Lee Goldberg. Mr. Monk Goes to the Firehouse (2006) 292 pp. [pbo]
Adrian Monk, San Francisco’s favorite obsessive-compulsive detective, is “hired” by the 12-year old daughter of his assistant, Natalie Teeger, to investigate the murder of Sparky, a firehouse dalmatian. The dog had been killed while the firefighters were responding to a fatal house fire. Monk soon discovers that the fire is arson and had been set to cover up a murder. Using his surreal powers of observation and deduction, Monk uncovers the murderer and brings him to justice with the help of a couple of uniquely San Francisco weapons—Boudin Bakery clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls. Based on the USA Network television show, Monk, written by one of the screenwriters.