Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line
By Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham
Random House Audio March 2014; 9 hours
Narrated by Kristen Bell
From the library
Our favorite detective is back at it again. On the heels of a successful Kickstarter campaign and movie featuring Veronica Mars, marshmallows (or fans to those of you not in the know) are being treated to a book series as well. This first book, The Thousand Dollar Tan Line, takes places shortly after the movie. Veronica is living in Neptune again as she nurses her father back to health and temporarily runs his private investigation firm. She fears that the business won't be able to stay afloat for long, but finds a reprieve when two college girls go missing and the town council hires Mars Investigation to find them. Getting answers is never easy, especially when dealing with a corrupt sheriff, drug cartels, and family members with secrets of their own. Veronica turns to her friends Mac and Wallace and her father to help as she tries to discover what happened to the two girls.
This book came out in March but I held out for the audiobook because Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars herself, is the narrator. Although the beginning was slightly jarring because it begins from the point of view of other characters, her narration added so much to the story. Veronica sounded just the same and Bell's imitation of other beloved characters was spot-on.
I loved what the writers did with Veronica herself throughout this story. (Spoilers for the movie ahead!!) At the end of the movie, she was back together with Logan. While Logan does not feature heavily into this story, the mix of banter and painful honesty between the two seemed just like old times. It also appeared that Veronica was committing to life as a PI, against her father's wishes. The push and pull between Keith and Veronica is fascinating as he worries for her safety and wants something better than his life while she finds herself inexplicably drawn to this life. The relationship between father and daughter was always one of the most realistic and nuanced of the TV show and that continues to develop here, especially when a surprising someone from their past becomes a part of the case.
My only issue with this story lies with the mystery itself. It seemed to drag on forever and had way too many false leads. Perhaps this was because I listened to the story instead of read it, but I thought the book was wrapping up two or three times before it actually did. I also found the ending to be somewhat unbelievable.
If you are a fan of the show, reading or listening to this story is going to be a treat you don't want to miss. We may have been friends a long time ago, but it feels like no time has passed at all since we were last in corrupt and crime-ridden Neptune in the fantastic company of one Veronica Mars.
If you are a fan of the show, reading or listening to this story is going to be a treat you don't want to miss. We may have been friends a long time ago, but it feels like no time has passed at all since we were last in corrupt and crime-ridden Neptune in the fantastic company of one Veronica Mars.
I never quite understood the cult appeal that Veronica Mars seems to have, 'cause on the surface it just looked like another pretty girl show, so maybe I should check the show out on Netflix to see. I *definitely* appreciate its fandom, though -- I love it when fans are so passionate about something that their letter writing and protests get stuff accomplished.
ReplyDeleteGive it a try! The show was dark and funny and the relationships were so interesting.
DeleteI've never heard of Veronica Mars, so maybe I've got my head in the sand. :) But, I seriously need to try a few murder/mystery type books. I haven't read one in years.
ReplyDeleteThe show was on several years ago and a movie just came out this summer.
DeleteI have to say that I'm curious if anyone is reading this one who wasn't a fan of the show. I enjoyed it but I was already invested in the characters.
I've certainly heard of Veronica Mars and the actress Kristen Bell but I think this show came after my kids were the target audience, though I am not putting down adults who love it :) Glad you enjoyed the book!
ReplyDeleteIt was on during my last years of high school/first year of college. Those are the kind of things that stick with you, I think!
DeleteI loved the Veronica Mars series! And I really want to read this book. I just haven't been able to find a copy yet. It's at the top of my list but.... Listening to Kristen Bell read the audio version would be fun. I'm just not an audio-book person. I read so much faster than someone can speak I get impatient whenever I try to listen to a book.
ReplyDeleteI can understand that. I don't listen to a lot of audiobooks, but I felt like this one would be worth it!
DeleteMy goodness, I had no idea that this novel actually existed. *purchases immediately*
ReplyDeleteI was skeptical at first when a female colleague, whose taste in movies and literature often clashes with mine, recommended this show and told me it was about some teenage girl who solves crimes. The premise did not appeal to me at all. I kept telling her that I wouldn't like it but she continued to bug me incessantly about it. She even went so far as to lend me season 1. I finally broke down and decided to watch it one day to get her off my back and was hooked instantly. Consider me an avid fan of this series. Season 1 and 2 are fantastic and I like to pretend that season 3 doesn't exist. The movie was great though.
I'm glad your colleague broke you down! It's such a fantastic series and I was so happy to hear from these beloved characters again.
DeleteLet me know what you think when you read it! :)
I had never really heard of Veronica Mars until the Kickstarter campaign. The DVDs are at Redbox now, and I'm toying with the idea of watching it. Gotta figure out what all the fuss is about. :)
ReplyDeleteGive it a try! It is one of my favorite shows of all time.
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