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Kenneth Dekleva releases his 4th novel, The Expediter

When: Sunday, August 16, 2026 from 12-3pm

Where: 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Meet the Author: Dr. Kenneth Dekleva is a psychiatrist, former senior US diplomat, and spy novelist, who has been referred to as ‘the spy whisperer’ for his subtle, compelling, and realistic portrayals of the human and psychological side of espionage. Learn more here.

About his 4th novel: The Expediter — This intriguing novel begins in Texas, where Father Ishmael has retired to a quiet, pastoral life, ministering to a small parish after his time overseas as the Nuncio in Vienna, and before that, as a hostage negotiator in Mexico and Russia. One day, he gets a visit from a distressed, grieving mother, a Muslim refugee from Bosnia, whose 5-year-old son has been brutally murdered. After several months, the police have declared it a cold case because there are no witnesses or forensic evidence. The mother persuades Father Ishmael to investigate further, as there is one odd clue at the crime scene.

The Expediter

The murderer had scrawled a derogatory word for Muslims next to the child’s dead body. Father Ishmael reluctantly takes the case, which leads him to various overseas locations. Because the killer has likely fled overseas and is thought to be a foreigner, the trail leads Father Ishmael to Sarajevo, then Vienna. As more is learned, and the possible identity of the killer becomes apparent, this leads to a different type of denouement, which tests Father Ishmael’s faith and involves diplomatic, religious, and legal complexities. Diplomats, intelligence officers, Vatican officials, and other officials are involved. The case leads Father Ishmael to Jerusalem, Istanbul, Rome, Tel Aviv, and Tehran, and is a tale of redemption, healing, and Christian forgiveness, allowing Father Ishmael and the victim’s mother to achieve closure.

This international crime thriller draws on Dr. Dekleva’s experience and travels as a diplomat, as well as his prior work as a forensic psychiatrist specializing in criminal cases.

What critics are saying:

James Lawler, former CIA officer and author of A Traitor’s Tale, and other spy novels — “Dr. Kenneth Dekleva’s newest novel, The Expediter, is his most compelling work yet — a taut espionage thriller from one of the intelligence community’s most distinctive literary voices, with precise tradecraft, richly drawn characters, and the forensic psychiatrist’s unflinching understanding of why people betray, deceive, and sacrifice everything for something they believe in.”

Yariv Inbar, Mossad officer and author of Behind The Trigger — “This is an intelligent, morally complex thriller with a distinctive spiritual dimension and a bold imagination.”

About Ken’s last book: The Russian Diplomat’s Wife

“The Russian Diplomat’s Wife,” by Kenneth Dekleva

The unlikely protagonists of this new novel, set in Vienna, Austria – the city of spies – are a deep-cover American intelligence officer and a Russian woman, who have a chance encounter in a museum in Vienna, while viewing a Klimt painting. This encounter – a perfect spy recruitment – leads to further encounters, mystery, romance, and finally, tragedy and redemption. Along the way, the American’s agents – he is nicknamed Copernicus and they are named after planets – begin dying in Russia, Europe, and North Korea. Copernicus’ engagements with the Russian woman thereby draw further attention, from the CIA, Mossad, and Russia’s GRU, who are hunting down his agents. Eventually, Copernicus and the Russian woman are also tracked by a deep-cover Mossad officer, who offers his own enticements. The action and scenes in this powerful, psychologically nuanced espionage novel by Kenneth Dekleva – himself a former diplomat and psychiatrist with vast overseas experiences and travels – play out in Austria, America, Russia, Israel, and other European countries, leading to a deeply-moving denouement. Click here to buy the book!

What critics are saying:

“With deep insights into the minds of U.S. and Russian intelligence officers, Dr. Ken Dekleva’s The Russian Diplomat’s Wife is a masterful and authentic story of recruitment, passionate love and the extremely high stakes undeclared spies face in the field. Who can understand this landscape better than a psychiatrist with first-hand experience plumbing the psyche of operatives whose personal sacrifices help protect the security of our nation? A must read.” — David Percelay, former CBS News VP and media consultant
“A cool, knowing, and quietly devastating novel that brings Dekleva in the ranks of such thinking man spy novelists as Alan Furst and Eric Ambler. An unlikely love story between a Russian and an American plays out in a Vienna that is richly rendered with an illustrator’s eye for detail. A vibrant evocation of a city and an immensely assured portrayal of the human heart.”

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 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.

Elaine’s Restaurant

About Elaine’s: A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are based on exquisite food found in Alexandria, Egypt — a combination of Middle Eastern with 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 previous home for 38 years of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins.

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.