The Coldest Case

Billy Harney #0.5

by James Patterson

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.

Genres: Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

Audible Audio

First published March 11, 2021

About the author

Official US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose to listen to the Audio Drama of “The Coldest Case” by James Patterson and performed by a plethora of notable stars. This is a prequel to Patterson’s “The Black Book”. My husband and I intend to listen to that novel on our long drive, so I wanted to give it a listen. I enjoyed the sound effects in this audio-only thriller. It provides a great back drop to Detective Billy Harney and his work relationships in the Chicago Police force. It is an enjoyable stand-alone as well, although it ends in a cliff-hanger and you will want to read/listen to “The Black Book”.

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t too bad, but it will probably not be remembered for long.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

While not completely pointless, it's pretty close. Lots could have written this short story and many would have done better. 4 of 10 stars

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 3.75 stars**
Audio all cast performance 5 stars**
Narrators Aaron Paul
Krysten Ritter
Beau Bridges
Greta Lee
Kevin Pollak
Jordan Bridges
Terrence Terrell
Patton Oswalt

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Coldest Case: The Past Has a Long Memory is a brilliant entertaining audible original with a fantastic cast of narrators and fast-paced drama.
When a random series of murders begin to occur across Chicago, twin detectives Patti (Krysten Ritter) and Bill Harney (Aaron Paul) are on the case. Each murder is shocking and happens right in front of them, leaving them unable to save the victims. The murderer is leaving clues with each victim, leaving the twins scrambling to solve the case and stop the murders.
Patti receives a typed letter anonymously leaving her with questions about her father, Chief of Detectives Dan Harney (Beau Bridges), but before she can get any answers, he is kidnapped. As the pair race to find him and save him from a sadistic killer, they find out information pointing at a dark secret from their fathers past, but how dies it connect to the murder cases they're also racing to solve?
I love these audible books - the addition of multiple narrators, immersive sounds and music make them entertaining and very immersive; I feel like I'm right there in the thick of it all.

[Andreas Tornberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like listening to an episode of a crime tv show. Different and interesting but I prefer a normal audiobook.

[Sharon :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audiobook has Jessie from Breaking Bad as the main character soooooo good!!!!!

[☮Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I snatched this free Audible Original because I enjoyed The Black Book, co-written by Patterson and David Ellis. Ellis didn't contribute to this one, but it is still an entertaining listen. A full cast of narrators helps, including Beau Bridges and Aaron Paul (who I never heard of but is famous for Breaking Bad, I guess, and his voice is very nice). Think of this as sheer entertainment; nothing life changing, and you'll need to suspend disbelief a few times. It's presented like you're watching a movie without the visuals, but one can picture it all. My only criticism is that some of the segues between scenes were annoyingly long periods of silence, making me think the book turned itself off.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fall into the camp of "Friends don't let Friends read James Patterson" ever since he became a book mill. My one exception to that rule is I loved David Ellis who got too busy being an appellate judge to continue writing. Then to my excitement and horror he teamed up with JP and one of the books he wrote was The Black Book to which this Audible only Original is a prequel. Throw in that I love Aaron Paul (Jesse in Breaking Bad) who voices the main character in this story and I had to do it.

It's short, coming in at just under 4 hours, and it is a full dramatization: multiple actors voicing various characters and sound effects. I still can't decide if I like that in my audiobooks so I will let you decide for yourself what to think there. The story was interesting and kept me going, granted I listened to more than half of it while shoveling out from a blizzard. But it was no David Ellis, whom I don't see had any connection to this production. I say if you have Audible and don't have to sign up or pay to get it then yes, give it a listen. If not, you aren't missing out on much. But do look for the 2nd book in the series, Red Book, coming out soon.

[Nancy Yager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduction

Welcome to a thrilling ride with James Patterson's "The Coldest Case," an Audible original. This gripping mystery, featuring an all-star cast, is sure to captivate fans of the adult fiction genre. With fast-paced storytelling and an unexpected ending, this audiobook delivers entertainment and suspense in equal measure.

Main Characters
• Billy Harney (Aaron Paul) - A dedicated detective with a sharp mind and relentless pursuit of justice. I must confess that I am an Aaron Paul fan and this is what attracted me to the audible version of the book.
• Patti Harney (Krysten Ritter) - Billy's twin sister and partner, equally tenacious and skilled.
• Dan Harney (Beau Bridges) - The patriarch of the Harney family, bringing wisdom and experience to the mix.

Supporting roles include Greta Lee, Kevin Pollak, Jordan Bridges as young Dan Harney, and Patton Oswalt playing himself, adding depth and charm to the narrative.

Plot Summary

The story revolves around twin detectives Billy and Patti Harney as they tackle a convoluted case that takes them through a labyrinth of clues and false leads. Their unique bond and complementary skills make them a formidable team. The narrative moves at a brisk pace, ensuring there's never a dull moment. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Patterson throws in a twist that will leave you reeling.

Who Should or Should Not Read the Book

Should Read:
• Mystery Lovers - If you enjoy piecing together clues and following detectives on their quest for truth.
• Audiobook Enthusiasts - The stellar cast brings the characters to life in a way that only seasoned actors can.
• James Patterson Fans - True to form, Patterson delivers another edge-of-your-seat thriller.
Should Not Read:
• If you prefer intricate, slow-burning mysteries with heavy psychological elements.
• Readers looking for a deeply serious or somber narrative.

My Opinion

"The Coldest Case" is a light, entertaining, and often funny listen that showcases the talents of its all-star cast. Aaron Paul and Krysten Ritter shine as the Harney twins, their chemistry adding a layer of authenticity to the story. Beau Bridges and the supporting cast, including Kevin Pollak and Patton Oswalt, enhance the experience with their exceptional performances.

Overall, the book is a delightful mix of classic cop drama and modern storytelling, making it a perfect pick for anyone looking to escape into a well-crafted mystery. The unexpected ending is a testament to Patterson's ability to keep his audience guessing until the very last moment. If you’re a fan of the genre, don’t miss out on this Audible gem.

The opinions expressed in this review are my own because as a United States citizen I have freedom of speech.

[Alonso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cool, I stumbled into goodness! I have listened to countless audiobooks, but this is my first audiobook that was read by an entire celebrity casts! Another audiobook I listened to, METAtropolis: The Dawn of Uncivilization, was read by only one celebrity cast, Michael Hogan.

This audio drama format is almost like listening to an episode of a popular TV series, much like watching the series but only with all the dialogues and sound effects. Awesome! It was so much fun, especially when you have Aaron Paul (think Breaking Bad), Nathalie Emmanuel (think Game of Thrones), and many others reading their roles!

Throughout the entire four hours, I was actually trying to visualize the scenes while the actors were doing the narration! Kudos to all the actors who narrated the audio drama, they have done a fantastic job! I’d definitely look out for other such audio dramas to add to be tbr. Highly recommended!

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Believe it or not but I have never read a book by James Patterson, so I thought this short audible original would be a great way to give him a try. And oh, what a fun experience this was. It's narrated by a full cast and was absolutely pitch perfect. The thriller element was well-done and I learned a lot about professional gaming. The humor was brilliant and I was smiling throughout. A great way to spend 4 hours!

[Phoenix Perpetuale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have listened to The Coldest Case: A Black Book Audio Drama by James Patterson on Audible.
I am giving a five ⭐ for the performance. The different gender narrators, the backup noise, music it was lovely. For the Story, I am going to give only 3 ⭐.

[Tracy ✌ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite silly & inconceivable, but a super fun audio book. Aaron Paul does a fantastic job!!

[Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Case Hits Too Close to Home



The following ratings are out of 5:
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 😋🙂😁😎
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Full Cast Narration – dramatized adaptation

Audiobook Review: The Coldest Case: The Past Has a Long Memory

Author: James Patterson, Ryan Silbert and Aaron Tracy
Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Narrator(s): Aaron Paul, Krysten Ritter, Beau Bridges, Kevin Pollak, Patton Oswald, full cast

👥 Characters and Plot

Detective Billy Harney and his twin sister, Detective Patti Harney, are thrown into another high‑stakes investigation when a tip leads them to a body hidden beneath a buoy in Lake Michigan. The discovery is grisly, but the circumstances are even stranger, especially when a second anonymous call sends them racing to a man rigged with a homemade magnet bomb designed to trigger his pacemaker. Both victims are over seventy‑five, and both worked for the same construction company four decades earlier, hinting at a long‑buried secret finally clawing its way to the surface.

The case turns personal when their father, the chief of detectives, is kidnapped. As Billy and Patti scramble to uncover who took him and why, a mysterious file appears under Patti’s door, proof that their father has been paying someone an enormous sum of money for forty years. The revelation forces the twins to confront the possibility that the man they idolized has been hiding a life they never imagined. The tension between the investigation and the unraveling family history gives the story emotional weight, even as the plot barrels forward with Patterson‑style momentum.

The mystery is exciting and fast paced, though the previous book felt a bit tighter and more emotionally cohesive. Still, the characters remain incredibly likable, and the sibling dynamic continues to be one of the series’ strongest elements. The twist involving beloved characters from the first book stings, but it also adds complexity and stakes that deepen the narrative.

🎭 Full‑Cast Production & Performances

The full cast production once again transforms the audiobook into a cinematic experience. Aaron Paul and Krysten Ritter slip effortlessly back into their roles, grounding the story with grit and emotional nuance. Beau Bridges brings gravitas to the Harney family’s unraveling secrets, while Greta Lee, Kevin Pollak, Jordan Bridges (as young Dan Harney), and even Patton Oswalt add texture and personality to the expanding world.

As with the first book, the dramatic audio format elevates the material. The layered sound design, overlapping dialogue, and immersive pacing make it feel like a prestige crime drama unfolding in your mind. It’s not just an audiobook, it’s an experience.

⭐ Final Opinion

This sequel delivers a gripping, character driven mystery with strong emotional undercurrents, even if it doesn’t quite surpass the previous installment. The plot is twisty, the stakes are personal, and the Harney twins remain compelling anchors in a world full of secrets. The full‑cast production is the true standout, turning every scene into something vivid and cinematic. While some revelations about familiar characters may be hard to swallow, they ultimately enrich the story and push the series into deeper, more morally tangled territory. Overall, it’s a thoroughly entertaining listen, fast, immersive, and packed with the kind of dramatic tension that keeps you pressing play.

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[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Coldest Case is a full-cast Audible novella which was available free with my Audible Australia subscription. It’s a prequel to the Billy Harney trilogy, one of Patterson’s crime thriller series, which begins with The Black Book - I hadn’t heard of it before but am now interested in continuing it.
We listened to the whole thing on a recent car journey and I enjoyed both the plot and characters.

Detective Billy Harney has been running an operation aimed at taking down a notorious Chicago drug ring. His partner Kate is undercover and they are close to a breakthrough when a killing forces their hand, and puts them under pressure to recover a vital piece of evidence.

This had an excellent cast of narrators, including Aaron Paul from Breaking Bad - all grown up! I’m never so keen on the music & sound effects in these audio specials - they’re more distracting than helpful, especially in the car, but they weren’t too overdone in this one. Recommended.

[Alicia Cooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay this was so bad that I genuinely could not finish it. I was really excited to listen to this audiobook given Patterson's popularity and reputation but... are all of his books this bad?

Honestly, if you approach this book reading it as a comedy rather than a crime novel, you might enjoy it. If you told me this was an SNL parody of a Patterson novel, I would've believed you.

The last straw for me was this scene:

The detectives go to interview some football coach because they think his players are in possession of a missing ledger with names of drug dealers in it. Unclear why they are connected to any of this. During their interview with the coach, this gem emerges:

Coach: "That's above my pay grade - I just clean millionaires' jock straps."
Detective: "We all do. *long pause* ....metaphorically." ????

After this, the detective is starstruck by a football player. We are told that him and his wife are big fans. Long story short he gets this guy to record a video greeting for his wife. When they listen to the recording a few hours later, they hear a ***cough*** in the background of the recording and IMMEDIATELY identify the cough as belonging to their suspect, who they suspect was hiding under the bleachers. What??

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

LOL

Between heavy books and looking for a quick listen while painting a room, I stumbled upon the free Audible version of this Patterson story - featuring Aaron Paul, Krysten Ritter, Nathalie Emmanuel, Beau Bridges, Kevin Dunn, and more. It's different than the Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, and classics I typically read so I figured let's give a try. I know Patterson is a prolific writer and I believe wrote some of The Wire, so I was looking forward to a quick mystery.

This thing is (unintentionally) hilarious. The plot is ludicrous, the way characters think and behave is nonsensical, and other than Paul and Dunn, as talented as they all are, the cast read flat to me. The best, though, has to be the dialogue. Two quick examples:

A) SUBTLETY IN ACTION
- Chicago Bears equipment manager: "That's above my pay grade. I just clean millionaires' jock straps"
- Detective Harney: "We all do." (pause.) "METAPHORICALLY."

(Side bonus, the all-star football player is an absolutely ridiculous sketch, and happens to record a voicemail where they hear a cough in the background and instantly realize that must be from their suspect hiding under the bleachers - it is unreal.)

B) WHO TALKS LIKE THIS?
- Computer geek before telling Harney to be careful jumping on a moving train: "Be careful. This isn't like the movies where there is no blood. Because to, uh, borrow another movie's title, THERE WILL BE BLOOD."

I fully recommend this book. It is terrible - and so much fun. You will love it with the right attitude.

[Atikah Wahid · Rating 1 out of 5]

So this is just terrible. I'm trying to milk my audible free trial for all its worth since it's ending soon and I figured, why not this? I love crime thrillers. It's a short audiobook with less than 4 hours. I was on long drive home. It has star-studded cast of Aaron Paul, Krysten Ritter and Alexis Bledel. So, this should be good right?

I fell asleep in episode 3. It's bad.

The actors were great. I had no idea Aaron has a super sexy voice, perfect for audiobooks. But the script itself? The story? Absolutely dull and unrealistic. I don't mind even if it's an average cop show plot but it was even less than that. It also doesn't help there's no narrator so I had to figure out where the characters were and what they're doing based on context clues. It's just purely dialogue, like a radio drama show. While it does have cool background sound effects, but I needed more.

The writing is just plain bad. At one point, the characters figured out the suspect was on site because a recorded COUGH. They could recognise somebody's cough?? Even CSI wouldn't pull that shit. To put it even more insane, the characters were even there at the time but couldn't hear or recognise somebody coughing. It's just ridiculous. This is my first book of his too and I think this may well just be the last.

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really well done audio drama with lots of tension and very entertaining. Even with multiple characters and loads of action, it was easy to follow.
I definitely want to listen to more of Billy Harney's exploits. The characters and their relationship dynamic were as interesting as the criminal case itself.

[Baje Bookclub - Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit that I’m not that big a fan of audiobooks unless I’m listening to autobiographies/memoirs but I am a huge fan of James Patterson. So when I saw this audiobook pop up on my storyline I had to get it!!!

It was a fantastic audiobook.....I loved the comedy throughout the audiobook- Edgar 🤣.....the fast pace....the plot twist.......just like his books but I really enjoyed those things that I couldn’t get from a book - background music and noises - police station, fired guns, high speed chase, fist fights, each character’s voice to name a few. Can Billie figure this out in time???.....man I loved it !!
🔪🔫🚔👮‍♀️👮🚆
.
.
James Patterson, I’m ready for the next audiobook!!!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
The highlight of this audiobook is the outstanding full-cast narration. That part was entertaining, but some of the dialogue is unnatural and some of the situations seemed far-fetched. However, it is action-packed and fun to listen to.

[Soo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notes:

On Audible Plus

Good audiodrama production but a generic novella on it's own because of lack of familiarity with characters.

[Fiorella Valerio · Rating 3 out of 5]

It didn't feel like a book perse... More like a tv show. Very interesting tho... I realized who was the guilty person very soon. I Also liked the sound effects.

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prequel to “The Black Book” only available through Audible. It is a full on production with sound effects and actors playing each role. I usually don’t like this type production, but I didn’t mind this one. It also was a solid story despite it being a touch under four hours. I don’t think I would have liked the story as much had I not first read “The Black Book”.

Billy Harney is running a case involving a drug ring. His partner, Kate, goes undercover, but things go awry. Billy pulls her out and a black book with a lot of famous names goes missing. Billy and his sister, who is also a detective, work to find the book and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Solid listen that isn’t too long. It is a good primer for the upcoming second book in the series, “The Red Book”.

[Nicole's Bookish Tidbits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Detective Billy Harney is investigating murders aligned with a notorious drug ring, and some very corrupt, prominent people in Chicago, that will see his partner and his family in grave danger. At the centre of this drama? A little black book and a super corrupt agent.

Review: For the record, this is the hardest review I have ever written. Why, you ask? Because I really couldn’t with the audio thing. It is definitely NOT my thing (so the structure of this review will be slightly different). Anywho, after I got past that lil hiccup, I was able to enjoy this story.

In short, this book had the right amount of mystery and drama, in true James Patterson style.

What I liked:
1. Fast-paced, just the way I like my crime mysteries
2. Not long…just the right length
3. A promising end
4. Well-written plot
5. The voices used were very engaging

What I didn’t like:
1. Well, you know about the audio thing…ugh
2. The background was too noisy. It distracted from the dialogue and made it hard for me to visualize the environment

Overall, if you are into audio books, don’t let me distract from your experience with an engaging mystery. And, James Patterson fans, you won’t be disappointed.

[Anastasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Coldest Case by James Patterson is a black book Audio drama produced by Audible. Detective Billy Harney investigates murders tied to a Chicago drug ring, leading to the disappearance of a black book listing several prominant names. A bit different to the usual Audible book in that it involves multiple actors and sound effects. An interesting and quick story, but nothing special.

[Alyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★☆ - story
★★★★★ - audio

I will definitely continue with this series! :)

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very interesting and well cast. The story line was good, it felt like I was looking at a TV show. I guess more like listing to stories from the radio way back in my grandmothers and mothers time.

[Adarsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The all-star cast (Aaron Paul, Krysten Ritter and Nathalie Emmanuel) and best-in-class audio production value elevate this predictable, middling plot into a great audiobook experience.