Original Publication Year: 2014
Genre(s): Mystery
Series: Veronica Mars #1
Awards: None
Format: Paperback
Narrated by: NA
This is the first in a series of novels based on the
short-lived but very awesome TV show Veronica Mars created by Rob Thomas. If you are unaware, the show which aired from
2004-2007 focused on a teenaged sleuth Veronica Mars, in a SoCal town (Neptune)
sharply divided along economic lines. While
it might sound a little silly, it was actually smart, sharply witty and had
that rare quality of making you laugh one minute and be genuinely moved the
next. The franchise saw a revival in
2014 with a new movie funded by Kickstarter and the start of this series of
mystery novels. The novel begins a few
months after the movie ends - Veronica
is now in her late twenties and has a law degree but she gets sucked back into
the PI business in her home town and she has decided to stay sucked in.
With that background, the framework of this story is the
disappearance of a couple of teenaged girls during spring break in Neptune. Veronica is hired by the Neptune Chamber of
Commerce to find the girls because kidnappings are bad for business and the
town Sheriff? Is incompetent and
corrupt. Veronica’s investigation, with
the help of her best friends Wallace and Mac will lead her into the shady world
of Mexican Drug Cartels, reunite her with her estranged alcoholic mother Leanne
and as always expose the shady underbelly of Neptune.
For fans of the show and the Veronica Mars universe, I think
you will in no way be disappointed. The
feel of the book, the voice of the characters, the humor, the relationships -
they are all there intact and pretty near perfectly reproduced. It feels like a quality Veronica Mars episode
in book form. The book is authored by
Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham and I’d be interested to know what the roles
were. Did they actually co-author? Did Jennifer Graham write and Rob Thomas
approve? It doesn’t really matter, I
suppose. because however it was done it is spot on.
For folks who know nothing about the show and are just
looking for a good mystery, I think you will also be entertained. The case is convoluted and has plenty of
twists and turns that kept me guessing.
Veronica is an engaging character whether you’ve met her before or not
and I think the book on its own provides plenty of insight into her complicated
relationships. It’s these relationships
and the character of Neptune itself that provides the solid mystery storyline
with some greater interest. The book
also moves at a snappy pace and was a complete page turner for me.
Final Verdict: A
nourish mystery that will satisfy all and completely captures the charm and
excellence of the TV show it is based on.
4 out of 5 Stars. ✪✪✪✪
Tomorrow I'll post my review of Mr. Kiss and Tell the second in the Veronica Mars series which is being release on Tuesday January 20th!
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