Book Review: The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line

The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line (Veronica Mars #1)

By: Rob Thomas & Jennifer Graham

Published By: Vintage

Publication Date: March 2014

Page Count: 324

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: Purchased by Reviewer

Audience: Adult - Crime/Thriller

I will preface this review by saying that I have only recently discovered Veronica Mars. It really wasn't a thing in the UK. But thanks to some friends recommendations, I am not a definite fan! I watched all the series and the movie in a startlingly short space of time, and then bought The Thousand Dollar Tan Line to continue my streak! 

The Thousand Dollar Tan Line reads just like an episode of Veronica Mars, which is unsurprising as its written by her creator, Rob Thomas. It would make a great storyline for another episode of the drama. Unfortunately, a story which would be engaging in a televised hour isn't so gripping when you have to go at reading speed. It took a while to get into. Ultimately I did enjoy it, but this isn't a read which flew by. 

I enjoyed getting into Veronica's head a little... it was a bit strange to see what she was thinking but it added extra snark. I was a little disappointed by the lack of Logan Echolls. I think I was Team Logan after one and a half episodes of the TV series, and I loved his lost/wounded look. By the time Veronica had cleared his name in the movie, I was hoping they would finally be happy together. Sadly he really didn't feature in The Thousand Dollar Tan Line at all. He spent the entire time at sea on a mission, and Veronica made do with the odd, very short, Skype chat with him - which he sometimes missed. 

Overall, I'd say that fans of Veronica Mars will enjoy reading The Thousand Dollar Tan Line. It was a good mystery, which she solved with help from Mac, Wallace and her Dad. Nothing particularly ground-breaking happened, but it was good to keep the series going and I'll look forward to the next book in the series.

Summary:

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.