{Audiobook} Review: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas

Title: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line
Author: Rob Thomas & Jennifer Graham
Narrator(s): Kristen Bell
Series: Veronica Mars, book #1
Length: 8 hrs 42 mins
Publisher: Random House Audio
Publication Date: March 25, 2014
Source: audio borrowed from library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

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.

First, if you have not seen the awesome full-length Veronica Mars movie, I recommend doing so before reading this book. The movie picks up nine years after the end of the show, or ya know, Veronica's first year of college. The book picks up shortly after the end of the movie. And though the book does a slight recap, you'll benefit more if you watch/read in the proper order.

Second, this audiobook was amazing. Not only because it was narrated by Veronica Mars herself -- also known as the fantastic Kristen Bell -- but because it reads like an episode of the show. I mean, I'm sure it helps that the voice-overs that I'm used to in the show were narrated by the woman who plays the role, but I could perfectly envision each character as they made an appearance in the story. And I loved them all as much as I ever did, even that jerktastic Dick Casablancas.

I just love the adult Veronica and that even though she's grown up, she's still the same mixed up girl she was. She's still questioning her choices and her romantic entanglements, but even those have a darker edge to them now. The movie and this book together helped to make the nine years since the show's demise feel legitimate, like nothing and everything has changed.

The mystery is just as twisty as you've come to expect from VM, too. You always think you have the perp pegged, and then BAM, Veronica blows all of your theories out of the water with her shrewd sleuthing techniques. There are surprises, and then there are SURPRISES. I honestly can't imagine that fans of the show will be disappointed in this most recent installment in the Veronica Mars world. But if you have the opportunity, I highly recommend you go the audiobook route. It's just as phenomenal as watching an episode.

My only complaint, besides being on the wait list at the library for weeks for this title?

NOT ENOUGH LOGAN.

GIF it to me straight:

About the author:

Born in Sunnyside, WA. Previous credits include the Veronica Mars television show, which ran for three seasons, and Rats Saw God. Forthcoming from the author besides The Thousand Dollar Tan Line is the second book in the new Veronica Mars series, Mr. Kiss and Tell, due out October 28, 2014

Find Rob:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads