Tag Archives: Veronica Mars
Bedtime Stories: Cheeky Mystery for Adults
Post by Mark T. Locker.
Mister Kiss and Tell by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham.
First, Rob Thomas brought us Veronica Mars, the clever, driven high school detective. It was clever, intriguing, thought-provoking and funny. We were all sad when it ended too soon.
Then, a million die-hard fans heeded the call of Rob Thomas and funded what would be the biggest Kickstarter to date: Veronica Mars: the movie.
Finally, just for kicks, Rob Thomas collaborated with Jennifer Graham to write Veronica Mars novels. The second of these books, Mister Kiss and Tell, was published last year. If you have ever watched the show, it’s worth the time to pick up the books. The first one is even read by Ms. Mars herself, Kristen Bell. It’s practically like another episode of the show!
A young woman is attacked at The Neptune Grand, the finest hotel in Neptune, California. Veronica is hired to clear the hotel of wrongdoing. But the more she digs, she becomes invested in helping the victim even if she loses money in the process.
Mr. Kiss and Tell is gritty and dark. Peppered with the characteristic Veronica Mars wit, it is like an episode of the show but darker and with “adult” language. The story is not for the faint of heart. The author pulls no punches in reminding us of the darker side of humanity. Happily, the lighter side shines through as well. Lots of witty dialogue and a cute puppy help to balance out the tone of the story. Side plots involving a corrupt sheriff’s office and another about Veronica’s boyfriend Logan don’t add a lot to the story but they do keep the story from being monotonous. If you liked the show, you should definitely read the books; it’s basically bonus episodes of the show!
Movies in Bed: Veronica Mars
Post by Mark T. Locker.
You may or may not have heard of Veronica Mars. It was a teen detective drama that aired on CW for three seasons. It was way better than it sounds and when it was canceled there were a number of sad but vocal fans. You are more likely to have heard about its triumphant return, in a very 21st-century way. Creator Rob Thomas wanted to make a Veronica Mars movie. Warner Brothers agreed to release it but would not fund it. So Rob Thomas turned to his fans and launched the most successful Kickstarter campaign ever, raising nearly $6 million. We got our movie, and exclusive T-shirts, and WB released it. History is made.
Veronica Mars was a spunky high school student, daughter of Keith Mars, former sheriff and current private eye. She was pretty good as a detective herself, kind of the Encyclopedia Brown of modern southern California preppy culture. The movie opens with her being offered a job at a prestigious law firm. But when she sees that dreamy bad-boy and ex-boyfriend (ex to the chagrin of many) Logan Echolls is embroiled in a murder investigation, Veronica heads home to Neptune to try and help out. It’s basically a long version of the TV show, with a few winks to the rabid fans (known collectively as “Marshmallows”) and a few painfully obvious product placements. If you haven’t watched the show, you should watch the show. The movie, I’ve heard, is much better with context. It’s available to buy from lots of different online sources.
