Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:
Synopsis for The Scarlet Liter (from Goodreads):
It’s Halloween in Neptune, CA, someone has played a nasty trick on one of Veronica Mars’ friends, and she doesn’t have a lot of friends to spare. Unfairly wrought as the most hated person in the history of Neptune High, and perhaps smarting a bit from a recent breakup, now it’s up to the teen sleuth to take the case – the corrupt and lazy Sheriff’s Department refuses to look into the attackers. Veronica needs to find who did it, and get back what they stole, before time runs out. She may also make a few wise cracks and wreak vengeance upon some deserving parties along the way. The clock is ticking.
This cross-genre novella is intended for anyone who enjoys a witty modern neo-noir. Both newcomers to the Veronica Mars universe and devout marshmallows can appreciate this.
This novella takes place during season 1 between Episodes 1.05 You Think You Know Somebody and 1.06 Return of the Kane, around late October 2004.
Series: Veronica Mars – The TV Series (Kindle Worlds)
Author: Merrick Green
# of Books: 3 (Full titles here)
Book Order: Connected via Chronological Events
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Fan Fiction, Mystery
Heat Rating: cool
Point of View: Third Person, Multiple
Publication Dates: April 2018 – May 2018
Source & Format: Author–eARC | Thank you Merrick Green!
Disclaimer: I stopped reading The Scarlet Liter (Book #1) at 48% (Start of Chapter 8). Find out why below…
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
I’ve never read true fan fiction before so I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I love Veronica Mars so this seemed like a good one to start with in the world of Kindle Worlds. I loved the TV series and constantly rewatch the movie so I’m a big marshmellow fan. The two novels written by the series creator are an absolute treat and so I was eager to see what Merrick Green could do with these mini stories set between episodes of the classic TV show.
What I Liked:
–The Weaving of the Veronica Mars World–
Merrick Green has done a great job bringing the Veronica Mars atmosphere to life in this instalment. The seamless integration of characters and references to the original series is impressive. It’s been a long time since I watched the episodes the first story (The Scarlet Liter) takes place between but the references to various key events brought me back in no time.
What I Didn’t Like:
–Slightly Off Dialogue–
I think some of the dialogue was a little off at times (especially when I can compare it to the full Veronica Mars novels written by the series creator himself) but it had the same spirit and was improving as the story progressed so it was something I eventually warmed up too.
Will I Finish It?
I truly only stopped reading this book because fan fiction just isn’t for me. While the mystery here is definitely plausible in the marshmallow universe, for me as a fan, I’ve moved on from that era of Veronica’s life and story. I just wasn’t as invested in the outcome as I wanted to be and so I stopped reading.
Series Rating: DNF
I know that fans of Veronica Mars, who can’t get enough of her, will love these mini stories set between episodes of the television series.
Read if You Like: fan fiction, Veronica Mars, mini mystery stories
Avoid if You: dislike fan fiction
- The Thosand-Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas & Jennifer Graham (Veronica Mars Series #1)
- Death by Didgeridoo by Barbara Venkataraman (Jamie Quinn Mystery Series #1)
