In his new 4-part book series, bestselling thriller author Jeffrey James Higgins brings us Volume 1, “The Havana Syndrome” — available June 17
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Today at Elaine’s Literary Salon: Jeff Higgins interviews Christopher Chambers, author of “Street Whys” — the third novel in his Detective Dickie Cornish series
Jeff says: "I'm thrilled today to interview Chris, General Counsel to a not-for-profit benefiting HBCUs. He's also an award-winning author whose gritty crime novels are as literary as they are noir." Don't miss this episode!
June 2025: It’s always a thrill to promote the launch of a new book by one of our favorite Inkandescent authors. This month, we shine the spotlight on bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins who gives us a new 4-part (and maybe more) book series starting with Volume 1, “The Havana Syndrome,” available on June 17.
“I wanted to write a story about what happens when devotion and duty collide, giving my protagonist — FBI Agent Nathan Burke — a heart-pounding challenge to uncover a global conspiracy to save his wife, and the nation,” explains Jeff, whose critically-acclaimed books are refered to as “pulse-pounding and a must-read.”
Here’s the story behind The Havana Symdrome: FBI Agent Nathan Burke is in the middle of a high-stakes operation to dismantle a terrorist network when his world is turned upside down―his estranged wife, Reagan, falls victim to the mysterious and debilitating Havana Syndrome. Determined to reconcile with her and find the responsible party, he teams up with his former academy classmate Meili Chan and CIA liaison Bashir Gemayel to launch a rogue investigation, putting his own job at risk.
As more American spies and diplomats fall prey to this unexplained phenomenon, and terrorist attacks increase at home and abroad, Nathan unearths evidence of high-energy weapons and a conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of national security.
But when the CIA dismisses his findings, and the balance between his official and illicit missions teeters on the edge of collapse, Nathan must choose between his duty to his country and his devotion to Reagan. With his allies falling one by one to mysterious attacks and with friend and foe seemingly indistinguishable, Nathan must stop the spread of the Havana Syndrome and uncover the truth…or risk becoming its next victim.
Bestselling author Jeffrey James Higgins takes readers from the buzzing streets of Washington, D.C., to the eerie silence of Tallinn, Estonia, where suspense meets the stark realities of espionage, assassination, and deception. Perfect for fans of David Baldacci and Michael Connelly.
About Jeffrey James Higgins: The author of Furious and Unseen, Jeff bolsters his reputation for high-stakes, no-frills drama with this taut thrillers. Reviewers say there isn’t an ounce of fat on Higgins’ prose. Nearly every line of dialogue is a gut punch, and yet he can make a landscape come alive with a single high-impact sentence (“The pier was a mishmash of pulleys and taught metal lines, and it smelled of diesel fumes and saltwater.”)
His 2024 novel, Forever Technology, gives us characters that are so likable, and so on the ropes, that their day-to-day fight for survival is what makes this a page-turner. There’s no indication yet that Higgins is planning a series, but we would love to see one centered around this book’s main character, DEA Special Agent Adam Locke. As it stands, what separates Locke from the Jack Reachers of the literary landscape is his hearty, seemingly natural exploration of deeper themes. In this case, it’s nothing less than the future of immortality.
About Jeff’s Alexandria, VA restaurant, Elaine’s — Home of Elaine’s Literary Salon: Elaine’s modern Mediterranean cuisine is based on exquisite food found in Alexandria, Egypt. The unique style is best described as Middle Eastern with French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is located at 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. The 1880 building, the previous home of Bilbo Baggins for 38 years, has been completely renovated with a new look and feel. The restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River. Founders Park, The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront are only blocks away.
Co-owned by Jeff’s wife Cynthia, Elaine’s is named her grandmother. “When I was 12 years old and living in Cairo, Egypt, I promised my grandmother that one day I would own a restaurant and name it after her,” says Cynthia, who is proud to share her family’s recipes with diners throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Make your reservation today: elaines-restaurant.com.
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