Welcome to the series of original mysteries starring Adrian Monk, the brilliant investigator who always knows when something's out of place....

Monk and Natalie have finally settled into a new office routine-but the detectives soon have another problem to deal with- Captain Stottlemeyer's new lieutenant, A. J. Thurman-a man of limited skills whom Monk finds insufferable.

Despite Thurman's presence, Monk and Natalie attend the funeral of Judge Oberlin, and it's a good thing. In typical fashion, Monk examines the body in the casket-and finds evidence of poison. The judge was murdered.

When Captain Stottlemeyer shows the same symptoms the judge had shown, Monk detects the work of a diabolical killer who wants both men dead. With his friend in danger and an enemy close, Monk will have to put his reservations aside to crack the case in time.