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Review - Mr. Monk and the Dirty Cop

I finished this book, Mr. Monk and the Dirty Cop by Lee Goldberg, Saturday. It was a good book. The premise of the book was that Monk's contract with the San Francisco Police Department is terminated amid budget cuts. But when it looks like Monk's former partner and current Captain of Detectives is the number one suspect in a murder of cop, Monk is asked to help him out, even though it was Sotttlemeyer that made it look like the only detective that could solve the case, Monk, was already cut from the case.

The book moved along nicely with a new surprise in the plot around every corner. Monk's obsessiveness is still there and can be a little annoying at times, but he's still a lovable character, warts and all.

SPOILER ALERT--The part enjoyed the most is that one of the characters, Nick Slade, ends up being a very bad man.

Now it's on to read Fire and Ice by J.A. Jance.

Review - Overlord Protocol

I finished The Overlord Protocol this morning. this is the 2nd in the H.I.V.E. (Higher institute of Villainous Education) series and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

The premise of the books is that Otto, Wing, Laura, Shelby, and company have to overthrow a super villain. it starts off by Wing selecting Otto to attend his father's funeral with him. I can't say too much without ruining the story, but it was a great nail-biter. My only complaint was the title was a little misleading. Sure there is a brief reference to it but every page you winder when the overlord protocol makes it debut. The book sets up the third volume well with some great villains in the wings just waiting and other good villains (if there is such a thing) ready to take them on. So its a story of good evil versus bad evil.

Now I'm working on Mr. Monk and the Dirty Cop by Lee Goldberg.

Our Viennese Evening

Last night we enjoyed visiting the Vienna Bistro (132 South Main, Salt Lake). The Salt Lake Dine-a-round was going on so we thought we might like to try something new. Austrian food is very similar to German food so DeeAnn enjoyed one of the evenings specials. They brought her out a salad of combined dishes: coleslaw, seasoned carrots, and beets. I don't remember what the entree was called but it was potato cakes and steak. I had Käsespäzle, caramelized onions, Gruyere, Appenzeller and Raclette cheeses baked with spätzle (small potato dumpling). For dessert we shared a plum dumpling baked in a cinnamon coating. Needless to say the meal was delicious and we look forward to going back.

Dinner was followed by a very enjoyable evening at the Utah Symphony. The night's performance, the season opening, featured 3 pieces from Beethoven: Overture to the Creatures of Prometheus, Concerto for Violin in D Major, and Symphony No. 5 in C Minor. The violin soloist for the second piece was Jennifer Frautschi, who was outstanding! I particularly enjoyed hearing the complete piece of Beethoven's 5th. I didn't realize there were three additional movements to the famous piece.

It was a very nice themed evening of Viennese food and music.

Review - Mr. Monk Goes to Germany

This weekend was a relaxing camping weekend and gave me the chance to finish Mr. Monk Goes to Germany by Lee Goldberg. I enjoyed it.

The premise of the book was that Mr. Monk has to follow his therapist to Germany so he won't miss any of his appointments. Dr. Kroger is attending a convention and Monk comes across a man with six fingers, just like the man who killed his wife, his only unsolved case. So Monk investigates.

The book was enjoyable though somewhat predictable. But there were enough twists and turns in the plot to keep things interesting.

So now I'm reading The Overlord Protocol by Mark Walden, book #2 of the H.I.V.E. series.

Labor Day Weekend

This weekend we enjoyed a nice camping trip in the mountains north of Vernal, in the northeast corner of the state. We started out with a trip to the new Museum of Natural History that highlights a variety of dinosaurs, most native to the area.

The old museum had a very nice outdoor park and exhibit of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. the new museum also has a park and continues the great tradition of exhibinting these impressive creatures.

One of the interesting features of Vernal is the beautiful flowers that line Main Street. We don't have a picture of the street, but imagine this lining the mile or so street. It's beautiful.
I don't remember being on this road before (a rarity). But the views on the road north of Vernal going to Flaming George and Ashley National Forest has some very impressive and breathtaking views. The road literally goes up the mountain with some 10 switchbacks.


Our campground, Lodgepole, was in the Ashley National Forest, about 27 1/2 miles north of Vernal. It's a beautiful area with aspens and pines. It's also bear country (though we didn't see any). We did see a few deer though.


We camped in site 12, but site 21 was probably our favorites being away from the road, a little more isolated from other campers, and a beautiful view from the site.


Traveling north from the campground we approach Flaming George National Recreation Area. It's been years since I was there and I don't remember any of it at all.


Lastly, one of the highlights of the trip came very unexpectedly. As we rounded a corner of the road we noticed a small animal crossing the road. Maybe a baby deer? Nope, too small. A fox? Nope, too big. As we approached, we discovered it was a coyote. It stopped by the roadside but was a little camera shy.

You can see it's head in the center of the picture, just above the weeds.