The Coldest Case

Billy Harney #0.5

by James Patterson, Aaron Tracy (Contributor), Ryan Silbert

* 3 hours and 52 minutes *

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', 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.

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

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

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

4 pages, 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

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relatively big 0.5 book with running time of 3 hrs and 52 mins.
The Coldest Case has a highly entertaining audio performance! I fall into the category of liking the dramatization than hating it. It does have some drawbacks, although small, where sound effects and background noise can be distracting and make some dialogues difficult to hear. The story is decent, local politics and crime in Chicago and an undercover police get mixed up in a sting operation.
3⭐ for story
5⭐ for audio

[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

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having recently discovered James Patterson's experimentation in 'direct to audio’ work, I was pleased to get my hands on this piece. It brings to life a new series that has a great deal of potential, working with collaborators Aaron Tracy and Ryan Silbert. The story is layered with a great plot and some sensational character interactions, which is intensified by the audio. While the Chicago PD is not known for its simple cases, this one is particularly tough. Thank goodness Detectives Billy and Patti Harney are working it as best they can. When Billy’s partner gets too deep while undercover, she needs to be extracted, but that only leads to added issues. Billy soon realises that there is a powerful list of names in a secret book, ones that could lead to the death of countless others if it falls into the wrong hands. Patterson wins with this one, in a story that comes to life through audio.

A sinister drug ring has been working in Chicago for years, something that Chicago PD Detective Billy Harney has been investigating. Working alongside his sister, Patti, they are trying to eke out some information about something big. When Billy's partner, Kate, embeds herself into the group, there is hope that something will come of it. After a gaffe sees many turn up dead, Kate is almost revealed as a cop and she must be taken into protective custody, but not before an essential informant goes missing. Amongst all the chaos, a special black book containing key information has gone missing and the drug ring is hell-bent on finding it, no matter the cost. Key clients could be outed otherwise!

As Billy and Patti investigate the contents of the black book, they realise that it is more than meets the eye, with crooked athletes and corrupt politicians front and centre on the list. On the side, Billy and Patti discover the intense world of on-line gaming and how ruthless it can be. This helps them crack open a little part of the case, but also pushes them deeper into confusion as well. When the black book reveals a chilling secret that could lead to many deaths, it's a race to get to the scene on time to prevent disaster. The fate of many rests in the hands of the Harneys. Patterson excites with ease as he creates a story many can enjoy in only a few hours!

While James Patterson has moments of greatness and others of frigidity, this was surely one of the greater publication, released solely through audio. The story was crisp and the plot flowed well, keeping the reader engaged throughout and eager to see how things would progress. Said to be the prequel of the Black Book series, this story works really well and offers listeners something exciting in a short period of time. Patterson and his collaborators develop a wonderful script and use a star-studded cast to bring it all to life.

The characters were all cast well and the multitude of voices surely brought things to a new level. I was able to follow things with ease, even if I had to listen very carefully to ensure I did not miss anything. The plot was on point and left me begging for me, as I learned a little more about the Harneys and how well they function together. While I do love a good book, this was an excellent alternative and gave me something special to enjoy amidst all the craziness I find surrounds me these days. A step above a simple audiobook, Patterson and his collaborators have left me wanting more!

Kudos, Messrs. Patterson, Tracy, and Silbert, for a great story and wonderful experience. I look forward to future collaborations, as they become possible.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Erth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally don't go for the "audio dramas" that Audible produces: They are like watching tv without a picture, or listening to the soundtrack of a play -- different voices and sound effects, not a narrator reading and giving life to the author's words. But this one was well put together.

Aaron Paul's voice kept bringing to mind "Harry Bosch", and I saw Titus Welliver's face as I listened.

Although I figured out the "bad guy" early on, it was still a nail-biter. Minus one star because there were a few places that I got lost because of background noises, or not getting the "picture" from the sounds.

[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

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a short audio drama audiobook. The narrators did a wonderful job; if they hadn't I wouldn't have gotten to the end. The biggest beef is the main character, a detective who comes from a family of "blue", who is absolutely trusting. After all those years of being a policeman, he believes all he is told. When his new partner lies the first time he believes her, when she is caught in the lie he sticks up for her. Oh well, there wouldn't have been this story if he had not believed her (There could have been a better story). And lastly, he finds out she has been using drugs for a long time but he (a detective from a line of blue) never noticed. Would not recommend it.

[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.

[Hulya Kara Yuksel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened the audiobook. 😊

[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!!!!!

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was such a fun audible original. Great way to end the week

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun read! It was interesting how they included background noises to add the scenes for the characters.

[Tiff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love love love hearing Aaron Paul as a part of this cast. The story was so so but the cast really made up for it.

[☮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.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great audible book starring Aaron Paul. Crime thriller by James Patterson. I stayed up late into the night listening to it.

[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!

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really quite entertaining. I felt like I was listening to a television show or movie with the sound effects and full cast production. I used to read a lot of James Patterson but am really not a fan of his work at this point but this sounded interesting and it was free to borrow so I took a chance and I am glad that I did. I liked the characters in this story and was very interested on how the mystery would work out. I don't see myself becoming a James Patterson fangirl anytime soon but I wouldn't hesitate to listen to something like this again in the future.

Book source: Audible Plus

[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 ⭐.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly well performed by all of those involved with the Audio Book. James Patterson managed to not only bring this story to life,, but also sis an immaculate job of keeping you busy trying to unravel all of the events.

[Chrissie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure - this was a full cast production which was free! Not a favoured author of mine, but I know he is widely enjoyed. Good performances, the story just wasn't my cup of tea.

[Tracy ✌ · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd listen to this whole series if it was recorded like this.

I listen to both traditional audiobooks that just narrate the story too, but I find these audio dramas to be more engaging at times. I can understand why people might not like to essentially listen to a TV show, but I find them enjoyable - especially when I'm doing something else like cleaning or grinding in a video game.

[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.

[Sarah Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the was this was done. Having and audio drama really adds a lot to the story. I love police drama shows and this made it feel like I was watching something instead of just listening to a book. Looking forward to more done like this!

The story as well was good. I really felt like having it acted out made the characters so much more real and really made me feel invested in what happened. After listening I had to go find what else the Billy Harney character was up to and added several more books to my list.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
My first time listening to an audio drama and it was like listening to a crime TV show. The story wasn't anything new or spectacular but still very enjoyable. I did feel like the comedy show bit was cringe worthy and unnecessary. Overall it was worth the listen.