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The Coldest Case: A Black Book Audio Drama  By  cover art

The Coldest Case: A Black Book Audio Drama

By: James Patterson,Aaron Tracy,Ryan Silbert
Narrated by: Aaron Paul,Krysten Ritter,Nathalie Emmanuel,Beau Bridges,full cast
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Publisher's Summary

Please note: This audio drama is for mature audiences only. It contains strong language, violence, and sexual content. Discretion is advised. 

James Patterson's Detective Billy Harney is back, this time investigating murders in a notorious Chicago drug ring, which will lead him, his sister, and his new partner through a dangerous web of corrupt politicians, vengeful billionaires, and violent dark web conspiracies.

In The Coldest Case: A Black Book Audio Drama, homicide detective Billy Harney sends his new partner, Kate, deep undercover in a notorious Chicago drug ring. When several members of the ring soon turn up dead, Billy abruptly pulls Kate out, blowing her cover. Kate’s informant inside the gang quickly disappears. As does the ring’s black book.... 

When Billy can’t find the informant, he wonders if Kate is secretly harboring her, since the two grew close during Kate's weeks undercover. As Billy and Kate investigate the ring’s murders, they’ll be pulled into a dangerous web of corrupt politicians, vengeful billionaires, drugged pro-athletes, and violent, dark web conspiracies, all in search of the missing black book. 

©2020 James Patterson, Friendly Heights, Inc., and Origin Story Entertainment, LLC (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

Listen to a Sneak Peak of The Coldest Case: A Black Book Audio Drama

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  • The Coldest Case: A Black Book Audio Drama
  • Listen closely. Trust no one. And hold on tight.

Meet the Cast of The Coldest Case: A Black Book Audio Drama

Meet the Creators

James Patterson is the world’s bestselling author and most trusted storyteller. He has created many enduring fictional characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Michael Bennett, Maximum Ride, Middle School, and I Funny. Among his notable literary collaborations are The President Is Missing, with President Bill Clinton, and the Max Einstein series, produced in partnership with the Albert Einstein Estate. Patterson’s writing career is characterized by a single mission: to prove that there is no such thing as a person who "doesn’t like to read", only people who haven’t found the right book. He’s given over three million books to schoolkids and the military, donated more than seventy million dollars to support education, and endowed over five thousand college scholarships for teachers. For his prodigious imagination and championship of literacy in America, Patterson was awarded the 2019 National Humanities Medal. The National Book Foundation presented him with the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community, and he is also the recipient of an Edgar Award and nine Emmy Awards. He lives in Florida with his family.

Meet the Creators

Ryan Silbert is a New York Times best-selling writer and producer of the Academy Award-winning God of Love and Spike Lee’s The Girl Is in Trouble, and the founder of Origin Story Entertainment. Silbert co-created the best-selling series Stan Lee’s Alliances: A Trick of Light, with Audible Studios featuring Yara Shahidi and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. An expansion of the Alliances universe is set for release in 2021. Silbert is in development on a film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon with Village Roadshow, Roy Lee’s Vertigo Entertainment, and Sanibel Films with Lynne Ramsay set as the director.

Meet the Creators

Aaron Tracy is a writer and producer, whose credits include Law & Order: SVU, among others. He’s the creator and executive producer of Sequestered, a serialized thriller that ran on Sony’s Crackle Network, as well as The Tap, for USA Network, which Aaron produced alongside one of his heroes, Rob Reiner. Aaron was recently commissioned by Lifetime to write and executive produce a four-hour limited series set in 1960s Hollywood, as well as by Anonymous Content to adapt the Tennessee Williams biography, Mad Pilgrimage of the Flesh. In audio, Aaron is the creator of several upcoming scripted dramas, with producing partners including Shonda Rhimes, Kelly Ripa, Steve Nash, and James Patterson. Aaron is on faculty at Yale University, where he teaches in the English Department, and hosts the podcast To Live & Dialogue in LA featuring conversations with fellow screenwriters.

The Coldest Case: A Black Book Drama is an Audible Original, produced by Broadway Video.
Created and written by James Patterson, Aaron Tracy, and Ryan Silbert.
Executive Producers: Bill Robinson for James Patterson Entertainment, Stacy Creamer and Ian Stearns for Audible, and Britta von Schoeler for Broadway Video.
Directed by Matt Luem.
Produced by Brian Parrish for Broadway Video.
Lead Casting by Lisa Hintelmann and Chelsea Adams for Audible.
Casting by Susanne Scheel.
Sound designed, mixed and edited by Sound and Fission.
Sound engineering by Dave Smith @ Audio Alchemy, Keefe Kaupanger-Swacker @ Bell Sound Studios, and Dan Brennan @ Soundtrack NY.
Music and score composed and produced by Giancarlo Vulcano.
Script Supervision by Shannon Stanley.
Project Management by Sandy Melara for Broadway Video.
Starring: /n/nAARON PAUL/n/nKRYSTEN RITTER/n/nNATHALIE EMMANUEL
Featuring:
ALEXIS BLEDEL
BEAU BRIDGES
KEVIN DUNN
MARK-PAUL GOSSELAAR
MICHAEL CRUZ KAYNE
KARAN SONI
Additional voice performances by:
OLIVIA BAPTISTA
WILL BLAGROVE
DONTE BONNER
MASHA BOROVIKOVA
DAVE CARL
ARI BEVERLY CARTER
GRACE CHOI
SCOTT COHEN
HOLTER GRAHM
MEREDITH HANDERHAN
PHOEBE HOLSTON
DANNY JOHNSON
DAVE T. KOENIG
EMILY KURODA
AARON LAPLANTE
PRISCILLA LOPEZ
SHAUN O'HAGAN
ELIZABETH PAIGE
MUSTO PELINKOVICCI
HARRY PRICHETT
DEBORAH RAYNE
ARTHUR ALONZO RICHARDSON
PJ SOSKO
ARTAN TELQIU
HANNAH TINKER
ZOE WINTERS
Executive in Charge for Audible: Najen Naylor
Special Thanks to Ali Bengochea, Anne-Marie Kabia, Dave Smith, Austin Breslow and Adam Granduciel.
Recorded at:
Bell Sound in Los Angeles
Soundtrack Studios in New York City
And in actor’s homes around the world.
© 2022 by The Broadway Video Group, LLC.
Sound recording © 2022 by The Broadway Video Group, LLC.

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Featured Article: The Best Full Cast Audiobooks and Podcasts of All Time


As any audiobook fan knows, the perfect narration can take a listen from good to great. Full cast ensembles in particular are the perfect choice for those times you really want to dive headfirst into a story. A cast of narrators, sometimes accompanied by music or sound effects, craft a unique and immersive listening experience. Unique performances let listeners intimately experience each character’s personality as the story progresses.

What listeners say about The Coldest Case: A Black Book Audio Drama

Average Customer Ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Rizzoli & Isles, minus Isles, and starring Frankie

And I thought book 1 in this series was good with Edoardo Ballerini narrating. I loved the all-star cast. It seems this cop procedural series will always feature a missing book, a Chicago cop family, and shady politics. With the scripted audio format, this felt just like an episode of Rizzoli & Isles, if it instead featured Rizzoli’s cop brother Frankie as the lead. Here we have cops (and twins) Billy and Patti hunting down a drug ledger. For a short book, there’s a surprisingly meaty side story involving Billy’s undercover partner. Plus, a hilarious use of techie Edgar, who I hope will continue with the series. And this was free in Audible Plus. Outstanding!

78 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Finished Perfectly

NON STOP!

I love the sounds effect, the recording is clear, the narration, the story, the action and suspense of Coldest Case!

This story is about the investigation of the notorious Chicago drug ring by Detective Billy Harney and his sister Patti.

However, there's a twist on the story specially with Billy's partner Kate and even his sister's fiancé. Omg! Intriguing!

Different experience with audiodrama from Audible. I hope everyone try this version.

58 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

so so story / experience

2.5 ... I'm not crazy about this format. like listening to a TV show. extra sound effects and nearly overlapping dialogue, at times are pretty distracting at times.

I much prefer a voice actor giving a book a new life, rather than listening to sfx.

the story was pretty boring and very predictable. just like they wanted to produce whatever comes out to see if it sticks.
I would not recommend this format nor the book.

57 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Unbelievable

This was so much fun! I wish it was way longer! It kind of reminded me of old radio shows. The suspense, narration , all of it made you feel like you were personally involved. I highly recommend listening!!!

55 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Audio Drama❤️

This is my second Audio drama complete with many sound affect and an entire staff of narrators. I did not finish my first one and decided never again. I had no idea who the players were and who was just killed. Six months later I softened and took the plunge with The Coldest Case. It was short and free. I was not disappointed! It was totally engaging and very well performed and written! Like watching TV without the visual. You are totally submerged in the experience. Highly recommend!

46 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Like the story, not the "drama"

Way too much noise for me. I liked the story, but overall found all the sound effects annoying.

42 people found this helpful

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Not so great

I love James Patterson but not this one. Mildly interesting but that’s all. Thank goodness it was free!

33 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Movie without the big screen

loved it! The cast was entertaining and the production put you in the middle of the action.

28 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Real Page Turner

Loved this book. I wanted to keep listening. Just enough suspense without being gorry. A must listen.

24 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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my 1st audio drama

I didn't know that audio drama was a thing but I really love this way of story telling. I'm hooked for sure!

22 people found this helpful

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 03-13-21

Amazing vocal performance

Amazing listen, great cast and interesting storyline. Enjoyed every minute of it. Aaron Paul does an outstanding job.

9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Lucia D
  • 10-26-21

Engrossing story and performance!

Stayed up late on a work night to finish all episodes - absolutely loved it. I quite ignorantly didn't realise any well-known actors were part of this until I was beginning the second episode and the penny finally dropped as I thought "Pinkman? Is that you??" haha. Aaron Paul isn't the only well-known voice in this mini series, and famous or not, the entire cast give great performances that really help draw you into the story. The addition of simple sound effects added to this as well, without coming off as a fully produced audio 'play'.
I don't think I need to say much about the plot - it's very James Patterson and if you like his work you'll really enjoy this! Fast paced and never boring; I wish there were hundreds more options like this on Audible.

8 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • TJF
  • 08-12-21

Audio Drama not Talking book

this is definitely a play or drama not a talking book. the way it has been done can make following the story difficult. the twist at the end was no surprise.
And the construct of having a family of cops all working together stretched plausibility.
and for UK tastes too much American cheese.

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • TechGeek
  • 04-22-21

Another great read from the master of suspense

Another plot twist, another shock that sends the investigation in a different direction. Another story that should be played out on the big screen. Brilliantly brought to life by a full cast.

4 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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  • Ms. G. Lovatt
  • 05-11-22

It was quick and unfulfilling

Not unlike my marriage.

I guessed the killer in the first chapter, the plot was lame in places and the whole thing wasn't very exciting.

2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Jacky
  • 11-20-21

Brilliant short cop story very engaging compelling

What a brilliant short story police adventure, wanted it to carry on fantastic twist at the end, so many narrator's spectacular

2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Amazon Customer
  • 11-02-21

Exciting and brilliant

Brilliant story, solid characters and very enjoyable from start to finish. Can’t wait for the sequel

1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Anonymous User
  • 10-19-21

It's Got Everything

it's got action, suspense (though not that intense), Clever twists, and good use of story Characters. I listened using some noise cancelling headphones to capture the moments imaginatively. overall its a good read.

1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Matt
  • 08-23-21

Enjoyable! Plot a bit far fetched

Voiceovers were well done. Storyline good and cane together nicely as expected of James P. But for me the plot twist was justa bit too far fetched.

1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • jking
  • 08-01-21

The coldest case

The cold coldest case was an excellent audio crime drama
I really hope they do another one because really enjoyed it and really audible crime drama I wish the did more of them
An I probably never would listened to this if it wasn't audible plus. Because was included with audible plus

1 person found this helpful

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  • Anonymous User
  • 11-07-21

The. Worst. Don’t do it.

The plot is ridiculous, I’m all for willing suspension of disbelief, but this sets a new bar. The script is terrible, muddling every police procedural trope and tossing it in a dumpster. You can tell the actors (some genuinely talented people) were trying hard, but with every character lifted from a stereotype encyclopaedia, there wasn’t much they could do to save it. If I hadn’t been driving alone at night in a no wi-fi/signal zone with no other book downloaded I wouldn’t have kept going. I listened to the last 20 mins from morbid curiosity. I shouldn’t have. Shame on me.

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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  • AnaBarraez
  • 10-20-21

Terrible performance

I can't even review the story because the performance was so bad, so loud, all over the place and distracting, that 5 minutes was enough to make me quit listening. It was exhausting.

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Anonymous User
  • 10-08-21

Brilliant listen

Best listened to with headphones for the full immersive sound experience, easily binged over a weekend

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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  • Anonymous User
  • 10-04-21

Honestly , this was just a bit weird.

The production was really good, if not a bit unusual for an audio book. Your well “acted” if not a bit shouts and overdramatised at times. However the actual story was so weak and not of James Patterson’s usual standard. Loosing his touch or has this been so badly edited to become a short piece? Either way, it falls short for me.

2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Anonymous User
  • 09-26-21

Full cast narration done well

This audio drama would not have been as thrilling if it wasn't for the spot on casting of narrators. A specially captivating performance by Aaron Paul, Krysten Ritter and Karan Soni, the casting - along with the sound effects - offers variety of perspective and adds to scene setting without inundating the listener.
The story was good, it could've had more colour and been a bit longer (it felt a little rushed towards the end), but it still kept my attention and wasn't predictable in a way that left me bored.
Definitely looking forward to more audio dramas done like this in the future.

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Anonymous User
  • 10-18-21

It's ok

I've listened to a couple of audio drama's and this one is ok. I recognised a couple of actors voices in it. Story is a bit predictable.

1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • CAdams
  • 09-23-21

Aaron Paul Is Engaging

And the rest of the cast is strong. Very enjoyable. Can recommend to take the place of your favourite

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Anonymous User
  • 05-21-23

Very enjoyable!

The story was engaging and the actors very entertaining. One criticism would be some sound effects were a little overpowering of the dialogue as with some musical interludes. The story was a great pace. listened while I gardened even laughed out loud a couple of times.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Anonymous User
  • 05-19-23

Well worth a listen

Good story, great presentation well worth a listen wish it was longer hope there’s a follow up :)

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Anonymous User
  • 05-02-23

Fabulous!

Purchased on a whim.
Loved it. Loved the narration and the story. I didn't pick who the villain was and I liked how neatly it all came together.
Bonus it was a short story compared to others so it didn't drag out. Very good.