When an author of a book debunking the career of a popular martial-arts movie star is killed, the evidence points to the star himself, despite the fact that he has been dead for years! Monk takes the case and also gets a chance to prove to Natalie that he is not as selfish as he seems.

A motley assortment of commuters, including Monk and the gang, are stuck on the highway after a fatal car accident brings traffic to a dead halt. But Monk doesn't think it was any accident and his impromptu investigation irritates authorities at the scene.