Audible and James Patterson Forge Multi-Project Audible Original Deal
Audible today announced a multi-project development and first look deal with the world’s bestselling author James Patterson. Patterson will create a slate of audio-only Audible Original projects. The Coldest Case: A Black Book Drama will be the first release, performed by Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad, Westworld), Krysten Ritter (Breaking Bad, Jessica Jones) and Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones, Maze Runner).
The Coldest Case: A Black Book Drama is a prequel to Patterson’s #1 New York Times and USA Today bestseller The Black Book. In active development are four additional projects that will include original storylines from the unparalleled imagination of James Patterson, and will introduce new characters and voices. Patterson’s Audible projects will also extend into content for the middle grade audience.
I’m thrilled to collaborate with Audible on an extraordinary slate of original projects. I’m particularly looking forward to building stories specifically for the listening experience—the spin of a tire wheel, the gravel in a villain’s voice, the note of triumph in a detective’s final words as he closes a case—all performed by gifted, top-tier talent. Audiences have been flocking to the audio arena, and I can’t wait to explore and innovate in a different medium.
“Pairing powerhouse storyteller James Patterson with Audible’s expertise in the audio space will undoubtedly result in unique, immersive, and heart-pounding entertainment experiences,” said Najen Naylor, Senior Director of Audible Originals. “Imagine your favorite James Patterson thrillers brought vibrantly to life by full acting casts comprised of some of the biggest talents from stage and screen. Only now, those plot twists and beloved voices are right in your earbuds.”
In The Coldest Case: A Black Book 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 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.
For all Audible and James Patterson collaborations, Najen Naylor will serve as Executive in Charge; Bill Robinson, Principal at James Patterson Entertainment, will serve as Executive Producer. Ian Stearns and Matt Patterson will serve as Executive Producers for Audible. For The Coldest Case: A Black Book Drama, Patterson collaborated with writers and Executive Producers Aaron Tracy of Friendly Heights (Law & Order: SVU, Sequestered) and Ryan Silbert of Origin Story Entertainment (Stan Lee's Alliances: A Trick of Light, The Girl is in Trouble).
ABOUT JAMES PATTERSON
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 five 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.
