Veronica Mars: The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line

The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line

By: Rob Thomas, Jennifer Graham

Narrated by: Kristen Bell

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.

Critic reviews

Praise for the television series Veronica Mars

A Time, Entertainment Weekly, and Salon Best Show of the Year

“Nancy Drew meets Philip Marlowe, and the result is pure nitro.” —Stephen King

"Best. Show. Ever. Seriously, I've never gotten more wrapped up in a show I wasn't making, and maybe even more than those. . . . These guys know what they're doing on a level that intimidates me. It's the Harry Potter of shows." —Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy and writer/director of Marvel's The Avengers

"Classic California film noir. . . . Raymond Chandler in its writing." —The Seattle Times

“Sharp wits, steely nerves, and a wicked sense of humor. . . . This is one TV case we don’t want to see closed.”—USA Today

“It’s what lies deeper that not only makes the show remarkable but what defines it. Mysteries are its central metaphor; Veronica solves little puzzles because she, like all of us, cannot unravel the bigger ones. . . . Filled with deft, glorious wit.” —Entertainment Weekly

Fans will enjoy this addition to the series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, most of my friends love a good, complex heroine and are fans of the Veronica Mars TV show. The book fits nicely in with that series, Veronica remains complex and easy to empathize with, and its a good story.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, it's pleasantly twisty, though I did guess the twists before they were unveiled.

What does Kristen Bell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Kristen is the definitive voice of Veronica Mars, anyone else reading the part wouldn't ring true. She does a good job here, but audiobook narrating is a tricky skill, and I'm not convinced she's as talented at this as some of the other full-time profession Audiobook readers that Audible offers.

Any additional comments?

Is it the great American novel? no. It is a fun mystery? yes. If you enjoy a light mystery or enjoyed the tv series, or just enjoy a female protagonist who's not an idiot? I think this will be a win for you. But it may miss the mark if you enjoy how books can delve into the technical details of cases in a way that tv shows don't have quite enough time for.

Better than Hulu's Season 4

This book saved my long-time love affair with Veronica Mars after being horribly disappointed with Hulu's new season 4. I didn't know about Rob Thomas' two Mars books and now I realize that this one and the next one should really be read after watching season 1-3 and the film, but before season 4 if you want the proper chronology of the story.

Love Love Love this book!!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Veronica Mars to be better than the print version?

I have not read the printed version yet but I like that Kristen is the narrator. It was perfect.

What did you like best about this story?

That it picked up where the movie left off...I wish they would bring the show.

What does Kristen Bell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brought the smart & kick-butt style of Veronica Mars

Still and always enjoyable and empowering

Veronica gives us so much to admire. We can identify and sympathize with her imperfect life at the same time.
I hope my daughter enjoys watching and listening to these stories as much as I do and did.

If you're a Veronica Mars fan, a must-listen!

Fantastic! I was so excited that there was going to be a book series to continue on with the Veronica Mars story, but also apprehensive that it would be terrible. I needn't have worried, because The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line definitely exceeded my expectations. Plus, the narration by Kristin Bell adds so much to the story. She even picks up the inflections from the actors who play the other characters in the TV series and movie. If you're a Veronica Mars fan I think you'll love it, but even if you never watched the show, I think this would stand on it's own as a modern noir-influenced detective series.