USA Network Forums > Mr. Monk and the Two Assistants

LeeGoldberg

Nov 19 2006, 07:55 PM

I've just emailed the finished manuscript for the fourth Monk novel, MR. MONK AND THE TWO ASSISTANTS, to my editor in New York. The book will be published in hardcover in July 2007 (yep, you read right, we're moving to hardcovers). Here's the book jacket summary:

"Only a special kind of person can keep up with Monk’s brilliant, if idiosyncratic, methods. One such person is his former assistant, Sharona. And now that her ne’er-do-well husband has been arrested for murder, she’s back in San Francisco, ready to reclaim her place in Monk’s extremely well-ordered life.

His current assistant, Natalie, is not at all pleased with this turn of events. As little as her job pays, she’s grown fond of Monk and would rather not get fired.

While Monk tries to maintain a delicate balance between the two women, he discovers a few unsettling snags in the case against Sharona’s husband. With bestselling crime novelist Ian Ludlow nosing around, and other cases taking his attention, Monk may be up against a killer who not only understands him, but is one step ahead…"

The third Monk novel, MR. MONK AND THE BLUE FLU, will be out in paperback in January.

I hope you continue to enjoy the books. I'm certainly having a great time writing them!

Lee

Teresa1643

Nov 19 2006, 08:02 PM

In hardcover, that's terrific. It means they've been selling very well, doesn't it? Two Assistants will be available in paperback as well, right?

stotfan

Nov 19 2006, 08:02 PM

Thank you, Mr. Goldberg! I am reading "Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii" right now, and I think it is a very good book. It describes Adrian very well!

spinner

Nov 19 2006, 08:10 PM

Thank you for telling us about your new book. In hardcover...I like that. This one I'm especially looking forward too as I can't wait to see what happens between the two assistants in July 2007! January is mostly a dreary month but with your new Monk book coming out and the new Monk episodes that month then January I am ready for you!

elfa1

Nov 19 2006, 08:46 PM

This sounds interesting. I will give it a try, certainly.

Beholder

Nov 20 2006, 12:02 AM

Wow, hardcover....bigger type. My slightly (ever so slightly ) aging eyes will like that.

I don't want Natalie to get fired either. I like Natalie. She's great w/ Monk.

It's killing me to wait until Jan. to read "Blue Flu" I want to read it now!!!! LOL

B.
As I said before....I'm not very good at waiting.
Hhhhoooowwww many day's left?

Raven

Nov 20 2006, 09:00 AM

Two Assistants sounds really good! I can hardly wait to see who triumphs in the age-old battle of Natalie versus Sharona.
I feel sorry for Adrian!
I love the books Lee!

Bubba_Bridges

Nov 20 2006, 10:56 AM

Hi Bubba here, can't wait Lee.

fan4sure

Nov 20 2006, 12:34 PM

Thanks for the sneak peek at the story, Lee! I am looking forward to reading it . . . going to go make room on my bookshelf right now.

241178

Nov 20 2006, 03:21 PM

What great news!!! I am very pleased to know that two more exciting novels written by you are out next year!!! I can't wait to read the novel out in January, i know that each novel i read will be just as good as the one before.....keep up the good work . "monkette"

MonkMeister

Nov 20 2006, 08:13 PM

I always thought this would be interesting - to see Sharona and Natalie together. I hope this is made into an episode as well.

LeeGoldberg

Nov 20 2006, 08:57 PM

TWO ASSISTANTS will come out in hardcover in July 2007 and in paperback in January 2008...when a new MONK novel will come out in hardcover...the one I haven't written yet... the one I haven't even THOUGHT of yet..

Lee

Jungle_Chad

Nov 20 2006, 11:09 PM

Lee,
The first two books were outstanding! I'm ready for, and really looking forward to, the next one. And now, I'm even more anxious to see the one that's coming after that!

"Monk" is only a part of what you've done in your career. You're amazing! I don't know how you and the boys in Summit do it. I hope you never run out of ideas while I'm alive.

Chad

crazychrismonker

Nov 22 2006, 01:49 PM

I'm curious, Mr. Goldberg; did Andy Breckman give any advice on possible directions with this one, or does he give you complete autonomy with all of them? Not that it really matters; you do do fabulous jobs with them regardless (if you could get Ambrose into one of them, I think a lot of us would like it).

Additionally, roughly when can we expect the cover art for this one to be released?

LeeGoldberg

Nov 23 2006, 02:13 AM

The cover art will probably be ready around January. I had the idea for THE TWO ASSISTANTS, called Andy up, and ran it past him. He liked it. With his blessing, I went ahead and fleshed out the story into an outline and sent it to him. He read the outline, gave me a few notes and some advice, and off I went. I'm very lucky that Andy gives me so much creative freedom with the books and with the characters he created. I try very hard to stay true to his vision, his voice, and his style of storytelling as best I can.

kees_lady

Nov 26 2006, 02:04 AM

We MONK fans are the lucky ones...we get to read what your creative mind writes...and still yearn for more.

randys1girl

Nov 26 2006, 03:20 AM

Wow, thanks Mr. Goldberg! What a nice suprise to see that you had posted on the board! I just finished "Mr. Monk Goes to the Firehouse"a couple of days ago and it was one of the best books I had ever read. But I wasn't surprised, since it's based on one of the best shows EVER! I am really looking foreword to reading your other books! I know they will be as good if not better than the first!

Andrea

LeeGoldberg

Dec 1 2006, 02:10 AM

Thank you so much. The biggest challenge I have with these books is doing something that hasn't been done on the show and not repeating what I've done in previous books (including the errors!).

wells23

Dec 1 2006, 10:32 PM

your doing a great job lee. i have already read the two books that are already out, and i have enjoyed them very much. i am looking forward to january and july.

rachelrocks187

Dec 2 2006, 01:47 AM

in mr monk goes to the fire station you say that he comes into the room holding a glass of milk... well monk is afraid of milk!!!

CrystalSmith

Dec 2 2006, 01:10 PM

I hope Randy gets some "Sharona Time" in two assistants. I hated that she left him w/out anything happening between them./

monkfan3

Dec 2 2006, 03:19 PM

I had thoughts that something like this would happen in an eppy, but you beat the writers to it. It's sounds like it will be good. But Sharona's hubby committing murder? Hmmm...

alex455

Dec 2 2006, 03:26 PM

Quote:

I hope Randy gets some "Sharona Time" in two assistants. I hated that she left him w/out anything happening between them./

If U want Sharona and Randy together it sounds for me like get Natalie and Monk together which is very possible... So yes I agree with U there should be 'little' Sharona time

alex455

Dec 2 2006, 03:31 PM

Quote:

I had thoughts that something like this would happen in an eppy, but you beat the writers to it. It's sounds like it will be good. But Sharona's hubby committing murder? Hmmm...

May be producers do an eppy where were Sharona asks Monk for help 'cause (not her husband who was her ex-husband Trevor is a murderer) but she's a murderer and she asks Monk to come to New Jersey and helped her. Monk and Natalie with Stottlemeyer go there...and...of course... figured out who killed and why...that could be very interesting episode. But everything is able of Mrs. Schram and producers...

elfa1

Dec 2 2006, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I hope Randy gets some "Sharona Time" in two assistants. I hated that she left him w/out anything happening between them./

If U want Sharona and Randy together it sounds for me like get Natalie and Monk together which is very possible... So yes I agree with U there should be 'little' Sharona time

Natalie and Monk's romance is an excellent idea so viewers like me can finally wean themselves from Monk.

alex455

Dec 2 2006, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I hope Randy gets some "Sharona Time" in two assistants. I hated that she left him w/out anything happening between them./

If U want Sharona and Randy together it sounds for me like get Natalie and Monk together which is very possible... So yes I agree with U there should be 'little' Sharona time

Natalie and Monk's romance is an excellent idea so viewers like me can finally wean themselves from Monk.

Hey look I just have to write something for the proposition, and Monk with Natalie is the only one possibly idea in this show everything is possible. It's only proposition which don't have to get to living thing right? So...don't wean yourself and watch Monk, 'cause this things doesn't have to happen...Uff...what a write...ok I gotta go sleep I answer tommorow...if you answer me today

Raven

Dec 2 2006, 05:35 PM

Natalie and Monk's romance is an excellent idea so viewers like me can finally wean themselves from Monk.

An even better way to get yourself weaned off Monk is to go cold turkey. Just don't turn it on anymore. Soon, you will forget Monk exists, and you won't have to think about Natalie/Sharona again. Won't that be a relief?

elfa1

Dec 2 2006, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Natalie and Monk's romance is an excellent idea so viewers like me can finally wean themselves from Monk.

An even better way to get yourself weaned off Monk is to go cold turkey. Just don't turn it on anymore. Soon, you will forget Monk exists, and you won't have to think about Natalie/Sharona again. Won't that be a relief?

Did quit cold turkey before in season 4; it does not work. I don't see it as a problem anymore. The way things are going with Monk, I will finally be able to say goodbye to it. Now if TS quits, I would quit for sure! Damn, Tony!

Tami

Dec 2 2006, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Natalie and Monk's romance is an excellent idea so viewers like me can finally wean themselves from Monk.

An even better way to get yourself weaned off Monk is to go cold turkey. Just don't turn it on anymore. Soon, you will forget Monk exists, and you won't have to think about Natalie/Sharona again. Won't that be a relief?

Did quit cold turkey before in season 4; it does not work. I don't see it as a problem anymore. The way things are going with Monk, I will finally be able to say goodbye to it. Now if TS quits, I would quit for sure! Damn, Tony!

Don't try to wean yourself off! That trick never works! Spend every last penny you have on thousands of copies of Lee Goldberg's MONK novels and the MONK Seasons Three and Four DVD sets! Read the novels over and over while playing only NATALIE episodes and turn the volume up real LOUD so you'll be able to get the true tone of the novels in NATALIE'S VOICE!

Aversion therapy ... yeah: that's the ticket!

alex455

Dec 3 2006, 03:39 AM

Ok...now I know that I said something wrong, so...I cancel this that Natalie and Monk COULD get romance...I cancel this...ok..? If somebody fell hurts...I'm sorry and never write this thing here again...
I fell now stupidly...

extex2

Dec 3 2006, 07:14 AM

Don't worry Alex you didnt say anything wrong.
e

alex455

Dec 3 2006, 08:59 AM

Thank God, I just start worry...now I know that I don't have to

Liv

Dec 3 2006, 01:17 PM

No, Alex, don't worry. I'm not a fan of an Adrian/Natalie romance either, but I can appreciate and respect others who are, especially since they don't disparage everything about the show as if that is going to do anything to help their cause. And if a Natalie/Adrian romance would stop people from coming here to find a way to relate every single discussion thread to their pet peeve and then complain about it as if it will change anything, I'd almost say it would be worth it. But, since nothing I could say would stop those who want to belittle everything about the show (the same way nothing they say will change the way the show is now) this is the last I have to say about it. I wouldn't want to make an ass of myself by harping on about it forever and ever. And ever. Until I make people sick.

kees_lady

Dec 3 2006, 02:02 PM

Quote:

No, Alex, don't worry. I'm not a fan of an Adrian/Natalie romance either, but I can appreciate and respect others who are, especially since they don't disparage everything about the show as if that is going to do anything to help their cause. And if a Natalie/Adrian romance would stop people from coming here to find a way to relate every single discussion thread to their pet peeve and then complain about it as if it will change anything, I'd almost say it would be worth it. But, since nothing I could say would stop those who want to belittle everything about the show (the same way nothing they say will change the way the show is now) this is the last I have to say about it. I wouldn't want to make an ass of myself by harping on about it forever and ever. And ever. Until I make people sick.

Very well said, Liv. Your summation is 'noteworthy' and should be taken 'to heart' by every poster here.

elfa1

Dec 3 2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

No, Alex, don't worry. I'm not a fan of an Adrian/Natalie romance either, but I can appreciate and respect others who are, especially since they don't disparage everything about the show as if that is going to do anything to help their cause. And if a Natalie/Adrian romance would stop people from coming here to find a way to relate every single discussion thread to their pet peeve and then complain about it as if it will change anything, I'd almost say it would be worth it. But, since nothing I could say would stop those who want to belittle everything about the show (the same way nothing they say will change the way the show is now) this is the last I have to say about it. I wouldn't want to make an ass of myself by harping on about it forever and ever. And ever. Until I make people sick.

Being a fan of the show does not mean that everything about the show is great in the present state. Too bad that most people here do not want to hear anything negative which in a way is keeping the show from changing. Harping about Natalie how great she is, is fine but not the other way round?!! It is sickening to come across this idolism in almost every thread.

kees_lady

Dec 3 2006, 02:26 PM

Hit the wrong button, sorry, I am 'ignoring this user'.

alex455

Dec 3 2006, 02:50 PM

What do you mean "'ignoring this user"?? ...

Raven

Dec 3 2006, 02:58 PM

I said what I said about going cold turkey, elfa, because I got a bit fed up after reading various threads and usually finding a dig by you at the end of each one stating how you don't like the show, or Natalie, etc, etc.
It's like, ok, I get it already!

Liv

Dec 3 2006, 03:05 PM

Alex,

If you click on a user's name, at the bottom of the page you have a few options, one is 'Ignore This User'. If you use this option, that user's posts are not visible to you.

kees_lady

Dec 3 2006, 03:09 PM

Quote:

What do you mean "'ignoring this user"?? ...

I am using the "Ignore this User" feature so I cannot see their posts. If you click on the name of a poster, then click on their name again when their post shows up in the reply to this poster, who is making annoying posts you would rather not read, it brings up their 'page' and at the bottom you can click on the 'ignore this users posts'. It's a great way to stop reading annoying things posted by someone who is making posts that are annoying to you.

I wish I could explain it better.

extex2

Dec 3 2006, 06:19 PM

I am glad you are still watching the show
e

Tami

Dec 3 2006, 06:38 PM

Quote:

I said what I said about going cold turkey, elfa, because I got a bit fed up after reading various threads and usually finding a dig by you at the end of each one stating how you don't like the show, or Natalie, etc, etc.
It's like, ok, I get it already!

Raven, at least "Monk" is critically acclaimed and gets great ratings ~~ and most posters love the show as is! Try being a fan of a show that's doing "not-so-well" in the ratings and most of the posters at various message boards constantly post "this show's awful and this is why ..."!

Og_Of_The_Jungle

Dec 3 2006, 06:42 PM

Quote:

I am glad you are still watching the show
e

I'm glad that you're glad that she's still watching the show.

iguanamiaman

Dec 3 2006, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Hit the wrong button, sorry, I am 'ignoring this user'.

You've threatened that before but you seem to not be able to help yourself and do the exact same thing that you argue against. The irony is priceless.

kees_lady

Dec 3 2006, 07:10 PM

Whoops, It says, ***You are ignoring this user***

iguanamiaman

Dec 3 2006, 07:14 PM

And yet you've clearly demonstrated you aren't.

Og_Of_The_Jungle

Dec 3 2006, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Hit the wrong button, sorry, I am 'ignoring this user'.

You've threatened that before but you seem to not be able to help yourself and do the exact same thing that you argue against. The irony is priceless.

I'm glad that e is glad that you're still watching the show.

extex2

Dec 3 2006, 07:24 PM

I am glad that you are glad that I am glad they are still watching the show
e

Og_Of_The_Jungle

Dec 3 2006, 07:27 PM

Quote:

I am glad that you are glad that I am glad they are still watching the show
e

I am glad that you are glad that I am glad ... that if we keep this up, the argument will get lost.

iguanamiaman

Dec 3 2006, 07:39 PM

All debates are not arguments. And undoubtedly the next time Kees_lady responds to something she has sworn to ignore it will start up again. But, alas, since this logic is lost on certain people, I will concede to your gladness.