Veronica Mars: The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line

By: Rob Thomas, Jennifer Graham

Narrated by: Kristen Bell

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

From Rob Thomas, the creator of the television series and movie phenomenon Veronica Mars, comes the first audiobook 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 weeklong rave. When a girl disappears from a party, Veronica is called in to investigate. But this is no simple missing person 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 moment. 

©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)

How did I not know about this

I had just rewatched the series, and I was wondering did they ever do any book. Lo and behold not only did they do a book but with Kristen Bell as the narrator. If you have ever been a fan give this one a listen just to close the series for you.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

Whaaaaaaat?! OH YEAH!!!

Ummm, so good! Loved it, miss it, going to start the next one....then when that's over I'm going to start this one over again.
Hope you enjoy...
You're welcome 😊

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.

Missed opportunity

You had Veronica Mars herself, Kristen Bell, in the studio, so why was this book read in third person? This could've easily been a first person crime drama with Kristen as Veronica telling us one of her case files from Neptune's archive. Missed opportunity.

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!