Veronica Mars

By: Rob Thomas, Jennifer Graham

Narrated by: Kristen Bell

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

The first book in an original mystery series featuring 28-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.

©2014 Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham (P)2014 Random House Audio

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)

Mars Attacks, succeeds!

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

I highly recommend this to any Veronica Mars fan who has finished the television series and has seen the recently released movie. The audiobook picks up a few short weeks after the movie has ended and contains spoilers from the flick. While the audiobook does a great job of reminding Marshmallow's of Veronica's history in Neptune, the throwback explanations may be overwhelming to a newcomer. This is not just a throwaway novella to pass on, there are some major developments in Veronica's life that all fans will want to know about!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Veronica Mars is all grown up now but she's still the same tough as nails yet vulnerable character we fell in love with from her days at Neptune High. Veronica's amusing observations and quick wit gives the case she is working on substance. You can't help but root for our snarky heroine to stick it to the bad guys.

Which character – as performed by Kristen Bell – was your favorite?

Kristen Bell's superb narration skills shine as she brings to life the well loved cast of characters featured in the Veronica Mars series. Bell's interpretation of her hacker friend Mac hilariously captures Tina Majorino's style who played Mac in the series.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Veronica's razor-sharp insight is both amusing and clever as she gives it all to solving her client's cases. That same quick-wit also protects a guarded and vulnerable disposition that makes Veronica Mars both approachable and human. When her heart breaks, so does the listener's.

Any additional comments?

If we never get another Veronica Mars television episode or full-length film, I will be perfectly content with the series continuing in book form, especially if Kristen Bell is narrating. I can't wait for the next installment of Veronica Mars in audiobook format!

22 of 22 people found this review helpful

It's like watching a new episode !

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

If you are a fan of Veronica Mars and you saw the movie, this audiobook is for you !

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

She brings with her the whole character of Veronica Mars and also a great voice performance with the other characters.. it's just like there are several and unique other voices but then you realize it's still hers.

13 of 13 people found this review helpful

A Must listen for Veronica Mars fans

I feel this is a must read/listen for Veronica Mars fans. I will say if you are going to listen to the audio don’t expect professional narration but expect Veronica to tell you the story, which I for one felt was only right. I think I would have had a hard time with anyone else reading Veronica than Veronica herself. I thought she did a good job at the narration and no one else could capture her little quirks of cadence and snark that the TV Veronica did so well and it made it easier for me to see the scenes in my head. I thought she had Mac’s voice down pretty good but at times it wasn’t consistent and I wish she had done a little more with Wallace & Keith’s voices, but overall I was very happy with how this was narrated and I am glad Kristen Bell herself did the narration as I said I can’t imagine hearing anyone imitating Kristin’s take on Veronica.

This was a good story that started just weeks after the events of the Veronica Mars movie. I enjoyed the mystery and would have never guessed the outcome. Plus the added bonus of having these characters back in my life, it was funny I kept thinking where is Dick Casablancas, then tada there he was. Also I love Keith and every scene he is in even in the book he brings happy goodness with him, the last few scenes had my heart racing and soaring and all I could think was I love you Keith Mars! There are a few family surprises in this one as well *No Spoilers* that will tug at your heartstrings.

I was delighted that this story was so good it’s a great mystery that had lots of twists and turns along the way and kept me guessing all the way to the end and surprised me with the outcome.

As I said this is a must read for fans of Veronica Mars if we can’t have her on out TV screen at least we have the books to get us through





***Movie Spoiler*** Please stop here if you have not watched the movie
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I still have a hard time picturing Logan in the Navy and I wish there had been more than just a couple Skype conversations with him. Hopefully he will be back from sea in the next book. And yes there better be a next book.


4 ½ Stars

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

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.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Better than most...

What made the experience of listening to Veronica Mars the most enjoyable?

I wasn't sure what to expect. I love mysteries and am a big fan of Veronica Mars. However, I'm not such a big fan that I could listen to a poorly written book. Although I enjoyed the movie, I didn't LOVE it the way lots of people did, and I was hesitant to "drink the Veronica Mars Flavor-Ade."

That said, I am very happy with this purchase. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. The mysteries were engaging, the characters are well-defined, and I found myself liking this more than several of the highly recommended series which I've read in the past months. I'm pretty quick to dismiss books based on TV shows, but this was a legitimately fun and likable.

What did you like best about this story?

I continue to enjoy the character of Veronica and the dynamics of her complicated relationships with her friends and family.

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

Kristen Bell just adds that sense of authenticity. It's like you're really listening to Veronica recount a case.

12 of 13 people found this review helpful

Awesome

Where does Veronica Mars rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This has been one of the better books that I have listened to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kristen Bell did a great job of narrating for her character, Veronica, as well as all the other characters.

Any additional comments?

I listened to this book right after I saw the movie and I have to say, it felt just like watching an episode of the show or the movie. It was really fun. Hope there are more.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

YAY!

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

Yes, if you loved Veronica Mars then this is a great listen. I loved hearing more from Veronica and her story. I hope there are more!

Any additional comments?

Kristen Bell is an awesome narrator!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Even better than the movie!

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

Yes! Hands down better, with Kristen Bell as the narrator....it was perfect.

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

Yes! Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, it took a different turn.

Which character – as performed by Kristen Bell – was your favorite?

Veronica, of course! With Keith Mars, following a close second.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Neptune, Ca: The seediest costal town in America!

Any additional comments?

I have to say that I enjoyed this book far more than the movie. I know I'll catch some flack for it, but it's just how I feel. I felt this was more in line with the old VM we all feel in love with, but not without introducing us to the more mature version. Where the movie felt too rushed and choppy at times, this book makes up for all of that and then some. I loved being able to have Veronica, Wallace and Mac working together again. It just felt right! This book made me very happy and to have Kristen Bell narrate, was just the icing on the cake. A must listen to all VM fans!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Strong on mystery but lacking in characters

Would you listen to Veronica Mars again? Why?

I'm a huge Veronica Mars fan, so given that I would most likely listen to it, again.

What other book might you compare Veronica Mars to and why?

All I can think of it's a new age Stephanie Plum. I've only listened to the first couple of that series, so far.

Which scene was your favorite?

Any scene with her and her dad. Even in the book there is some good stuff, there.

Any additional comments?

As I said, I'm a huge fan and I loved that Kristen Bell did the narration. She did an excellent job. The story itself was a quality mystery. It kept me interested til the end. My only concern is that the other major players like Mac, Wallace, Logan, and to a degree even Kieth, were only minor characters. I think the new sheriff had more time in this book than most of them did. One of the best things about the VM series were those character interactions, which were too few and far between. That's the only reason this was rated a 4 and not a 5. Hopefully the next one can relax and have some character fun.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I So Missed Veronica Mars

What did you love best about Veronica Mars?

This book follows the recently released movie, even though I think someone could still catch on without having watched the movie. I loved the television series and this gives me more of what I loved. Great story by the same person that penned the TV series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Veronica Mars. Well, because it was read by Kristen a.k.a. Veronica Mars. Witty banter and smart crime solving!

Which scene was your favorite?

Hard to answer without giving too much away, so I will say the last 1/4 of the book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Veronica and her dad near the end of the book.

Any additional comments?

Wanted more Logan. Not sure I like Rob's idea to make him a career military man and detach him from the story. That was a bummer. Veronica is key, but her banter and relationship with Logan is part of the greatness of series. Do better next book, Rob!!!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful