Published: March 25, 2014
Pages: 336
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 4 Stars
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.
In short: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line stays true to the spirit of the original TV series and is a must read for fans of Veronica Mars.
And thankfully, both the movie and this first book in a planned series, The Thousand Dollar Tan Line, have stayed remarkably true to the spirit of the original TV series. The whole gang is back, the mysteries are well plotted and surprising, and the snarky dialogue and clever one liners have returned in full force. I'm not sure the book brings quite the same level of engagement that I felt for the TV series, but it's pretty damn good and if it means we get more Veronica then I will absolutely take it.
Of course it helps that I listened to the audiobook version of The Thousand Dollar Tan Line, as narrated by Veronica herself, Kristen Bell. I certainly can't imagine anyone else doing the audio for this one and doing it justice. It just wouldn't be the same! Listening to Kristen Bell narrating the story is just like listening to her narrating an extra episode. Furthermore, I thought she did a remarkable job with the other characters' voices. Clearly, audiobook is the way to go with this one!
As much as I love me some LoVe, I was actually glad that the romance took a back seat in The Thousand Dollar Tan Line as Logan is out of the picture for most of the novel. This allowed the story to go back to its origins about a snarky girl detective who is independent and clever, but also hugely compassionate. If you are a Veronica Mars fan, then The Thousand Dollar Tan Line is not to be missed! And if you are NOT a Veronica Mars fan... then what are you doing with your life?! Jokes, jokes. But seriously, I can't recommend the original series enough (or the first two seasons anyway...) so definitely get on it!
Other Reviews:
Ex Libris
Late Nights With Good Books
The Nocturnal Library
Author Links:
Website
Aylee, I'm a Veronica Mars fangirl, so you'd best believe this is HOT on my list to read right now. I'm so glad that you enjoyed this book, and I'm also actually glad to hear the romance takes a backseat, too. I love me some LoVe, but I love a good V. Mars mystery, too, so this sounds like the perfect mix! Must read! Lovely review.
ReplyDeleteWoo!! That's great to hear, I hope you can get to it soon! And I hope you can get your hands on the audiobook because it's brilliant. And yeah, as much as I love LoVe, I think it would have done the story a disservice had that become the primary focus.
DeleteAWESOME! I saw this book on Goodreads but there weren't many reviews so I didn't know what to think. ALTHOUGH, your review convinced me. Except, truth be told, I didn't see the TV show. So maybe I should start there? :P
ReplyDeleteOh yes YES! You absolutely must start there or else you might end up confused, as well as miss out on a whole lot of stuff. Then movie, then this book. Enjoy!
DeleteSounds fun!! I admit I only ever saw one episode of Veronica Mars and didn't understand what was going on, but this sounds very interesting : D
ReplyDeleteHeh, was it an episode in the middle of a season? I don't know, I would definitely start with the pilot and work your way up from there!
DeleteI'm not reading the full review because this is on my bookshelf waiting (waitingwaiting) to be read and I don't want to know more than I already do about it, but I'm so happy it seems like this wasn't a disappointing read (four stars and you say it stays true to the tv series)! I am going to have to push it up on my reads shelf.
ReplyDeleteOoh, that's exciting!! I do hope you can get to it soon because I think you'll love it if you are a fan of the tv series. And now I can't wait to read your thoughts!!
DeleteI've only watched Veronica Mars: The Movie, but I'm glad you enjoyed the book, especially since you're such a huge fan! And it's so cool that the audiobook is narrated by Kristen Bell! Seriously though, that title is hilarious XD
ReplyDeleteHeh, yeah it's a funny title and an interesting mystery to base around it. You should def watch the tv show though if all you have watched is the movie!
DeleteI'm with you. I was heartbroken and then pleasantly surprised and pleased.
ReplyDeleteIt's a new age! And I love that this wasn't the end for the show and for all its fans :)
DeleteI need to watch this show pronto since it has such a huge fan base! I'm glad you enjoyed this book, and hopefully I'll get to check it out after watching the show. :D Great review, Aylee!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Courtney! hope you can get to it soon.
DeleteI agree this was so much fun for my inner Marshmallow. I was happy to have the focus on Veronica and Keith and a mystery, though I did wish there was a little more Logan time. I am only human :D Can't wait to see the web series! Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteha, yeah i do hope we get to see a wee bit more Logan in the next book!!
DeleteI'm...not sure how I feel about this webseries. Excited, of course. But not sure I'll love it in the same way since Veronica isn't the focus. But I will still watch and hope for the best!
ReplyDeleteBut, anyway, I'm so glad you enjoyed this one so much! I agree that there was a lot to love in the story (and I really, really need to find a way outside my computer to listen to audiobooks before the next book in this series releases). So glad this lived up to your expectations!
It's true, but I'll be excited to see the other cast members make appearances in the web series as well! And I'll take what I can get when it comes to Veronica Mars. And yes, I hope you will be able to listen to the audiobook for next time because it's great!!
DeleteI wanted to listen to the audiobook, but my library didn't have it so I just read it the old fashioned way. I was surprised that the character's voices came through so clearly even though I was only reading it. It wasn't as good as an actual episode, but I'll take what I can get.
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to the next book so I can get some more VMars. I hope they continue this series for a long time. I'm not usually a mystery fan, but this book was really good and I need a little variety every now and then.
Yeah, I figured that it actually wouldn't be that hard to bring out the characters voices! Advantage of it being a tv series first, I guess. I really hope they continue this series for a long time as well!
DeleteI'm excited for the new webseries. I would like to have more Logan in the second book. The mystery for it sounds really interesting. I had a hard time deciding on whether I wanted to listen to the audiobook or read the physical copy. I bought the book, but I think I'd like the audiobook too.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see more Logan in the second book, as well, as much as I was happy that he was out of the picture for the most part in this one. I'd definitely recommend the audio!
DeleteThis sounds wonderful! I definitely need to check out the series, first of all, but it's so much fun that they're doing movies tie-ins, book series and even web-series! Sometimes you have to wonder what the hell t.v. producers are thinking when they go and cancel shows! I'm glad you enjoyed this one anyway, since it was the first one, I can see the series pulling you in as new volumes continue to be released :D Thanks for the lovely review ^^
ReplyDeleteYeah!! I really think you'd love this series so I definitely recommend it! It's truly a gem.
DeleteI have never watched this TV series, but boy! You have me interested with your five stars rating and the fact that the book stays true to the TV series. Awesome review, Aylee!
ReplyDeleteSarika @ The Readdicts
Woohoo, I'm glad I got you interested!
DeleteI've never watched the TV series so I haven't bothered checking this one out but I know fans of Veronica Mars have really enjoyed this one, especially the audiobook version. I can't believe how popular this series remains even though it was cancelled years ago. And yeah I hear you about mindless TV shows; none of the fall TV shows premiering this year look very good.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I guess it just is one of the cult shows that have a loyal following even if it wasn't a huge fan base and as a result, was cancelled before its time. It's unlike most shows out there and so much better, which is why it was so sad!
DeleteI've never seen Veronica Mars Aylee! *hangs head in shame* But I do love Kristen Bell, so I think I would be a fan of the show, the movie and the audiobook. She just has a genuineness about her that I really like. Glad to know this was a winner for you!
ReplyDeleteAww, that's okay Jenny - it's not too late to catch up! And I really do think you'll love the tv series!
DeleteSuch a tragedy, that this show was cancelled...but hey, at least we're getting a movie and now some books out of it.
ReplyDeleteAwesome review! I read (and enjoyed) the Kindle version, but I'm trying to get my hands on the audiobook since everyone says it's so much better that way!
Yeah, it's hard to complain. I'll take what I can get! I'm sure it's not WAY better, but it does add a little something extra :D
DeleteI am not sure now is the moment to say I have never heard of the TV series, but it does sound like one I would have like, but probably a bit too old for me if I am honest. This sounds like a great book though, so I might have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteOhh I doubt it's too old for you! The series starts when Veronica is a teenager and even as an older adult now, she is very relatable.
Delete