From Potterheads to beachgoers, books make for the perfect escape. There’s no denying however, that as much as we loved finding out where District 13 really was, we all love the occasional homeland namedrop in our favourite books. 

Need some amazing reads set in Malta? We’ve got you covered. #bewarethespoilers

1. Man on Fire by A. J. Quinnell

Man on Fire. As in that one movie starring Denzel Washington (which totally left out the Maltese elements). The original telling is a 1980 thriller that tells the story of an American mercenary Creasy, hired to act as a bodyguard to ten-year-old Italian girl Pinta, the latter of whom gets captured by the Mafia. Throughout the course of the novel, Creasy finds himself planning revenge in Gozo, and even gets romantically involved with a Gozitan local. 

2. Artemis Fowl: The Seventh Dwarf by Eoin Colfer

Set between the first and second novels of the young adult science fiction-fantasy series, this short story namedrops Malta in its opening scenes. Following the pursuit of a peacekeeping elf named Holly, she is instructed to abandon the peace and quiet of the Maltese islands whilst holidaying in the magical abode of the Cominetto spa (yes, that tiny spit of land to the west of Comino), and chase after a dwarf with a long and sordid history of kleptomania. 

3. The Sword and the Scimitar by David Ball

The 1500s are arguably one of Malta’s most tumultuous times in history, which of course makes it the perfect dramatic setting for a story. In the lead up to the Great Siege of Malta, siblings Nico and Maria are separated when Nico is taken by Moorish slavers to become a merchant’s slave in Algiers. Alone in the Maltese islands, Maria must now learn to survive on her own with the help of a group of Jewish refugees while her brother works his way to the Sultan of the Ottoman Turks himself. 

4. The Phantom of Valletta by Vicki Hopkins

Written as a form of sequel to Gaston Leroux’s 20th century novel The Phantom of the Opera, Hopkins’ reimagining sees the Phantom move to Malta as a way to reinvent himself. He purchases the Royal Opera House in Valletta which has been destroyed in a fire, and plans to restore it to its former glory despite the prophecies of a woman foretelling his eventual undoing and his death. 

5. The Information Officer by Mark Mills

World War II is in full swing, and Max Chadwick, as information officer, is tasked with ensuring the people of the Maltese islands know that the British army is doing its utmost to keep the islands safe from daily Luftwaffe air-raids. In the middle of war, he discovers that a British officer is raping and murdering local women, and is determined to find the perpetrator as bombings hit an uptick. 

6. Like Bees To Honey by Caroline Smailes

Having been previously disowned by her family after falling pregnant as a university student in England, Nina flies to Malta with her son for a final visit to see them. Except that Malta doesn’t just hold a chance for closure. There are dead people too, and Nina can see them. She speaks to them, helping the spirits with their affairs and in turn, she may find redemption too.  

7. Il Colore Del Sole by Andrea Camilleri

Surname notwithstanding, Camilleri is a Sicilian author known for his popular Inspector Montalbano series. Creating his own detective-like persona, it follows the discovery of a diary supposedly written by the famed artist Caravaggio during the summer of 1607, notably the painter went into exile in Malta after evading homicide charges, allowing an reimagined inside look into the last months of Caravaggio’s life.

Know of any more titles that feature Malta? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Matthew Baldacchino

Self-titled resident SJW and expressionless in-house Head of Internal Marketing. Matt loves prepping vegan and vegetarian food, consumes way too much coffee, and has an unhealthy penchant for storyboarded Instagram Stories. When he's not trying to figure out social media policies, marketing strategies or cracking SEO conundrums, you can catch him as the host of Basically, Livestream Of Consciousness or Lovin Daily. Hit him up if you've got a story about the environment, arts and culture, health, politics and activism, or LGBTQI+ issues. He's also a doctor, but we don't talk about that.