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Veronica Mars #1
The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller (2014)The first book in an original mystery series featuring twenty-eight-year-old Veronica Mars, back in action after the events of Veronica Mars: The Movie.
With the help of old friends — Logan Echolls, Mac Mackenzie, Wallace Fennel, and even Dick Casablancas — Veronica is ready to take on Neptune's darkest cases with her trademark sass and smarts.
With the help of old friends — Logan Echolls, Mac Mackenzie, Wallace Fennel, and even Dick Casablancas — Veronica is ready to take on Neptune's darkest cases with her trademark sass and smarts.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2014
894 people are currently reading
34555 people want to read
About the author
Rob Thomas
60 books1,128 followersRobert James "Rob" Thomas is an American author, producer, and screenwriter, best known as the author of the 1996 novel Rats Saw God, creator of the critically acclaimed television series Veronica Mars and co-creator of 90210 and Party Down.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,054 reviews
March 26, 2014
Please don't suck, please don't suck...
Update: It didn't suck! It was actually really amazing and completely what I was hoping for. Veronica Mars fans are going to love this one, and more so if they get the Kristen Bell narrated audio book, I imagine.
My only complaint is the romance absence, but honestly, the mystery more than made up for this. I'm sure we will see more LoVe in the future. And I'm banking that there will be a future, at least in book form. For now, I'm glad we got to see Veronica Mars doing what she does best: mystery solving!
Update: It didn't suck! It was actually really amazing and completely what I was hoping for. Veronica Mars fans are going to love this one, and more so if they get the Kristen Bell narrated audio book, I imagine.
My only complaint is the romance absence, but honestly, the mystery more than made up for this. I'm sure we will see more LoVe in the future. And I'm banking that there will be a future, at least in book form. For now, I'm glad we got to see Veronica Mars doing what she does best: mystery solving!
March 30, 2014
Just do yourself a favour and read it.
To be an avid marshmallow and receive not only a movie, but ALSO a book series that continues Veronica's story is, quite frankly incredible. There are a ton of fandoms that could never even hope to receive this type continuation of one of their beloved shows, and I will be forever thankful that there were enough rich marshmallows out there to give us what we wanted!
Now, onto the question most of you are wondering. Is the book actually any good?
YES. I won't lie, if you have never watched Veronica Mars then you're unlikely to know what is going on, as the book (like the movie) uses a lot of cameos and little inside jokes that fans of the show will really appreciate, where as non-fans will find themselves scratching their heads a bit.
The central mystery is quite well plotted and takes a slightly more adult tone to go along with Veronica's increased age. There are still some of the wacky disguises and aliases, but the crime is a little darker and more focused on possible murders than the high school hi-jinx of the show. That's not to say it is a completely serious book mind you. Veronica is still the sassiest of sass queens, and has an almost never ending selection of quips and comebacks that helped us fall in love with her during the show's run, and the supporting cast is as strong as always (if a little under-used in this entry).
Overall, I don't see any fan not enjoying this book. The mysteries, the humour, the characters, they all found themselves transferred to book form flawlessly. I may even listen to the audiobook for this, I mean Kristen Bell is no doubt narrating it, right? RIGHT?
I'm honestly so happy and cannot wait for book number two!
To be an avid marshmallow and receive not only a movie, but ALSO a book series that continues Veronica's story is, quite frankly incredible. There are a ton of fandoms that could never even hope to receive this type continuation of one of their beloved shows, and I will be forever thankful that there were enough rich marshmallows out there to give us what we wanted!
Now, onto the question most of you are wondering. Is the book actually any good?
YES. I won't lie, if you have never watched Veronica Mars then you're unlikely to know what is going on, as the book (like the movie) uses a lot of cameos and little inside jokes that fans of the show will really appreciate, where as non-fans will find themselves scratching their heads a bit.
The central mystery is quite well plotted and takes a slightly more adult tone to go along with Veronica's increased age. There are still some of the wacky disguises and aliases, but the crime is a little darker and more focused on possible murders than the high school hi-jinx of the show. That's not to say it is a completely serious book mind you. Veronica is still the sassiest of sass queens, and has an almost never ending selection of quips and comebacks that helped us fall in love with her during the show's run, and the supporting cast is as strong as always (if a little under-used in this entry).
Overall, I don't see any fan not enjoying this book. The mysteries, the humour, the characters, they all found themselves transferred to book form flawlessly. I may even listen to the audiobook for this, I mean Kristen Bell is no doubt narrating it, right? RIGHT?
I'm honestly so happy and cannot wait for book number two!
October 29, 2014
Prerelease:
And once read:
Don't get me wrong, I'm really happy to see more of Veronica Mars. Rob Thomas writes a pretty decent mystery novel, and the tone of the book is spot on. It's pretty easy to transition from watching the movie into reading this book, and I think the relationships are portrayed just as strongly and with as much feeling. It's actually fun to get a glance inside Veronica's head - we get asides in the show, but in the book there's room to explore her thoughts and feelings. (Sometimes feeeeeelings, which Logan fans will appreciate!)
BUT - and this is a big but - I'm really disappointed in Veronica's trajectory. (I felt this way about the movie, too, but to a lesser degree.) With the book, Rob Thomas is planting a flag in the sand: this is how Veronica Mars is going to continue, with Veronica back in Neptune and back with the same people she tried to escape after high school. It feels lazy and, frankly, a little sad. Wallace is teaching at the high school? Mac was working in Neptune, instead of in the Bay? Weevil's back with a motorcycle gang? Dick is going to parties with 18-year-olds? Veronica is taking her law degree and becoming a PI? The lack of character growth and development makes everything a little boring. It's the same people, in the same town, contending with another D. Lamb, solving crimes in a weird stasis.
Keith does spend quite a bit of time trying to convince Veronica that she's wasting her life, and her response is always that this work is in her blood. That's one of the reasons that I really like Veronica, but this tendency could have been handled so much better. She has a law degree - why doesn't she take the bar in California and start a campaign to oust the sheriff? Why doesn't she start an actual practice, possibly in another city? Are there going to ever be any new characters in her life?
Oh, and as someone who went to Stanford, the descriptions made me actually laugh out loud.
I also found some of the physical descriptions of the characters pretty amusing, though this is a given when you have to describe real-life actors that everyone's familiar with. Logan gets described as "vulpine," and Cliff McCormack gets a long physical description. There are many strong jawlines in Neptune. And lithe bikini bodies? Although perhaps that's just at the spring break cartel mansion.
Anyway, I did really like how true to the show the book felt, but I'm ready for Veronica to move on with her life. Ten years is a long time. I don't want to read a series of mystery novels that features Veronica in Neptune, solving crime, forever. I mean, I obviously will, but that's beside the point ...
And once read:
Don't get me wrong, I'm really happy to see more of Veronica Mars. Rob Thomas writes a pretty decent mystery novel, and the tone of the book is spot on. It's pretty easy to transition from watching the movie into reading this book, and I think the relationships are portrayed just as strongly and with as much feeling. It's actually fun to get a glance inside Veronica's head - we get asides in the show, but in the book there's room to explore her thoughts and feelings. (Sometimes feeeeeelings, which Logan fans will appreciate!)
BUT - and this is a big but - I'm really disappointed in Veronica's trajectory. (I felt this way about the movie, too, but to a lesser degree.) With the book, Rob Thomas is planting a flag in the sand: this is how Veronica Mars is going to continue, with Veronica back in Neptune and back with the same people she tried to escape after high school. It feels lazy and, frankly, a little sad. Wallace is teaching at the high school? Mac was working in Neptune, instead of in the Bay? Weevil's back with a motorcycle gang? Dick is going to parties with 18-year-olds? Veronica is taking her law degree and becoming a PI? The lack of character growth and development makes everything a little boring. It's the same people, in the same town, contending with another D. Lamb, solving crimes in a weird stasis.
Keith does spend quite a bit of time trying to convince Veronica that she's wasting her life, and her response is always that this work is in her blood. That's one of the reasons that I really like Veronica, but this tendency could have been handled so much better. She has a law degree - why doesn't she take the bar in California and start a campaign to oust the sheriff? Why doesn't she start an actual practice, possibly in another city? Are there going to ever be any new characters in her life?
Oh, and as someone who went to Stanford, the descriptions made me actually laugh out loud.
I also found some of the physical descriptions of the characters pretty amusing, though this is a given when you have to describe real-life actors that everyone's familiar with. Logan gets described as "vulpine," and Cliff McCormack gets a long physical description. There are many strong jawlines in Neptune. And lithe bikini bodies? Although perhaps that's just at the spring break cartel mansion.
Anyway, I did really like how true to the show the book felt, but I'm ready for Veronica to move on with her life. Ten years is a long time. I don't want to read a series of mystery novels that features Veronica in Neptune, solving crime, forever. I mean, I obviously will, but that's beside the point ...
November 5, 2022
Veronica Mars kehrt nach ihrem Jura-Studium zurück nach Kalifornien, um ihren Vater in dessen Privatdetektei zu unterstützen. Der neue Fall ist brisant: Unabhängig voneinander sind zwei Studentinnen von einer Party verschwunden. Veronica wird beauftragt, die beiden Mädchen zu finden, doch die Ermittlungen sind nicht ungefährlich...
*
Mein Leseeindruck:
Ich kenne leider weder die Serie noch den Film, daher hatte ich auch zuerst Bedenken, dieses Buch zu lesen. Da ich aber Thriller sehr mag und neugierig war, habe ich dem Buch also eine Chance gegeben und wurde positiv überrascht.
Der Schreibstil ist angenehm leicht und unkompliziert, und Vorwissen aus der Serie ist nicht erforderlich, um der Handlung folgen zu können. Man kommt sehr schnell rein in die Geschichte und lernt die Hintergründe kennen.
Die Handlung ist spannend, schlüssig und immer wieder überraschend. Mit einigen Wendungen, die die Geschichte nimmt, habe ich absolut nicht gerechnet.
Zusammenfassend kann ich sagen, dass mir die Lektüre des Buches viel Spaß gemacht hat und ich mich auf weitere Folgen freue!
*
Mein Leseeindruck:
Ich kenne leider weder die Serie noch den Film, daher hatte ich auch zuerst Bedenken, dieses Buch zu lesen. Da ich aber Thriller sehr mag und neugierig war, habe ich dem Buch also eine Chance gegeben und wurde positiv überrascht.
Der Schreibstil ist angenehm leicht und unkompliziert, und Vorwissen aus der Serie ist nicht erforderlich, um der Handlung folgen zu können. Man kommt sehr schnell rein in die Geschichte und lernt die Hintergründe kennen.
Die Handlung ist spannend, schlüssig und immer wieder überraschend. Mit einigen Wendungen, die die Geschichte nimmt, habe ich absolut nicht gerechnet.
Zusammenfassend kann ich sagen, dass mir die Lektüre des Buches viel Spaß gemacht hat und ich mich auf weitere Folgen freue!
December 14, 2018
4.5****
Veronica’s hands wouldn’t stop shaking. She held the revolver straight out from her body and breathed slowly, deeply, the hot-metal smell stinging her nostrils. She tried to relax her shoulders.
This book picked up after the plot of the movie; Veronica and Mac head up the PI business and Keith Mars is recovering from the car crash. Business is a little slow for the PI business, however, in the town of sun, surf, crime and corruption, the lull of the typical incoming cases changes.
It's spring break in Neptune with drunk teenagers sprawled across the streets, local police overlooking underage drinking, and all day and night raves. However, a girl soon goes missing and Veronica is called in to investigate. Not before long, another girl goes missing. There’s a connection between the two; both girls were last seen at a house party, owned by a man with serious criminal ties. Not only does Veronica have to deal with the investigation, but a surprise appearance from someone from her past brings the investigation much closer to home.
As a self proclaimed Marshmallow.... I completely loved this. Veronica Mars is a character I massively idolised as a teen and the book stayed true to the character I grew up loving. This book had great characterisation of all characters from the TV show, and brought back some of my favourites: Mac, Keith, Weevil, Dick, etc. This book had all the savvy quips and comebacks expected of the super sleuth, Veronica Mars, and was an absolute delight to read.
Veronica’s hands wouldn’t stop shaking. She held the revolver straight out from her body and breathed slowly, deeply, the hot-metal smell stinging her nostrils. She tried to relax her shoulders.
This book picked up after the plot of the movie; Veronica and Mac head up the PI business and Keith Mars is recovering from the car crash. Business is a little slow for the PI business, however, in the town of sun, surf, crime and corruption, the lull of the typical incoming cases changes.
It's spring break in Neptune with drunk teenagers sprawled across the streets, local police overlooking underage drinking, and all day and night raves. However, a girl soon goes missing and Veronica is called in to investigate. Not before long, another girl goes missing. There’s a connection between the two; both girls were last seen at a house party, owned by a man with serious criminal ties. Not only does Veronica have to deal with the investigation, but a surprise appearance from someone from her past brings the investigation much closer to home.
As a self proclaimed Marshmallow.... I completely loved this. Veronica Mars is a character I massively idolised as a teen and the book stayed true to the character I grew up loving. This book had great characterisation of all characters from the TV show, and brought back some of my favourites: Mac, Keith, Weevil, Dick, etc. This book had all the savvy quips and comebacks expected of the super sleuth, Veronica Mars, and was an absolute delight to read.
April 11, 2015
SO GREAT! If you love Veronica Mars, you'll definitely love this book. I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Kristen Bell, so the whole thing felt like one extended VM episode! I loved the mystery and pacing of it, and seeing all the characters again was wonderful.
Want to read
January 16, 2014Oh. My. God. We are finally getting a movie and now we are getting a book series too!? I officially proclaim 2014 the year of the marshmallow!
February 13, 2015
See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads
Three seasons of epic, one movie of pure awesome and now a book that will totally rock your world. I'm quite new to the Veronica Mars fandom. In fact, I didn't start watching the TV show until this book showed up in the mail, and I am so glad that it did. Before I say anything else, I highly recommend that you watch the TV show, then the movie, then read this book to have the full and proper VMars experience. The Thousand Dollar Tan Line is the ideal novel that fans of VMars will eat up, for we are once again invited back into the world of mystery, parties, scandal and corruption.
I should probably mention that to those who aren't familiar with the series is that the TV series follows Veronica Mars when she was a teenager who worked at the receptionist (among other things) of her father's company--Mars Investigations--and now, nine years later, Veronica has become a Private Investigator herself and is now her father's partner.
The Thousand Dollar Tan Line picks up soon after where the movie ended with our favourite marshmallow, Veronica, a Private Investigator, who has just landed her first big case. It's spring break in Neptune and parties and unsupervised teens flood the beaches and just as the weather gets hotter, not one, but two girls go missing and it's up to Veronica to find them--but soon it becomes apparent that this isn't just a kidnapping case. With her father, Keith, still recovering from fatal injuries, Veronica has to take this case all by herself, and what she doesn't expect is that the case has emotional ties that hit closer to home than she ever expected.
Thomas and Graham did a brilliant job at recreating Veronica's world onto the pages of a novel. While it'll never be anything like the TV show or movie, I still ended up enjoying this greatly. Veronica Mars is still her sassy self but you can see how much she's matured over the years with the turmoil that she's been through. Veronica will always be a character I'll admire, and I love her confident attitude and independent mind.
I will admit that I still had a few minor reservations in regards to this book. I felt that Weevil's part in this book was redundant--even Dick's. I get that the authors wanted to have all of our favourite characters in this, but Weevil's sudden appearance during this novel was totally out of the blue and I didn't see the point in having him here. That being said, it was still really nice to have a cameo of him.
As expected, the mystery that this book was centred around was smartly crafted. I honestly, didn't see any of the twists coming and it managed to keep me engaged during the entire read. The critic inside me did find that the mystery unravelled too slowly, but hey, I wanted Veronica Mars and I got it; that's all that really matters.
In all, The Thousand Dollar Tan Line combined a thrilling mystery and our favourite characters in a cohesive manner to produce an original VMars story that left me wanting more. I am so ready for Mr. Kiss and Tell.
A long time ago we used to be friends...
Three seasons of epic, one movie of pure awesome and now a book that will totally rock your world. I'm quite new to the Veronica Mars fandom. In fact, I didn't start watching the TV show until this book showed up in the mail, and I am so glad that it did. Before I say anything else, I highly recommend that you watch the TV show, then the movie, then read this book to have the full and proper VMars experience. The Thousand Dollar Tan Line is the ideal novel that fans of VMars will eat up, for we are once again invited back into the world of mystery, parties, scandal and corruption.
I should probably mention that to those who aren't familiar with the series is that the TV series follows Veronica Mars when she was a teenager who worked at the receptionist (among other things) of her father's company--Mars Investigations--and now, nine years later, Veronica has become a Private Investigator herself and is now her father's partner.
The Thousand Dollar Tan Line picks up soon after where the movie ended with our favourite marshmallow, Veronica, a Private Investigator, who has just landed her first big case. It's spring break in Neptune and parties and unsupervised teens flood the beaches and just as the weather gets hotter, not one, but two girls go missing and it's up to Veronica to find them--but soon it becomes apparent that this isn't just a kidnapping case. With her father, Keith, still recovering from fatal injuries, Veronica has to take this case all by herself, and what she doesn't expect is that the case has emotional ties that hit closer to home than she ever expected.
Thomas and Graham did a brilliant job at recreating Veronica's world onto the pages of a novel. While it'll never be anything like the TV show or movie, I still ended up enjoying this greatly. Veronica Mars is still her sassy self but you can see how much she's matured over the years with the turmoil that she's been through. Veronica will always be a character I'll admire, and I love her confident attitude and independent mind.
I will admit that I still had a few minor reservations in regards to this book. I felt that Weevil's part in this book was redundant--even Dick's. I get that the authors wanted to have all of our favourite characters in this, but Weevil's sudden appearance during this novel was totally out of the blue and I didn't see the point in having him here. That being said, it was still really nice to have a cameo of him.
As expected, the mystery that this book was centred around was smartly crafted. I honestly, didn't see any of the twists coming and it managed to keep me engaged during the entire read. The critic inside me did find that the mystery unravelled too slowly, but hey, I wanted Veronica Mars and I got it; that's all that really matters.
In all, The Thousand Dollar Tan Line combined a thrilling mystery and our favourite characters in a cohesive manner to produce an original VMars story that left me wanting more. I am so ready for Mr. Kiss and Tell.
~Thank you Allen and Unwin Australia for sending me this copy!~
July 6, 2014
I'm a marshmallow. I admit it.
Which means I am a Veronica Mars fan. Which means that not only have I watched all three seasons of the TV show (ahem, multiple times), I was also one of the 91,585 backers on Kickstarter who helped get the Veronica Mars movie made.
In short, I am the perfect audience for this book. If you liked the TV show and/or the movie, you will probably enjoy this novel, which is a new mystery (this is NOT a novelization of the movie or any of the episodes). The writing is true to the characters, and while I read I could even hear them speaking the lines. Kristen Bell's narration was so good that her thoughts and dialogue are especially vivid.
About the story, it's set shortly after the events of the movie take place. (If you have not yet watched the Veronica Mars movie, there are some spoilers in the book for how that case is solved.) It's Spring Break in Neptune, California, and a young woman goes missing. Veronica is hired as a private detective to try and find her, and while she's working that case, BOOM, another girl goes missing.
The plot twists are good, and as usual, Veronica gets herself into a few dangerous situations, but she's able to use her smarts (and the occasional weapon) to get out of a jam. The story pacing was good, and I raced through the book in just two sittings. I was even satisfied with the resolution of the cases.
The story allows for interactions with almost the full cast of the show, including appearances by Wallace, Mac, Cliff, Weevil, and a few other surprises. Sadly, there isn't much with Veronica's boyfriend, Logan, because he's on military deployment for several months, but I read that Rob Thomas says the next book in the series will have more Logan in it. (Insert fangirl SQUEEEE here.)
I'm not going to try and convince non-Veronica fans to read this (if you want to be converted, I would recommend you start watching season 1 of the TV show), but if you are already a fellow marshmallow, you should check out the book.
Now sing it with me: "A long time ago, we used to be friends..."
Which means I am a Veronica Mars fan. Which means that not only have I watched all three seasons of the TV show (ahem, multiple times), I was also one of the 91,585 backers on Kickstarter who helped get the Veronica Mars movie made.
In short, I am the perfect audience for this book. If you liked the TV show and/or the movie, you will probably enjoy this novel, which is a new mystery (this is NOT a novelization of the movie or any of the episodes). The writing is true to the characters, and while I read I could even hear them speaking the lines. Kristen Bell's narration was so good that her thoughts and dialogue are especially vivid.
About the story, it's set shortly after the events of the movie take place. (If you have not yet watched the Veronica Mars movie, there are some spoilers in the book for how that case is solved.) It's Spring Break in Neptune, California, and a young woman goes missing. Veronica is hired as a private detective to try and find her, and while she's working that case, BOOM, another girl goes missing.
The plot twists are good, and as usual, Veronica gets herself into a few dangerous situations, but she's able to use her smarts (and the occasional weapon) to get out of a jam. The story pacing was good, and I raced through the book in just two sittings. I was even satisfied with the resolution of the cases.
The story allows for interactions with almost the full cast of the show, including appearances by Wallace, Mac, Cliff, Weevil, and a few other surprises. Sadly, there isn't much with Veronica's boyfriend, Logan, because he's on military deployment for several months, but I read that Rob Thomas says the next book in the series will have more Logan in it. (Insert fangirl SQUEEEE here.)
I'm not going to try and convince non-Veronica fans to read this (if you want to be converted, I would recommend you start watching season 1 of the TV show), but if you are already a fellow marshmallow, you should check out the book.
Now sing it with me: "A long time ago, we used to be friends..."
April 6, 2014
3.5 STARS
So this is where my Two-Week Throwback ends. 64 episodes, a movie and now a book series. Which is funny because I read somewhere that Rob Thomas originally intended for Veronica Mars to be a serialized novel before it was picked up as a TV show.
As someone late in the Marshmallow Party, from where I stand, this series does have an addictive quality to it. But if I’m going to put the couch potato critic hat on, everything after the Lily Kane arc just paled in comparison. And that includes our diminutive heroine’s return to the seedy underbelly of Neptune, California. But The Thousand Dollar Tan Line still had the series’ trademark red herrings and plot twists within the plot twists hooked together with enough familiar charm of the cast that will keep you guessing until the very end.
It was good but not quite there yet, considering.
The story is set a few months after Veronica’s return to Neptune. After abandoning the chance to be a big-shot New York lawyer to prove Logan Echolls’ innocence, she is now back as a private investigator in the town not quite like the one she left behind nine years ago. Now plagued with corruption and an unsavoury reputation, Neptune Chamber of Commerce hires her to investigate the disappearance of a college girl at the height of spring break and curtail the dovetail in their tourism revenues. In her investigation, she entails the help of her old crew: Wallace who now teaches in Neptune High; Mac who gave up her lucrative job in Kane Software to man the desk in Mars Investigations (among other things); and Keith still recovering from the injuries he sustained (in the movie ). Things got a bit more complicated as Veronica finds herself get personally entangled with the investigation when she finds someone from her past is involved.
The thing with this franchise is, it has started to feel like it’s evolving away from being a Rob Thomas creation and towards becoming an amorphous product of its rabid fan base’s collective hearts’ yearning. It’s pretty evident with how the movie turned out: an actual fan fiction laid into film, pre-funded by its fans. I’m actually relieved that Thomas chose to continue the Veronica Mars canon in print where he’d have more latitude to be creative and explore this heroine in a proper and logical context: nine years and a law degree after.
Well there was some visible growth in some areas but most of her old antics, did feel a little too young for her to be believable. In her investigation, she’s required to go undercover among spring breakers, meant to pass as a college girl through her old ditzy, blonde ways and felt it a bit of a stretch to imagine her pulling that off. Her retorts and comebacks sometimes still slide back to her old Veronica ways (especially with Cliff - who I LOVE by the way) and sometimes reflect a bit of more believable edge (particularly with her dad). I wish there’d be more exploration on the disappointing fact that she is in fact back in Neptune, much as Mac and Wallace are also conveniently back in their old saddles (when I think about it, among the cast, only Logan has a complete HEA … so far.)
Perhaps a compromise on the part of Thomas in resurrecting this character for the benefit of the fans by putting her back where she left off but in doing so, rendering the past nine years an exercise in futility. I hope this is not the case. There’s a lot of dark, unspoken undercurrents in those angles that just begs to be explored and appreciated. And this is the perfect platform to run away and go crazy with it. I mean, are we finally going to get a Veronica-Logan smut scene? One that doesn’t fade to black???
(That will probably end up cheesing everyone off, but I’m just putting it out there. And to answer your question, yes Logan is in this book, but not very much. You’re welcome.)
To be honest, I’m not quite sure if I’d have enjoyed this book as much as I did if I didn’t have Kristen Bell reading it to me. She has the subtlest inflections, I love that her narration was distinct even from when she delivers a line as Veronica Mars. Or as Keith. Or as Logan. Or as a guy nervously smoking while he confesses what he knows about the missing girl. Her range is amazing and she managed to pull off these characters without coming across as laughable impersonations. It’s them but it’s her too.
I want Kristen Bell to adopt me and read me bedtime stories.
Then we could build a snowman together. Among other things.
Overall I found it an intriguing starting point for The Second Coming of Veronica Mars. It has the promise of becoming something substantial and realistically mature. While still being a lovely love letter to its loyal fans and yes, even those who used to be its friends but haven’t thought of it lately at all.
#seewhatididthere
Also on BookLikes.
Have you ever had a relationship that you knew wasn’t working, couldn’t work, would never work? But you just couldn’t help yourself, because the way it didn’t work was so damn good?
So this is where my Two-Week Throwback ends. 64 episodes, a movie and now a book series. Which is funny because I read somewhere that Rob Thomas originally intended for Veronica Mars to be a serialized novel before it was picked up as a TV show.
As someone late in the Marshmallow Party, from where I stand, this series does have an addictive quality to it. But if I’m going to put the couch potato critic hat on, everything after the Lily Kane arc just paled in comparison. And that includes our diminutive heroine’s return to the seedy underbelly of Neptune, California. But The Thousand Dollar Tan Line still had the series’ trademark red herrings and plot twists within the plot twists hooked together with enough familiar charm of the cast that will keep you guessing until the very end.
It was good but not quite there yet, considering.
The story is set a few months after Veronica’s return to Neptune. After abandoning the chance to be a big-shot New York lawyer to prove Logan Echolls’ innocence, she is now back as a private investigator in the town not quite like the one she left behind nine years ago. Now plagued with corruption and an unsavoury reputation, Neptune Chamber of Commerce hires her to investigate the disappearance of a college girl at the height of spring break and curtail the dovetail in their tourism revenues. In her investigation, she entails the help of her old crew: Wallace who now teaches in Neptune High; Mac who gave up her lucrative job in Kane Software to man the desk in Mars Investigations (among other things); and Keith still recovering from the injuries he sustained (in the movie ). Things got a bit more complicated as Veronica finds herself get personally entangled with the investigation when she finds someone from her past is involved.
The thing with this franchise is, it has started to feel like it’s evolving away from being a Rob Thomas creation and towards becoming an amorphous product of its rabid fan base’s collective hearts’ yearning. It’s pretty evident with how the movie turned out: an actual fan fiction laid into film, pre-funded by its fans. I’m actually relieved that Thomas chose to continue the Veronica Mars canon in print where he’d have more latitude to be creative and explore this heroine in a proper and logical context: nine years and a law degree after.
Well there was some visible growth in some areas but most of her old antics, did feel a little too young for her to be believable. In her investigation, she’s required to go undercover among spring breakers, meant to pass as a college girl through her old ditzy, blonde ways and felt it a bit of a stretch to imagine her pulling that off. Her retorts and comebacks sometimes still slide back to her old Veronica ways (especially with Cliff - who I LOVE by the way) and sometimes reflect a bit of more believable edge (particularly with her dad). I wish there’d be more exploration on the disappointing fact that she is in fact back in Neptune, much as Mac and Wallace are also conveniently back in their old saddles (when I think about it, among the cast, only Logan has a complete HEA … so far.)
Perhaps a compromise on the part of Thomas in resurrecting this character for the benefit of the fans by putting her back where she left off but in doing so, rendering the past nine years an exercise in futility. I hope this is not the case. There’s a lot of dark, unspoken undercurrents in those angles that just begs to be explored and appreciated. And this is the perfect platform to run away and go crazy with it. I mean, are we finally going to get a Veronica-Logan smut scene? One that doesn’t fade to black???
(That will probably end up cheesing everyone off, but I’m just putting it out there. And to answer your question, yes Logan is in this book, but not very much. You’re welcome.)
To be honest, I’m not quite sure if I’d have enjoyed this book as much as I did if I didn’t have Kristen Bell reading it to me. She has the subtlest inflections, I love that her narration was distinct even from when she delivers a line as Veronica Mars. Or as Keith. Or as Logan. Or as a guy nervously smoking while he confesses what he knows about the missing girl. Her range is amazing and she managed to pull off these characters without coming across as laughable impersonations. It’s them but it’s her too.
I want Kristen Bell to adopt me and read me bedtime stories.
Then we could build a snowman together. Among other things.
Overall I found it an intriguing starting point for The Second Coming of Veronica Mars. It has the promise of becoming something substantial and realistically mature. While still being a lovely love letter to its loyal fans and yes, even those who used to be its friends but haven’t thought of it lately at all.
#seewhatididthere
Also on BookLikes.
July 1, 2023
4⭐
Genre ~ crime thriller
Series ~ Veronica Mars #1
Publication date ~ March 25, 2014
Page Count ~ 324
Audio length ~ 8 hours 42 minutes
Narrator ~ Kristen Bell
POV ~ single 3rd
Featuring ~ private investigators, missing girl, some violence, no steamage
Read this one a while ago, before my review writing times. I've gotten my daughter into watching the series, now she's reading the books so I figured I'd pop in and write something. However, since I read it ages ago I don't have too much to contribute.
~ I 💙 Logan
~ I didn't listen to it, but I love that Kristen narrated. I bet she did a lovely job.
In case you were wondering here is the correct order to watch/read ~ watch seasons 1-3, watch the movie, read the 2 books then watch season 4 (thanks to my girl Tiffany for this info).
Daughter of a few words thoughts ~ you definitely have to listen to what my mother said above or you won't understand what's going on. I love Logan too, but it's totally gross to like the same person as my mother, so I'll take young Logan and she can have older Logan.
We'll be back with more exiting thoughts on the next book soon.
Genre ~ crime thriller
Series ~ Veronica Mars #1
Publication date ~ March 25, 2014
Page Count ~ 324
Audio length ~ 8 hours 42 minutes
Narrator ~ Kristen Bell
POV ~ single 3rd
Featuring ~ private investigators, missing girl, some violence, no steamage
Read this one a while ago, before my review writing times. I've gotten my daughter into watching the series, now she's reading the books so I figured I'd pop in and write something. However, since I read it ages ago I don't have too much to contribute.
~ I 💙 Logan
~ I didn't listen to it, but I love that Kristen narrated. I bet she did a lovely job.
In case you were wondering here is the correct order to watch/read ~ watch seasons 1-3, watch the movie, read the 2 books then watch season 4 (thanks to my girl Tiffany for this info).
Daughter of a few words thoughts ~ you definitely have to listen to what my mother said above or you won't understand what's going on. I love Logan too, but it's totally gross to like the same person as my mother, so I'll take young Logan and she can have older Logan.
We'll be back with more exiting thoughts on the next book soon.
July 12, 2023
I loved watching Veronica Mars on TV and was so sad when the show ended. Then they made a movie and I got to see my favorite characters again. And now I’ve found books that’s document more shenanigans by my favorite characters – I am in heaven! These books are so well written that I can actually see the characters playing it all out in my head. Veronica still has all the spunk and curiosity that she did on the TV show, her dad’s there with his satirical way of parenting, Max my favorite hacker is there helping at Mars investigations- this book couldn’t have been any better. I am hoping my library finds a way to get more books from this series for me to read.
Any fan of Veronica mars will be delighted to have the story go on with these books 🥰
Any fan of Veronica mars will be delighted to have the story go on with these books 🥰
July 29, 2016
This the only book I have ever pre-ordered with release-day delivery.
On March 25, 2014, I will open my mailbox, and this will happen:
Passersby will see:
And, I, with all the other release-day fans, will open the cover and begin again...
-------------------------------------------------
Updated 30 March 2014
(Note: As of this update, there are eleven "likes" for the above, pre-read section of the review. These eleven "likes" do not reflect any judgement or views for the below section of the review.)
First: If you have not seen the Veronica Mars television series or watched the Veronica Mars movie:
Reader, meet Veronica. Veronica, meet reader. Now...
Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Go directly to your favorite on-demand or other outlet and start the series. Three seasons, roughly 60 episodes, at about 40-45 minutes a piece. Then, watch the movie. It's available for rent. You'll be gone for a while. We'll wait...
Still here? Sure, you can read the book. It stands alone by itself, but you will miss SO MUCH.
Fair warning given...Onward!
So, how many of the fans will go into this book with trepidation? Most of us? Can this book live up to the series or to the movie? What will get lost in translation or in the media shift? Will Veronica, Logan, Dick, Wallace, Mac, etc...be the same? What will become of the franchise?
So, here's the thing. It works. The book works, and now I want more. Pump 'em out, 'cause I'll pay.
Not convinced? Well, here's my honest review, sans spoilers.
Reason for Book’s Selection
I was really, really busy when the series first came out, so I never saw it on television. In early 2013, I went to the movies, saw the trailer for the Veronica Mars movie, and thought, "I don't watch much t.v., but this has potential..." So, I started the series and, frankly, the two weeks it took me to watch the show are still a blur. For a while there, I sort of agreed with Logan...
Characterization
The characters are here. Some exit; new enter. But Veronica, Dick, Mac, Wallace, etc...: They are here--smarter, wiser, older...
But they still read true.
Narration
For the first time, the audience is privy to a less censured view of Veronica's thoughts and feelings.
As mentioned earlier, I was worried. How could Veronica's "voice" translate to non-visual narration? Even as I began reading, I was convinced the new point-of-view wouldn't work. The audience has never gotten this unwavering perspective before, and I thought that knowing Veronica's thoughts would detract. For me, part of her appeal is that she always remains a bit removed from those around her, a bit mysterious even. While the t.v./movie audience receives tender glimpses now and then, at the end of the day, I think most of us like that she gets back on the proverbial horse and projects a tough exterior.
However, when the reader lets go and reads on, she discovers (or at least I did) that knowing more about Veronica's thoughts and feelings helps the story to grow and the audience to grow with her. Win-win!
Dialog
I actually laughed-out-loud in several places. Our favorite characters are on time with comedic relief, and it is a joy to see them come into the story in various and interesting ways--all with near-perfect dialog.
Description
Okay. Not all is rainbow and butterflies. The writing is mostly really good, but there are a few detractors in the form of superfluous adjectives and adverbs. Many readers will not notice. Many readers will not care, but I try not to gloss over things, so here is just one example:
"The house was mind-blowingly lavish, even for Neptune."
Is this line horrible? Not really. Can it be improved? Absolutely yes! Since the series/movie and even the book make it abundantly clear that Neptune's standards are high because the rich-of-the-rich live there, "mind-blowingly" is redundant and lacks meaning. How about:
"The house was lavish, even by Neptune's standards."
Okay, obviously I'm nit-picking. If the worst I can throw at a book is complaints about "lithe" bodies, "supple" what-evers, and just an overall abundance of meaningless descriptors, the book simply cannot be that bad...
On a more general note, the book contains descriptions that are sometimes rather specific to California--those who are not from there, etc...will glide right past, and those who are or who have at least visited will enjoy the "insider" descriptions.
Setting
California: Neptune and other places that I shall not spoil
Prequel / Sequel / Etc.
1. Three season series, 2004-2007
2. Veronica Mars movie
3. Let there be more!
Ingenuity/Premise
This is one of the few franchises where the audience can watch a character grow, mature, and learn over such a long period of time.
Really! How many characters does an audience get to watch through high school? Often, stories end there. College? Another stand-alone story. Working adult life? Sure, there are lots of those stories, but usually without the pretext and context. And, of course, love triangles?
There are popular franchises that exist on the love triangle alone. Yet they always end when the girl selects a mate. Not here. Not Veronica.
Plot
While the reader is mind-deep in one story-line, new ones are being woven in, set-up, and ended...
Another part of this franchise's success, in my opinion, is that the plot goes on. So, as usual, Veronica is back, and the stakes are higher than ever. She has more to gain, more to lose, and a lot of pain to work through.
Contains
Violence, language, and mature themes
A Few Positives
This is one of the few books where the narration, especially the words between the dialog (i.e.--"He said..."), is actually worth reading, not skimming. Even seemingly inane narration provides insight into how Veronica operates and clues abut the crimes.
Here is a quick and random collection of other positives (from my perspective): Interesting new characters are introduced. I like that Veronica's more biting and callous words and actions, which were shrugged at, laughed off, and otherwise forgiven in her younger years, are now starting to play out differently. She is older. She cannot get away with the same tricks, so she has to develop new ones...It was nice to see things in print that I had never really processed before. For example, I had forgotten Mac's full name. I never knew how to spell some of the names. Etc...There are new insights into the characters, including a bit of some of their back-stories. I thought the dialog was great. Etc...
Negatives/Errors/Drawbacks
There are a few, such as a mention of a certain van that was actually a work truck, but most of them involve spoilers. If you do not mind reading a spoiler or twelve, I put them at the very end in a set-apart spoilers section.
And now for the...
Sum-It-Up Pyramid
(5) Book earns well-deserved, four-star rating.
(4) I was not disappointed.
(3) More Veronica, please!
(2) Great book!
(1) Recommended!
Blush on, Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham...you earned it!
-------------------------------------------------
Spoiler Section Below
(To see it, click...)
March 18, 2019
It was lovely getting back into the Veronica Mars universe.
She is still just as sassy as I remember and I am looking forward to the next book!
She is still just as sassy as I remember and I am looking forward to the next book!
March 25, 2014
If you're on the fence about reading the book, I'm gonna tell you to read it. Not just because I supremely enjoyed it, but because if this is the canon that Rob Thomas is writing, you're going to want to follow it. And he didn't pull punches. At this point, I'd follow that man into Hell and back, and there'd be a lot of snappy dialogue in between.
I wasn't sure exactly what I was expecting from this book. Probably the last time I read some television-book adaptation was when I was like 10 and owned a copy of the novelization of Jungle 2 Jungle. I didn't think the book was going to be bad -- I just also didn't expect great things.
But, this book was really good. I mean, coming to it through the biased and very tinted lens of an enormous fan, but it feels like the show in exactly the way you want it to. The movie was fan-centered, not story-centered. The mystery played a background role to the characters -- and to Logan and Veronica's relationship. This book goes back to making the mystery the focus, the nitty-grittiness, the noir element that makes Veronica Mars so great (not that I wasn't keeping my eyes peeled for mentions of Logan, like have we never met).
At 300 pages, it's a pretty quick read. I read a good amount of thrillers, and I thought the mystery was decently engaging. Some nice prose, but mostly it hits all the buttons for an avid Veronica Mars fan. It's wonderful getting more depth from Veronica, in a way that we didn't get from the movie or in the TV show. Little details -- like the things she's writing in her notebook, more of her thoughts that you can hear in your head narrated by a wry KBell. It was like I was watching a very long HBO episode of the show (FINALLY -- free range to use the word "fuck"), and it was awesome.
HEAVY SPOILERS AHEAD THAT MAKE VERY LITTLE SENSE IF YOU DIDN'T READ THE BOOK. And flailing.
I have to read it again to get other thoughts on writing and structure, but yeah. This book was great, exceeded expectations. I'd happily read all of these books. Keep them coming. You can hear all the character voices PERFECTLY. It's a beautiful thing. I'm very, very happy.
UGH, I want to give this book 4.5 stars, because it's so close to being PERFECTION ITSELF, but I'm once again thwarted by Goodreads.
I wasn't sure exactly what I was expecting from this book. Probably the last time I read some television-book adaptation was when I was like 10 and owned a copy of the novelization of Jungle 2 Jungle. I didn't think the book was going to be bad -- I just also didn't expect great things.
But, this book was really good. I mean, coming to it through the biased and very tinted lens of an enormous fan, but it feels like the show in exactly the way you want it to. The movie was fan-centered, not story-centered. The mystery played a background role to the characters -- and to Logan and Veronica's relationship. This book goes back to making the mystery the focus, the nitty-grittiness, the noir element that makes Veronica Mars so great (not that I wasn't keeping my eyes peeled for mentions of Logan, like have we never met).
At 300 pages, it's a pretty quick read. I read a good amount of thrillers, and I thought the mystery was decently engaging. Some nice prose, but mostly it hits all the buttons for an avid Veronica Mars fan. It's wonderful getting more depth from Veronica, in a way that we didn't get from the movie or in the TV show. Little details -- like the things she's writing in her notebook, more of her thoughts that you can hear in your head narrated by a wry KBell. It was like I was watching a very long HBO episode of the show (FINALLY -- free range to use the word "fuck"), and it was awesome.
HEAVY SPOILERS AHEAD THAT MAKE VERY LITTLE SENSE IF YOU DIDN'T READ THE BOOK. And flailing.
I have to read it again to get other thoughts on writing and structure, but yeah. This book was great, exceeded expectations. I'd happily read all of these books. Keep them coming. You can hear all the character voices PERFECTLY. It's a beautiful thing. I'm very, very happy.
UGH, I want to give this book 4.5 stars, because it's so close to being PERFECTION ITSELF, but I'm once again thwarted by Goodreads.
March 26, 2014
Remember Veronica Mars? She's back. In Pog book form.
Let's get the obvious major criticism out of the way first: I wanted a first-person noir narrative and what I got was a third-person litfic narrative. It's a curious choice, especially since the story is still told from Veronica's POV, and a book would have been the perfect opportunity to let her unique voice shine. But I'm assuming Rob Thomas was too busy, you know, making the movie to write that book, and Jennifer Graham does do a surprisingly good job capturing the character's voices. With tie-in books, there's sometimes the danger of the characters' dialogue turning into familiar catchphrases and speech patterns (the Avatar: The Last Airbender comics suffer from this somewhat), but I could hear the actors say all the dialogue in my head. It felt very natural. And, even though the style took some getting used to, the book is very well written, if lacking in a strong voice, Veronica's inner monologue often warring with the descriptive, contemplative litfic style, which is low on the sharp humor characteristic of the show.
But after the prologue and first chapter, which are jarring and mostly recapping the events of the movie to get the reader up to speed, the book becomes incredibly readable and hard to put down. Veronica is hired to investigate the disappearance of a girl from a raucous spring break party, and the money's really good, which gives her some personal stakes, as Mars Investigations is in dire need of cash. But soon, the case gets much more personal, and it's a story Veronica Mars fans have been waiting for.
Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham do their best to serve the fans, but, as in the movie, it's done fairly elegantly, maybe even moreso, as the book doesn't have nearly as many cameos. We do see some faces we haven't seen in a while, and Thomas and Graham occasionally throw in references to past cases and characters when relevant, as if ten years ago was merely yesterday. Continuity has always been one of the show's strong points, so I appreciated the effort.
Characters like Keith and Logan, who got a lot of focus in the movie, don't get as much focus in the book, but, to my delight, Mac and Wallace, who were underused in the movie, get to help Veronica with the mystery in the book, and it's wonderful. As in the movie, however, the book is Veronica-centric, and the story plays like an exciting superlong episode with a twisty mystery worthy of the Veronica Mars name.
I loved returning to Neptune and these characters, who have been with me for a decade now. May they live on for a decade more.
Let's get the obvious major criticism out of the way first: I wanted a first-person noir narrative and what I got was a third-person litfic narrative. It's a curious choice, especially since the story is still told from Veronica's POV, and a book would have been the perfect opportunity to let her unique voice shine. But I'm assuming Rob Thomas was too busy, you know, making the movie to write that book, and Jennifer Graham does do a surprisingly good job capturing the character's voices. With tie-in books, there's sometimes the danger of the characters' dialogue turning into familiar catchphrases and speech patterns (the Avatar: The Last Airbender comics suffer from this somewhat), but I could hear the actors say all the dialogue in my head. It felt very natural. And, even though the style took some getting used to, the book is very well written, if lacking in a strong voice, Veronica's inner monologue often warring with the descriptive, contemplative litfic style, which is low on the sharp humor characteristic of the show.
But after the prologue and first chapter, which are jarring and mostly recapping the events of the movie to get the reader up to speed, the book becomes incredibly readable and hard to put down. Veronica is hired to investigate the disappearance of a girl from a raucous spring break party, and the money's really good, which gives her some personal stakes, as Mars Investigations is in dire need of cash. But soon, the case gets much more personal, and it's a story Veronica Mars fans have been waiting for.
Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham do their best to serve the fans, but, as in the movie, it's done fairly elegantly, maybe even moreso, as the book doesn't have nearly as many cameos. We do see some faces we haven't seen in a while, and Thomas and Graham occasionally throw in references to past cases and characters when relevant, as if ten years ago was merely yesterday. Continuity has always been one of the show's strong points, so I appreciated the effort.
Characters like Keith and Logan, who got a lot of focus in the movie, don't get as much focus in the book, but, to my delight, Mac and Wallace, who were underused in the movie, get to help Veronica with the mystery in the book, and it's wonderful. As in the movie, however, the book is Veronica-centric, and the story plays like an exciting superlong episode with a twisty mystery worthy of the Veronica Mars name.
I loved returning to Neptune and these characters, who have been with me for a decade now. May they live on for a decade more.
February 24, 2015
So easy to see this as a story arc of the already existing canon. Even better with KBell's narration.
Wish the next audiobook had her narrating as well, but at least I can still just read it so that I can imagine in in her voice!
Wish the next audiobook had her narrating as well, but at least I can still just read it so that I can imagine in in her voice!
November 17, 2015
A decent little book - I felt like I was watching an episode of the show. While I think you can enjoy this without having watched the show, I think you will appreciate it more if you have.
Want to read
March 28, 2014It's here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT'S ALMOST MARCH!
Pre-ordered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SO much geeking out!!
I think a series re-watch is in order. :)
IT'S ALMOST MARCH!
Pre-ordered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SO much geeking out!!
I think a series re-watch is in order. :)
September 20, 2019
My marshmallow self is content now to wait a bit for the second in the series and also for the new Hulu episodes to come out on DVD. Narrated by Kristen Bell. Snarky and surprising. Picks up where the feature film leaves off.
August 11, 2016
Please note that some minor spoilers for this year’s Veronica Mars movie were inevitable.
I just love the 21st century, don't you? A TV show gets cancelled, leaving behind millions of grieving fans. After years of struggle, a movie gets made, crowdfunded by adoring viewers who were unable to let go. While this is happening, creator of the show Rob Thomas (originally a novelist), decides to start a book series, which will pick up exactly where the movie leaves off. And all of it, every single thing ends up being a huge success. At this point, one can safely call Veronica Mars a multimedia sensation.
Veronica may have been gone for many years, but Neptune is still the same cesspool of crime and corruption. It gets even worse during spring break, when thousands of adolescents, unsupervised and wild, travel there to drown in alcohol and irresponsible behavior. When two young girls go missing, no one is really surprised, least of all Veronica herself. But she is surprised when she discovers that she has a strong personal connection to one of the girls and that she has to find a way to put aside her own emotional turmoil in order to work the case. To make matters worse, her father is still unhappy that she gave up her career in law and he’s still recovering from a grave injury. Logan has been deployed and a bad Skype connection is all they have for comfort. Corruption in Neptune is worse than ever, which means Veronica has to work around the inept Sheriff if she wants to make any progress on her case. And then, just to push things from bad to worse, her Mom shows up…
I’ve come to admire Veronica even more now that she’s an adult. She is emotional and soft, but fiercely independent. At this point, she doesn’t need anyone to come to her rescue. She is perfectly capable of defending herself. That’s not to say that she doesn’t have a very supportive group of friends! The entire old gang is back right alongside her, and with the exception of Logan, they all help in some way. For his part, Logan is the one she turns to for emotional support. When push comes to shove, she is far more likely to e-mail him than talk to anyone else.
Really, if you think about it, audio is really the best choice if one wants to enjoy this book fully. Narrated by Kristen Bell (because who else could narrate it?), it’s almost like Veronica herself is sitting beside you, telling you her story over cocktails and snacks.
The second book, titled Mr. Kiss and Tell, is scheduled for release in late October 2014. My copy is already pre-ordered, what are you waiting for?
I just love the 21st century, don't you? A TV show gets cancelled, leaving behind millions of grieving fans. After years of struggle, a movie gets made, crowdfunded by adoring viewers who were unable to let go. While this is happening, creator of the show Rob Thomas (originally a novelist), decides to start a book series, which will pick up exactly where the movie leaves off. And all of it, every single thing ends up being a huge success. At this point, one can safely call Veronica Mars a multimedia sensation.
Veronica may have been gone for many years, but Neptune is still the same cesspool of crime and corruption. It gets even worse during spring break, when thousands of adolescents, unsupervised and wild, travel there to drown in alcohol and irresponsible behavior. When two young girls go missing, no one is really surprised, least of all Veronica herself. But she is surprised when she discovers that she has a strong personal connection to one of the girls and that she has to find a way to put aside her own emotional turmoil in order to work the case. To make matters worse, her father is still unhappy that she gave up her career in law and he’s still recovering from a grave injury. Logan has been deployed and a bad Skype connection is all they have for comfort. Corruption in Neptune is worse than ever, which means Veronica has to work around the inept Sheriff if she wants to make any progress on her case. And then, just to push things from bad to worse, her Mom shows up…
I’ve come to admire Veronica even more now that she’s an adult. She is emotional and soft, but fiercely independent. At this point, she doesn’t need anyone to come to her rescue. She is perfectly capable of defending herself. That’s not to say that she doesn’t have a very supportive group of friends! The entire old gang is back right alongside her, and with the exception of Logan, they all help in some way. For his part, Logan is the one she turns to for emotional support. When push comes to shove, she is far more likely to e-mail him than talk to anyone else.
Really, if you think about it, audio is really the best choice if one wants to enjoy this book fully. Narrated by Kristen Bell (because who else could narrate it?), it’s almost like Veronica herself is sitting beside you, telling you her story over cocktails and snacks.
The second book, titled Mr. Kiss and Tell, is scheduled for release in late October 2014. My copy is already pre-ordered, what are you waiting for?
February 8, 2018
It's hard to know how I would have felt about THE THOUSAND-DOLLAR TAN LINE had I read it. One has to assume there would've been more delight than dismay considering this spin-off from the Veronica Mars show literally follows in the steps of the movie and was written by the same creator and writer. But sometimes the change in medium just doesn't translate. So it's a really good thing that I chose to listen to the audiobook, despite saying I wasn't ready to venture out into unread listens yet, because having Kristen Bell between my ears, with her trademark Veronica sass, her ability to do voices, and all her brilliant emoting, was perfect. It was like being back with the gang all over again. Which makes the fact that she isn't the one narrating book two pretty disappointing.
This story felt very true to a typical Veronica Mars mystery with all the twists and turns and surprises I've come to expect from the writers. Again, had I read it, would it have compared to the show and movie? Hard to say. But the audiobook was so well done and even if this took me almost a week to get through, I was never bored, never lost the thread, or the plot, and I'm so happy I had this to pass the time at work.
This story felt very true to a typical Veronica Mars mystery with all the twists and turns and surprises I've come to expect from the writers. Again, had I read it, would it have compared to the show and movie? Hard to say. But the audiobook was so well done and even if this took me almost a week to get through, I was never bored, never lost the thread, or the plot, and I'm so happy I had this to pass the time at work.
November 25, 2016
It’s spring break and students has descended into the Neptune town, transforming the beaches into a frenzied, month long rave. Out of this one girl disappears from a party, And Veronica is called in to investigate. Veronica who has traded her law degree for her old private investigation license, struggling to keep Mars investigation afloat on the scant cash earned by catching cheating spouses until she can score her first big case.The house the girl vanished belonged to drug cartel, a notorious business man and Veronica plunged into a dangerous underworld of drugs and organized crime. Doesn’t the plot sound dramatic!!
Have you ever had a relationship that you knew wasn’t working, couldn’t work, would never work? But you just couldn’t help yourself, because the way it didn’t work was so damn good?
To, be honest when I picked this I hadn’t heard by the show or the movie of the same name. I was just casually wandering into library and I came across this lightweight thin book. I vaguely remembered it was nominated of goodread choice awards under Mystery genre not sure about the year. I thought of giving it a try. Although after looking into recent winners like “The girl on the train”, I was bit skeptical. But due to the length I though its okay just 300 pages. The book started as I said bit dramatic, I thought it would be complete drama, I was little taken aback initially. I won’t say completely hooked or something unputdownable. One girl disappeared, second girl disappeared. After first break I was like completely swayed, nothing to do with mafia, drugs, raves, totally different angle. And second kidnapping even more interesting. I like the twists and turns with second case. Nothing dramatic just too prose, logical.
A decent little but a complete classic noir. I enjoyed it but not something so overwhelmed. So, will sign off by 3.5/5. I doubt I am marshmallow :P
December 21, 2014
I absolutely adored this book and I read it in one sitting - the writing was PERFECT and felt exactly like watching the show. It was so much fun to hear all the characters voices in my head as I read; to picture their mannerisms and the settings and the little looks shared between characters. Such a unique experience, since novelizations of TV shows generally don't hold a candle to the original show. This was wonderful. I can't wait for the next one, and I hope there are more.
Read
January 27, 2023Kristen Bell narrating this book = perfection. I *wish* there was romance in this one (Logan Echolls is away at sea for the entire mystery) but Kristen is such a great narrator it was still fantastic and gave me all the Veronica Mars feels I could hope for.
Oh, and fyi, there are only 2 books in this series (no more coming from what I can tell) and Kristen does not narrate book 2 so I'm preparing for my heart to get broken (seriously, I know there's a bunch of stuff being laid out for a whole series arc and I doubt it will wrap up at b2, which will leave me just as grumpy as the show's finale, and yet, I still plan on reading b2 because, well, I can't help myself).
Oh, and fyi, there are only 2 books in this series (no more coming from what I can tell) and Kristen does not narrate book 2 so I'm preparing for my heart to get broken (seriously, I know there's a bunch of stuff being laid out for a whole series arc and I doubt it will wrap up at b2, which will leave me just as grumpy as the show's finale, and yet, I still plan on reading b2 because, well, I can't help myself).
January 24, 2020
The entertaining, fun first title in the mystery series was also made into a TV show, which I never got around to watching, though it did sound like something I'd enjoy. The book is well written. That quality jumped out at me first. It uses nice touches in the characterization and setting. I guess Veronica could be compared to Charlie's Angels (I never watched it, either). The plot and mystery both work for the most part. I guessed the whodunit early on, but it didn't detract from my rich enjoyment.
March 30, 2014
Veronica Mars makes me so happy! Picking up the story a couple of months after the movie, 'Tan Line' is perfect for fangirls (and boys) who need a little more Veronica in their lives.
I've always been a proud marshmallow, the movie had me grinning from beginning to end, so it was unlikely that I wouldn't love this book. Reading it soon after watching the movie definitely made it even better, not just because the story follows on, but because I was reminded of everything I loved about the characters and the actors playing them. I could hear them in my head as I read, their tones of voices and the line delivery, sarcasm and mannerisms... it all just fit so well.
The mystery itself was well plotted and kept me guessing, though I was definitely more focused on Veronica's sass than who the bad guy might be. Having said that, she did feel a little less self-assured than in the past, but maybe that's down to the book being written from her POV, so we get a little more insight into Veronica 'behind the mask', so to speak.
So what of people who have never seen an episode of VM? Firstly, WHY NOT?! But really... it's written with some back story information stuffed in so that you *can* read it as a standalone. You *could* still enjoy the mystery and all of the twists and turns. But, honestly, I think 'Tan Line' is written for the existing fandom, and you need to do the background work to truly appreciate the humour, jibes and criss-crossing relationships.
I loved it. I devoured it.
I am a marshmallow, and I want more.
I've always been a proud marshmallow, the movie had me grinning from beginning to end, so it was unlikely that I wouldn't love this book. Reading it soon after watching the movie definitely made it even better, not just because the story follows on, but because I was reminded of everything I loved about the characters and the actors playing them. I could hear them in my head as I read, their tones of voices and the line delivery, sarcasm and mannerisms... it all just fit so well.
The mystery itself was well plotted and kept me guessing, though I was definitely more focused on Veronica's sass than who the bad guy might be. Having said that, she did feel a little less self-assured than in the past, but maybe that's down to the book being written from her POV, so we get a little more insight into Veronica 'behind the mask', so to speak.
So what of people who have never seen an episode of VM? Firstly, WHY NOT?! But really... it's written with some back story information stuffed in so that you *can* read it as a standalone. You *could* still enjoy the mystery and all of the twists and turns. But, honestly, I think 'Tan Line' is written for the existing fandom, and you need to do the background work to truly appreciate the humour, jibes and criss-crossing relationships.
I loved it. I devoured it.
I am a marshmallow, and I want more.
August 15, 2014
This was absolutely perfect and I think was even better as an audiobook. Kristen Bell does everyone's voices and cadences absolutely PERFECTLY, I could picture every character during the entire story. If you're a Veronica Mars fan, this will definitely scratch that itch. If you aren't a Veronica Mars fan, please remedy that so that we can be friends again.
See my full review here: http://youtu.be/0uAubKd4ZnY
See my full review here: http://youtu.be/0uAubKd4ZnY
March 29, 2014
EDIT: 26Mar
4.5 stars
I'm already done with the book. I'm going out for a while, review later when I get back.
EDIT: 17Mar
The synopsis is out!!! See below:
________________________________________
From Rob Thomas, the creator of the television series and movie phenomenon Veronica Mars, comes the first book in a thrilling mystery series that picks up where the feature film left off.
Ten years after graduating from high school in Neptune, California, Veronica Mars is back in the land of sun, sand, crime, and corruption. She’s traded in her law degree for her old private investigating license, struggling to keep Mars Investigations afloat on the scant cash earned by catching cheating spouses until she can score her first big case.
Now it’s spring break, and college students descend on Neptune, transforming the beaches and boardwalks into a frenzied, week-long rave. When a girl disappears from a party, Veronica is called in to investigate. But this is no simple missing person’s case; the house the girl vanished from belongs to a man with serious criminal ties, and soon Veronica is plunged into a dangerous underworld of drugs and organized crime. And when a major break in the investigation has a shocking connection to Veronica’s past, the case hits closer to home than she ever imagined.
In Veronica Mars, Rob Thomas has created a groundbreaking female detective who’s part Phillip Marlowe, part Nancy Drew, and all snark. With its sharp plot and clever twists, The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line will keep you guessing until the very last page.
________________________________________
A few years ago, back when it seemed like the movie has very little chance of happening, I hoped and I prayed that atleast Rob Thomas will bring it back in book form. I remember even tweeting him about it since I know that he started as a novelist and even Veronica Mars was first envisioned as a young adult novel with a male character.
7 years after the cancellation, not only we will have a movie, we will also have 2 books about Veronica Mars!!! I couldn't be more happier. I'm just so in love with this show even after all these years.
With all that said, I'm SO EXCITED FOR THESE BOOKS!!!
4.5 stars
I'm already done with the book. I'm going out for a while, review later when I get back.
EDIT: 17Mar
The synopsis is out!!! See below:
________________________________________
From Rob Thomas, the creator of the television series and movie phenomenon Veronica Mars, comes the first book in a thrilling mystery series that picks up where the feature film left off.
Ten years after graduating from high school in Neptune, California, Veronica Mars is back in the land of sun, sand, crime, and corruption. She’s traded in her law degree for her old private investigating license, struggling to keep Mars Investigations afloat on the scant cash earned by catching cheating spouses until she can score her first big case.
Now it’s spring break, and college students descend on Neptune, transforming the beaches and boardwalks into a frenzied, week-long rave. When a girl disappears from a party, Veronica is called in to investigate. But this is no simple missing person’s case; the house the girl vanished from belongs to a man with serious criminal ties, and soon Veronica is plunged into a dangerous underworld of drugs and organized crime. And when a major break in the investigation has a shocking connection to Veronica’s past, the case hits closer to home than she ever imagined.
In Veronica Mars, Rob Thomas has created a groundbreaking female detective who’s part Phillip Marlowe, part Nancy Drew, and all snark. With its sharp plot and clever twists, The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line will keep you guessing until the very last page.
________________________________________
A few years ago, back when it seemed like the movie has very little chance of happening, I hoped and I prayed that atleast Rob Thomas will bring it back in book form. I remember even tweeting him about it since I know that he started as a novelist and even Veronica Mars was first envisioned as a young adult novel with a male character.
7 years after the cancellation, not only we will have a movie, we will also have 2 books about Veronica Mars!!! I couldn't be more happier. I'm just so in love with this show even after all these years.
With all that said, I'm SO EXCITED FOR THESE BOOKS!!!
February 3, 2019
4.5 stars for the audiobook as narrated by Kristen Bell.
A good solid mystery that kept me guessing. If you like the TV series, you'll like this book! With Rob Thomas writing, and Kristen Bell narrating, the vibe is just like the show.
My only disappointment with this book is that I finished it ready to dive into the next in series and realized the second book has a different narrator. Booo!
Badass Female Character score: 5/5 -- It's freaking Veronica Mars! She rocks!
A good solid mystery that kept me guessing. If you like the TV series, you'll like this book! With Rob Thomas writing, and Kristen Bell narrating, the vibe is just like the show.
My only disappointment with this book is that I finished it ready to dive into the next in series and realized the second book has a different narrator. Booo!
Badass Female Character score: 5/5 -- It's freaking Veronica Mars! She rocks!
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