May 22 2026
We welcome our good friend, author Mark Bergin, to Elaine’s Literary Salon to talk about his journey from reporter to cop to the author of a series being published by Severn River.
Our agenda for tonight’s event:
- 6pm: Meet, greet, and order food and drinks from Elaine’s award-winning menu
- 7pm: Our 45-minute interview begins, followed by a 15-minute Q&A with the audience to be produced on our popular podcast and video series
- 8pm: Guests talk with the author, buy the books, and get them signed!
Meet the Author: Mark Bergin retired from the Alexandria, Virginia Police Department as a Lieutenant in 2014 after 28 years and, in the end, two heart attacks. (He died both times. See April 2015 blog). He was twice named Police Officer of the Year, for drug and robbery investigations, and served in most of the posts described in his 2019 debut novel Apprehension, which won an award in 2022 from the Public Safety Writers Association and was a finalist for the Silver Falchion Award at the Killer Nashville conference in 2021.
Prior to police service, he was a newspaper reporter in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in Northern Virginia, where he earned the Virginia Press Association Award for General News Reporting. A graduate of Boston University, Mark and his wife split their time between Alexandria and Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, with their not-so-new dog. Learn more: markberginwriter.com
“Apprehension,” by Mark Bergin
About Apprehension: Covering four rough, routine, and horrific days in Detective John Kelly’s life, he relives the murder of his niece, derails a rape investigation in a drunken burst of anger, and works to send a pedophile to prison. But his girlfriend, Rachel Cohen, is defending the pedophile. Rachel’s a toughie, prepared to destroy Kelly in court but holding a secret from him that could bond them or break them apart.
Parallel plots bring in an experienced patrol training officer and his rookie exploring issues of race and fairness in policing, plainclothes narcotics agents pushing the limits of honesty in court, an officer who survives a terrible attack but has her case mauled by an angry judge, a teenage drug dealer whose trial defense is voodoo – true story! – and a commander who covertly pulls strings to bail out or bury his flock of cops.
A realistic, as close to fact as fiction can be, and is targeted to appeal to cops, people who want to learn what makes cops tick, and readers of serious, emotional fiction.
What Critics are saying:
Kirkus Reviews calls it “compelling,… A gritty and authentic new voice in police fiction,” and said Mark writes, “with authority and empathy about cops.” It will sit on the same shelf as the works of George V. Higgins, Elmore Leonard, and Joseph Wambaugh (but before them alphabetically).
Proceeds from the sale of the book go to programs to prevent police suicide.
Click here to buy Mark’s books!
About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more: jeffreyjameshiggings.com
Find more of Elaine’s Literary Salon events here. And check back for new episodes of Elaine’s Literary Salon on Inkandescent.tv and listen to all the podcasts on InkandescentRadio.com.
About Elaine’s Restaurant: A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo. “I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.” Located in an 1880s building, it was the former home of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins for 38 years. The newly renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. Make a reservation today: elaines-restaurant.com.
About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host 
And meet the PR Director for Elaine’s Literary Salon, InkandescentPR.com’s founder, Hope Katz Gibbs. With her team of award-winning journalists, illustrators and video producers, they help writers up their PR and marketing game with professionally produced podcasts on 
