Like the other novels, the story is narrated by Natalie Teeger, Monk's assistant.

[1] Since Summit's police are understaffed, and the controversy brought forth more criminal activity, Disher's girlfriend flies to San Francisco to convince Adrian Monk and Natalie Teeger to help their friend Randy,[2] by serving as temporary police officers for the town.

Adrian Monk ignores the threats and keeps investigating, until he solves the murder.

Weeks after the arrest, Captain Stottlemeyer asks Natalie and Monk whether they’re going to return to San Francisco.

Mr. Monk and the Open House is an excerpt from Mr. Monk on Patrol that was published as a short story in the December 2011 issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine before the release of the book.