The fourth novel in the series about Adrian Monk, a brilliant detective who always knows when something is out of place. After her husband's arrest on murder charges, Monk's former assistant, Sharona, is ready to take back her place in his well-functioning life. But Natalie, the current assistant to the defective detective, is not happy with this turn of events. While Monk tries to maintain a fragile balance between the two women, he discovers several inconsistencies in the case against Sharona's husband. While investigating the murders, our hero realizes that this time he is confronted by a killer who not only understands him, but is several steps ahead of him.