When Manny Feikema, a retired SFPD cop is murdered, Captain Stottlemeyer personally asks Monk to look into the case. Manny had moved to the small town of Trouble. While it had boomed during the gold rush, it was now mainly a tourist stop. Manny was working as a night guard for the Gold Rush Museum, and that's where he was killed.

Monk has hardly arrived before he learns of an unsolved gold robbery from 50 years ago. He's distracted by his case. Natalie has her own distraction. She's found the journal of Abigail Guthrie, assistant to a Mr. Artemis Monk. This Mr. Monk was the town assessor and detective during the height of the gold rush. And he behaves just like the modern Mr. Monk. Could he be an ancestor? And will the current Mr. Monk find the killer? Or will he be too distracted by looking for the gold?

When I heard how this book was going to flash back to the 1850's, I was a little worried about how it would work. I shouldn't have been. Those flashbacks fit into the story seamlessly and added a whole new level of humor to the events. As always, the characters are sharp and the humor wonderful. I laughed out loud several times and chuckles many others. Yet there were some more tender character moments that really made me look at them in a new light.

About the only draw back is the plot. I figured the big picture out a while before Monk did (or at least I think it was before Monk did.) Of course, that's a failing with the TV series as well. But the book still kept me entertained as I waited to see if I was right or not. And I did need Monk to fill in many of the details for me.

Continuity wise, this book is set before the start of season eight. There are a couple references that are outdated as a result, but that is only worth noting in passing.

Those like me mourning the loss of this great series can rejoice. These books are just as wonderful as the show and will keep the characters alive for some time to come.

Find out more about Monk and the Monk books at http://www.monktv.net