"Black Pearl" A Cold Case Suspense By Donnell Ann Bell: Review/Giveaway

by Vicki Vass

Details on how to win a copy of this book at the end of the review a link to purchase it.

Could a modern day murder be connected with a fourteen-year-old cold case? And, could its clues lead to the suspect? That is what Denver Major Crimes Lieutenant and two FBI agents seek to find out in Black Pearl, the first in a suspense series by award-winning author Donnell Ann Bell. Agent Brian DiPietro has been haunted by his failure to solve the previous murders fourteen years ago; his partner is a rookie agent who specializes in psychology.

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Image Source Bell Bridge Books

Lending her assistance is Allison Shannon, who was the only surviving victim of the Black Pearl Killer fourteen years ago. She is now a police officer. Throughout the book, Shannon must confront her past including those who blamed her for surviving while the DiPietro searches for answers that have driven him for years.

Bell does a great job of intertwining the character’s stories within a tightly woven, fast-paced plot that offers plenty of twists and turns. The suspense builds and leads to a satisfying conclusion. It is obvious in reading that Bell put research into understanding police procedures and how they work. The dialogue reads authentic, the situation also seems real. Also the interactions among the various characters work well and provide a ring of authenticity.

While this was the first book I read by Bell, I doubt it will be my last. Fans of suspense will be pulled into the taut page-turner. I enjoyed her detailed, nuanced style and the fast opener. A 2020 Colorado Book Award finalist, Black Pearl is a suspense novel worth reading and is a great starter for what hopefully will be a long series.

To enter to win either an ebook or print copy of Black Pearl, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "pearl,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen April 11, 2020. U.S. residents only. If entering via comment please include your email address. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win, we will not use your address for any other reason. BE SURE TO STATE WHETHER YOU WANT EBOOK OR PRINT. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast featuring mystery short stories and first chapters read by actors. A new episode went up this week!

You can use this link to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:

After trading in her reporter’s notebook, Vicki Vass chronicled the near-real adventures of her best friends in the Antique Hunters Mystery Series. A White Rabbit’s Tale, the sixth book in the series, was recently released. She also writes the Witch Cat Mystery series. When not plotting murders, Vicki enjoys walking her two Australian shepherds, reading and dancing. Now in quarantine, she is sheltering in place with the Blue Ridge Mountains as her backdrop. Find her at Facebook: Vicki Vass Author or on her blog Vicki’s Cozy Corner.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.