Author Noel-Marie Fletcher Brings an Untold Story of the Nuremberg Trials to Alexandria
What was it like to report from the world's most famous war crimes trials? Award-winning journalist Noel-Marie Fletcher shares the answer at Elaine's Literary Salon
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Award-winning foreign correspondent and author Noel-Marie Fletcher will visit Elaine’s Restaurant in Old Town, Alexandria, on Thursday, July 16, for an intimate conversation about her acclaimed book, Reporting the Nuremberg Trials: How Journalists Covered Live Nazi Trials & Executions. Fletcher’s research offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at how journalists covered one of history’s most consequential war crimes trials.
Live Interview Will Reveal Pressures Journalists Faced
The evening will feature an in-depth interview hosted by Jeffrey James Higgins—a bestselling thriller novelist, retired federal supervisory special agent, and co-owner of Elaine’s. The conversation is expected to pull back the curtain on how a press corps of international journalists managed to broadcast the details of the post-World War II tribunals to a grieving, eager world under intense logistical and psychological pressure.
Unearthing the media’s toughest assignment, Fletcher, a career foreign correspondent whose reporting has taken her from the high courts of Hong Kong to the streets of Beijing, turns her investigative eye backward in time for her latest work. Reporting the Nuremberg Trials explores the unique challenges faced by the hundreds of media professionals who descended upon Germany in 1945.
Fletcher’s book relies on extensive primary sources, diaries, and historical archives to show how radio broadcasters, print journalists, and photographers navigated a ruined city while translating complex legal proceedings into breaking news.
A Conversation Between Two Storytellers
The evening’s conversation will be led by Jeffrey James Higgins, co-owner of Elaine’s Restaurant and Literary Salon with his wife, Cynthia. Higgins is a bestselling thriller author and retired DEA supervisory special agent whose distinguished law enforcement career earned him the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism. He draws on decades of experience combating terrorism across five continents in novels including The Havana Syndrome.
With careers built on investigating complex international events and telling compelling stories, Higgins and Fletcher bring complementary perspectives to the discussion. Their conversation is expected to explore not only the historical significance of the Nuremberg Trials, but also the human challenges faced by the journalists who reported on one of history’s defining moments.
A New Hub for the DMV Literary Community
Since opening at 208 Queen Street—the historic building that formerly housed the long-running Bilbo Baggins restaurant—Elaine’s has quickly evolved from a neighborhood Mediterranean dining spot into a major hub for the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area’s literary scene.
Attendees of the upcoming event can enjoy Elaine’s signature Egyptian-inspired Mediterranean cuisine while listening to the discussion. An audience Q&A session and book signing with Fletcher will follow the interview.
Space for the author event is limited, and organizers highly recommend making reservations in advance. For more information and to secure a seat, visit Elaine’s Literary Salon.
📚 IF YOU GO: Noel-Marie Fletcher at Elaine’s Literary Salon
What:
An evening with award-winning journalist and author Noel-Marie Fletcher discussing Reporting the Nuremberg Trials.
Where:
Elaine’s Restaurant
208 Queen Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 571-970-0517
When:
Thursday, July 16, 2026
6:00 p.m.
Details:
The program includes a live interview, audience Q&A, and book signing. Reservations are recommended.
