I just finished TYOLD after reading PRECIPITATION and I have to admit while I appreciate your improvement in style in the latter one I really prefer your first novel. It's just much more in line with the style of the series, most of the series' character are back and the characters are a little bit more normal. I like how you stayed true to the concept of the series and included these little cases in the whole story ark. I guess I could have lived without Mike, he just seems unnecessary to the story.
What seems strange to me are the sporadic changes in perspective, I had prefered a consistent authorial perspective.
But that's just details, in general the novel is a fascinating, gripping story with witty dialogues, likable Characters and the patented great Veronica Mars-feeling of the tv-series. I am really looking forward to reading the sequel.