Release Date - January 20, 2015
Publisher Website - Random House
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 288 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received in exchange for an honest review**
Here is the Goodreads synopsis
In the second book in the New York Times bestselling mystery series, Veronica Mars is back with a case that will expose the hidden workings of one of Neptune’s most murderous locations.Neptune's dark underside proves to be even creepier in this continuation of the Veronica Mars series. A novel that offers up clever ties to the TV series and movie, and a classic Veronica Mars mystery that brings it back to the basics.
The Neptune Grand has always been the seaside town’s ritziest hotel, despite the shady dealings and high-profile scandals that seem to follow its elite guests. When a woman claims that she was brutally assaulted in one of its rooms and left for dead by a staff member, the owners know that they have a potential powder keg on their hands. They turn to Veronica to disprove—or prove—the woman's story.
The case is a complicated mix of hard facts, mysterious occurrences, and uncooperative witnesses. The hotel refuses to turn over its reservation list and the victim won’t divulge who she was meeting that night. Add in the facts that the attack happened months ago, the victim’s memory is fuzzy, and there are holes in the hotel’s surveillance system, and Veronica has a convoluted mess on her hands. As she works to fill in the missing pieces, it becomes clear that someone is lying—but who? And why?
This is a fast paced read. It's the type of read that would give you a sunburn at the beach. You'll be hooked into the story and the writing is so effortlessly readable that you'll fly through the pages. The writing, most importantly, fits the tone of the brand. It captures the same vibe as it's predecessors and that makes the transition from show to book smooth and streamlined. It really does feel like a continuation of the same series and not a revamping.
The main mystery, surprisingly, isn't the driving force of the novel. Veronica has plenty going on outside the case that is tantalizingly teased in the synopsis. The mystery does, however, serve as the perfect back drop for this chapter in Veronica's story. The formula that everyone loved from the TV show is there. The spark, and chemistry between the characters is there. The witty banter and trademark Veronica sass is there. That is the focus this time around. There are plenty of mystery novels out there, but it's these particular characters that keep us coming back and the authors realize that.
Our connection to this world is because we care about these characters. We're already invested. These novels have offered a sense of nostalgia in the same manner that the movie did. The entire thing is a love letter to the fans who have been there from the beginning. As a result, it is assumed you know these characters and their quirks. It is filled with inside jokes and references that only Marshmallows would get. This element, while amazing for fans, limits the potential for attracting new fans to the show and book series. The longevity of the series depends on that connection to the characters and this novel plays into that perfectly. There are plenty of cameos and some beloved characters make appearances. In fact, my favourite male character is in this plenty (and it's not Logan!). There are even some surprising connections revealed, and a nice nod to the past. It all just adds another layer to these characters we already love.
Anything else I say would be a spoiler, and unraveling the mystery is part of the fun of being in Veronica Mars' world. Enjoy the twists, and turns and let the characters charm you. It really does have everything you loved about the show and more.
Veronica Mars fans will once again dive in ravenously and be delightfully rewarded. There is plenty of LoVe goodness to satisfy the most die hard shippers (angst and all), and the mystery ties in perfectly with the seediness that is Neptune. Those not already well versed in the world of Veronica would certainly find themselves lost, but this is one for the fans anyways.
