Black Pearl: A Cold Case Suspense

Written by Donnell Ann Bell

Narrated by Malik Rashad

A cold case heats up when a 9-1-1 call puts police at a Denver murder scene, pointing investigators to the abduction of a Colorado teenager fourteen years earlier. A calling card—a single black pearl—is found on the newest victim. Is the murder a copycat? Or has a twisted serial killer, thought dead or in prison, returned to strike again?

Soon, the hunt for a multi-state killer is on and brings together an unexpected team: a Denver Major Crimes police lieutenant; an FBI special agent who investigated the previous murders; a rookie FBI agent with a specialty in psychology; and the only living victim of the Black Pearl Killer, who is now a cop.

For Special Agent Brian DiPietro, the case is an opportunity to find answers. For Officer Allison Shannon, the case will force her to face down the town that blamed her for surviving when another did not. And for both DiPietro and Shannon, it’s a chance for both to find closure to questions that have tormented them for years.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing
• Release date: Sep 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9781094460857

Donnell Ann Bell

Before I was published in fiction, I paid my dues in the Unpublished World, finaling in or winning numerous Romance Writers of America® chapter competitions as well as several multi-genre writing competitions. I’m extremely proud to be listed as a two-time Golden Heart® finalist for RWA’s® highest competition. These particular accolades led to the publication of The Past Came Hunting and Deadly Recall. I am as at home in nonfiction as I am in fiction. I’ve worked for a weekly business publication and a monthly parenting magazine, but prefer my fictional writing compared to writing about stock portfolios or treating diaper rash. I have a background in court reporting, have worked with kids and engineers, and have volunteered for law enforcement and other organizations. A Colorado resident for forty years, my husband and I now split our time between Colorado and New Mexico.

Reviews for Black Pearl

[Felice Bickmore · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Halting narration was distracting. Perhaps, if I had read myself, I ultimately would enjoy this story more. Found my mind wandering on this one frequently and having to go back.

[afo28 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Where should I start? They listed the researchers at the end. That was probably a mistake. This book read like a man that writes about women not a woman that writes about women. There were way too many characters to follow in the beginning and then, to add somebody with disassociative identity disorder at the end made it nearly impossible. The Changing names of the characters also made it difficult read sometimes by first name sometimes by last name one of the victims went by your full name or her nickname, depending on who was thinking about her. I just feel like I wasted a bunch of time to wait for a mediocre “twist”

[Max Hobbs · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great characters, well-written, surprising twist. I LOVE that it was free of profanity and blasphemy. So hard to find a quality thriller without all the sloppy language. Can’t wait to read her other books.

[Karen Chandler · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a well written mystery with many twists. It has believable characters and storyline. I recommend this author and the book.

[Hanlie Noeth · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The narrator's voice is stunning. I would love to see a photo of him.
The book was great, but the last 5 chapters confused me a little. It could just be me. But I give it a 4 star rating for the suspense, I could not stop listening. The narrator's voice helped very much.

[Scott Mackenzie · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The book itself is solid. The reader consistently mispronounces common English words, totally pulling out you of the book. I liked the story, but if the same reader does the second book, I won’t be listening.

[Cathie McKenna · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was an Interesting storyline with an unexpected twist to it.

[Riddhi Sawant · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Couldn't pause at all!
Amazingly crafted and delivered.
The bits and pieces from the past were nice touch to keep the reader guessing.
I thought at 70% mark I had figured the killer but the circumstances kept eluding until the twin theory.

All in all a Fantastic Read!

[Nancy Vieth · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great first book in a series! Narrator was great too!

[naomiifrog · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm not sure exactly why, but I could not get into this story. The story was fine. It just doesn't draw you in and get interested or excited.

[justicemarc47 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A case becomes “Cold” when all probative investigative leads available to the primary investigators are exhausted and the case remains open and unsolved after a period of three years. Cold Cases are reviewed to determine if newer technologies or forensic testing may produce any new potential leads.https://mexicoonlinepharmacy.org/

[Blake Howland · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The narration is terrible. I couldn't get into the story because of this.... perhaps if I could stand to listen I would enjoy the book more??? I really tried....

[julie weeks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The story held my attention until the end. I felt the characters worked well together, though all were very different in personality.

[Lena Browneyes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narrator really drew me in! This was a great book, looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Dennis Hooker II · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the story! However, I really hated the narrator. Especially the voice for Allison. It did not fit the character and was very off putting.

[Frosty Theron · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I couldn’t continue listening to the narrator, just not my cup of tea. Apologies to the author; I will read it instead.

[Kathryn Arnold · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting twists, but so many unanswered questions & dangling threads. But I stuck it out.

[Lisa Moriah Chenthitta · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Happy to be the first to review this. What a great book! The narrator’s sometimes-halting cadence of speech was hard to get past at the beginning, but once the story was flowing he seemed to find his stride. I wish the author’s romantic suspense books were here as well. I look forward to the next in this series.