GOOD COP...
...BAD TROUBLE
Kelly was a pro until his niece was murdered right before his eyes. His family says he failed her, but Kelly can't share his one shocking, secret, criminal act of vengeance. Now, fellow detectives digging into another case can end Kelly's career and send him to jail.
Kelly must ignore this looming doom and focus on protecting a boy from his pedophile father in a slam-dunk trial. Except the hotshot defense attorney is his new girlfriend, Rachel Cohen, who shares wonderful news but hides her duty to destroy him on the stand. And she can't reveal she's investigating a twisted team of drug cops. While his friends work in secret to save him, Kelly is forced to the breaking point - and beyond.
About the Author :
Mark Bergin spent four years as a newspaper reporter, winning the Virginia Press Association Award for general news reporting, before joining the Alexandria, Virginia, Police Department in 1986. Twice named Police Officer of the Year for narcotics and robbery investigations, he served in most of the posts described in APPREHENSION, his debut novel. Kirkus Reviews calls APPREHENSION "compelling," and says Bergin is a "gritty and authentic new voice in police fiction." His short stories appear in several Anthony Award-winning anthologies including SCATTERED, SMOTHERED, COVERED AND CHUNKED; LAND OF 10,000 THRILLS; and PARANOIA BLUES. Write him at berginwriter@gmail.com or follow at markberginwriter.com
Review :
"Excellent debut from Mark Bergin. He writes with authenticity, because he lived the life and truly knows what it's like to be a cop. That's what makes Apprehension such a great read and draws you in from the start." -David Swinson, author of THE SECOND GIRL and FROM THE DUST
"...a great read written by a real cop. It delves into the contemporary workings of policing from the inside out. The book succeeds in capturing the emotion, humor, ambiguity, fear, complexity and excitement of being a police officer by telling real life stories thinly layered in veiled fiction to protect the innocent. I enjoyed reading APPREHENSION very much, and you will too." -David P. Baker, Retired Chief of Police, Alexandria, VA.
"A terrific first novel that combines non-stop action, an authentic gritty world, and a hero to restore your faith in heroes. Crime fiction has a terrific new voice in Mark Bergin, a former Alexandria Virginia police officer, who knows what he's writing about." -Christina Kovac, author of WATCH US FALL
"A masterful writer. Pick this up and enjoy the read from an author who has been there and writes from experience and context that is virtually unmatched since the Joseph Wambaugh days." -Hassan Aden, Retired Chief of Police, Greenville, NC.
"An exciting journey replete with interesting and engaging characters in a police adventure where the city's drug infested streets come to life. It is a must read." -Ken Howard, Retired Captain, Alexandria Police Department and first commander of The Jump Out Boys narcotics unit.
"An authentic and gripping cop story. Through the lens of retired police lieutenant Mark Bergin, the reader is provided with a unique insight into the inner workings of the criminal justice system. The plot twists are intriguing and keep you guessing." -David Nye, Chief of Police, Fredericksburg VA.
"Compelling...Bergin, a former reporter and a policeman, writes with authority and empathy about cops. A gritty and authentic new voice in police fiction. -Kirkus Reviews
"Set in the shadows of Washington, D.C., Mark Bergin's APPREHENSION tells the story of wounded, weary police officers trying to keep their city safe and their lives as normal as possible. A police procedural that extends beyond daily practice and detail to get to the heart of its conflicted characters, APPREHENSION is also a timely testament to the courage of police officers, and the complexity of the obstacles they face. A must-read for anyone curious to know the true intricacies of the men and women who serve in law enforcement." --E.A. Aymar, author of WHEN SHE LEFT
