

Reading MR. MONK AND THE NEW LIEUTENTANT was just like watching an episode of the show. All the same fun, drama, and intrigue, but with no commercials!

For those who have followed this book series, if the other books were have as good as this on, you’re going to love it! If you’re like me, familiar with the show but you haven’t read the books, give this one a try. I think you’ll be pleased. ( )

The last "Monk" novel by Hy Conrad, who has done an able job of continuing and expanding upon the OCD detective's life, but has taken on other commitments. Monk and Natalie have opened their detective agency in a local mall, but their livelihood becomes problematical when Lieutenant Amy Devlin, Captain Stottlemeyer's assistant, quits the force (why?, I liked her tough style) and the obnoxious and Monk-hating A.J. Thurman takes her place and makes working with the police a living hell for them. Things are complicated when an unknown villain from Stottlemeyer's past makes repeated attempts on his life after killing one of his oldest friends. Another good "Monk" story, with the added bonus of the return, possibly for good, of Randy Disher. That is, if anybody steps up to continue the print adventures of my favorite OCD detective (if you don't count the BBC's Sherlock Holmes). ( )