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A Death in Malta: An assassination and a family’s quest for justice
A FINANCIAL TIMES, PROSPECT MAGAZINE and GLOBE AND MAIL BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
An Irish Times Best Book of 2023, as chosen by Sally Hayden and Mia Levitin
'A murdered mother's fight for truth and justice lives on through the words of her youngest son' Angelina Jolie
'Essential reading for anyone who cares about the future of democracy' Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Twilight of Democracy and Red Famine
'An unforgettable profile in courage . . . Riveting and inspiring' Bill Browder, bestselling author of Freezing Order
When Paul Caruana Galizia was at work in London, his eldest brother called to say their mother Daphne had just been assassinated. That day, he returned to their native Malta and, with his two brothers and their father, began a quest to discover who was responsible for Daphne's murder and who stood to profit from ending the life of a journalist whose courage and determination threatened the powerful with the truth. Two years later, they did.
A Death in Malta is more than an investigation into the life and assassination of Daphne by her son Paul. It's an examination of the globalisation of corruption and what it has done to a modern European country; it's about that country's escape from colonialism to another kind of arrogant power; it's a personal history of writing when the stakes are high and the intimidation is violent. Above all, it's a universal homage to mothers and their sons.
An Irish Times Best Book of 2023, as chosen by Sally Hayden and Mia Levitin
'A murdered mother's fight for truth and justice lives on through the words of her youngest son' Angelina Jolie
'Essential reading for anyone who cares about the future of democracy' Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Twilight of Democracy and Red Famine
'An unforgettable profile in courage . . . Riveting and inspiring' Bill Browder, bestselling author of Freezing Order
When Paul Caruana Galizia was at work in London, his eldest brother called to say their mother Daphne had just been assassinated. That day, he returned to their native Malta and, with his two brothers and their father, began a quest to discover who was responsible for Daphne's murder and who stood to profit from ending the life of a journalist whose courage and determination threatened the powerful with the truth. Two years later, they did.
A Death in Malta is more than an investigation into the life and assassination of Daphne by her son Paul. It's an examination of the globalisation of corruption and what it has done to a modern European country; it's about that country's escape from colonialism to another kind of arrogant power; it's a personal history of writing when the stakes are high and the intimidation is violent. Above all, it's a universal homage to mothers and their sons.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2023
70 people are currently reading
1235 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
July 30, 2025
A great mix of memoir, journalism, and politics. A son investigates the murder of his mother, a Maltese journalist who reported on their government and exposed corruption. Well-written, full of depth, emotion, history, and the pursuit of justice.
April 5, 2024
BookTube prize read. Read for the Octofinals. I put in fourth place out of the six. Did not make it through to Quarterfinals.
I thought his book was interesting and easy to absorb on Audio. It is written by the son of Daphne Caruana Galizia about his mother's work against the corruption in Malta and her assassination by those in power. I know little about this part of the world other than geography and location. So most of the politics and information about Malta was new. It sent me scurrying to Wikipedia to learn more about the names and places written here. So as a well written source about Malta and some of its problems it was excellent. Ms Galizia devoted all her energies into watching the politics around her in Malta and exposing the rampant corruption she uncovered. The first 2/3 of the book covers both the early days writing for newspapers and the more recent times writing a blog until her death in 2017. It seemed clear early on who the political enemies were responsible for her assassination but proving it and then taking the case to court was what made up the last 1/3 of this expose`.
I did enjoy all I learned from this story. It wasn't a surprise to learn about the various forms of corruption which went on in this small country so close to Italy. That politicians found ways to line their own pockets at the expense of their citizens was also not a surprise. Ms. Galizia's work to expose politicians' sleazy ways was tireless and most impressive (this is her son's viewpoint and I was most pleased to see how much he appreciated and loved who his mother was). It was just at the end I had no way of telling the actual impact of all her work and the sacrifices. The culprits responsible for her death were imprisoned but I was unsure of the lasting impact of her work. It maybe just to soon to tell.
The audio is narrated by the author and it was excellent and added something to the story for me. I felt he was telling me his own story and it was quite personal.
I thought his book was interesting and easy to absorb on Audio. It is written by the son of Daphne Caruana Galizia about his mother's work against the corruption in Malta and her assassination by those in power. I know little about this part of the world other than geography and location. So most of the politics and information about Malta was new. It sent me scurrying to Wikipedia to learn more about the names and places written here. So as a well written source about Malta and some of its problems it was excellent. Ms Galizia devoted all her energies into watching the politics around her in Malta and exposing the rampant corruption she uncovered. The first 2/3 of the book covers both the early days writing for newspapers and the more recent times writing a blog until her death in 2017. It seemed clear early on who the political enemies were responsible for her assassination but proving it and then taking the case to court was what made up the last 1/3 of this expose`.
I did enjoy all I learned from this story. It wasn't a surprise to learn about the various forms of corruption which went on in this small country so close to Italy. That politicians found ways to line their own pockets at the expense of their citizens was also not a surprise. Ms. Galizia's work to expose politicians' sleazy ways was tireless and most impressive (this is her son's viewpoint and I was most pleased to see how much he appreciated and loved who his mother was). It was just at the end I had no way of telling the actual impact of all her work and the sacrifices. The culprits responsible for her death were imprisoned but I was unsure of the lasting impact of her work. It maybe just to soon to tell.
The audio is narrated by the author and it was excellent and added something to the story for me. I felt he was telling me his own story and it was quite personal.
November 19, 2023
I thought there wasn’t much more I could learn about Daphne Caruana Galizia, having obsessively read her columns and blog, as well as all the related news since her assassination. But here, her youngest son manages to pack three books’ worth into one smooth, well-written and expertly edited monument to her memory. It’s a brief history of Malta, showing, or at least trying to understand, what led Malta to its current corrupt state. It’s a detailed insider account of the fateful events of 2017, and the months and years since. And most of all, it’s a warm and heart-breaking depiction of Daphne, showing the vulnerable woman behind the defiant writing, and showing how, even before her death, she sacrificed her life for the Malta she believed in.
October 6, 2024
On the day that Daphne was assassinated, I was doing some part-time work in a pharmacy in the South of Malta. Whilst I was serving a patient, the sales girl ran up to me and shouted, "Jeff, Jeff, they killed Daphne Caruana Galizia!" The patient I was talking to, an elderly man, gave me a half-smile, said something like, "She got what she deserved, " and left. I was so stunned that I could not think of what to say.
Over the next few weeks, I heard similar comments from many people, including some close friends. What about Daphne made half of the Maltese population hate her so much? Well, for one thing, she fought for the truth, and the truth is that we Maltese are a corrupt nation, rotten to the core and cynical. Daphne criticised everything, and everyone around her, and most Maltese people still do not accept this as part of a healthy democratic environment, let alone try to change such behaviour, as mentioned earlier.
Despite making me feel so angry about everything that happened, this book still gave me a tiny sliver of hope that we can one day cure this diseased nation. The story of the Caruana Galizia family is a must-read for everyone, be they Maltese or foreign. Paul is a wonderful storyteller despite the grim content of the book, and I devoured the whole thing in a few days.
Over the next few weeks, I heard similar comments from many people, including some close friends. What about Daphne made half of the Maltese population hate her so much? Well, for one thing, she fought for the truth, and the truth is that we Maltese are a corrupt nation, rotten to the core and cynical. Daphne criticised everything, and everyone around her, and most Maltese people still do not accept this as part of a healthy democratic environment, let alone try to change such behaviour, as mentioned earlier.
Despite making me feel so angry about everything that happened, this book still gave me a tiny sliver of hope that we can one day cure this diseased nation. The story of the Caruana Galizia family is a must-read for everyone, be they Maltese or foreign. Paul is a wonderful storyteller despite the grim content of the book, and I devoured the whole thing in a few days.
November 22, 2023
A compelling work about the Malta journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia who devoted her life to exposing Malta's pervasive corruption, and speaking truth to power, and her sons who worked tirelessly to continue her work, to expose the various corruptions Galizia was trying to untangle, and to hold her murderers responsible, among them Malta's prime minister and more. Prior to reading this book, I knew nothing about Malta, its history or how it functions today, and while sometimes it was a little hard to follow the details of the corruptions, it is a fascinating read.
July 15, 2025
This book hits close to home—perhaps too close.
Brilliantly gripping and deeply unsettling, it serves as both a powerful testimonial and a wake-up call. The story is shocking, revolting, and undeniably eye-opening.
Yet, the glimmer of hope it offers feels dimmed by the grim realities of our current political climate. Impunity thrives, accountability is scarce, and justice often seems out of reach. A strong and engaged civil society is more crucial than ever.
Still, Daphne remains a lasting symbol—a reminder of what we fight for in the EU: democracy, transparency, and freedom of the press. Her legacy endures, even when justice does not.
Brilliantly gripping and deeply unsettling, it serves as both a powerful testimonial and a wake-up call. The story is shocking, revolting, and undeniably eye-opening.
Yet, the glimmer of hope it offers feels dimmed by the grim realities of our current political climate. Impunity thrives, accountability is scarce, and justice often seems out of reach. A strong and engaged civil society is more crucial than ever.
Still, Daphne remains a lasting symbol—a reminder of what we fight for in the EU: democracy, transparency, and freedom of the press. Her legacy endures, even when justice does not.
January 28, 2024
I am Maltese-born, raised away from the island after my British mother and Maltese father struck a deal with one another: if the Labour Party loses power, we leave Malta for the UK. We moved to the UK in 1999, when I was 6 years old, after the Labour government were unceremoniously dumped out of office in 1998, having been in power for just 1 year and 313 days.
For a long time after that, my understanding of Maltese politics was minimal and based on what my dad had told me: Labour = good, Nationalists = bad. My only awareness of Daphne Caruana Galizia at that time was that she wrote a blog which made her wildly unpopular with many of the island’s powerful people. In fact, my Dad abjectly hated her for her criticisms of the Labour leader, Joseph Muscat, and as a result I didn’t bother to read it.
Daphne’s assassination shifted my perspective dramatically. I started to question why somebody would have her murdered - to what end? I followed the case as it started to unravel, implicating people closer and closer to the heart of Muscat’s Labour government, and it was then that I realised: she had been right all along.
******
I have always had a vague inkling of the corruption that is woven through Maltese society, but I do not exaggerate when I say that Paul Caruana Galizia’s writing has truly enlightened me. From the partisan political history that I wasn’t taught, to the staggering misappropriation of resources and funding that could have been used to make Malta a better place and instead ended up lining the pockets of the most powerful, he put it across in a way that made me think “why didn’t I realise this before now?”
The same applies to Daphne herself. I truly wish I’d been able to appreciate this amazing woman while she was alive, her defiance in the face of Maltese society’s expectations and her drive to do what was right at any cost were truly remarkable. She did not deserve to die, but those who sought to oppress could never have imagined the spark that came from her death and the flames that continue to grow from it.
If you’re reading this and do not already, I urge you to follow the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation. Her legacy lives on through the work of her sons and their team who continue to fight for justice for Daphne and other journalists around the world.
For a long time after that, my understanding of Maltese politics was minimal and based on what my dad had told me: Labour = good, Nationalists = bad. My only awareness of Daphne Caruana Galizia at that time was that she wrote a blog which made her wildly unpopular with many of the island’s powerful people. In fact, my Dad abjectly hated her for her criticisms of the Labour leader, Joseph Muscat, and as a result I didn’t bother to read it.
Daphne’s assassination shifted my perspective dramatically. I started to question why somebody would have her murdered - to what end? I followed the case as it started to unravel, implicating people closer and closer to the heart of Muscat’s Labour government, and it was then that I realised: she had been right all along.
******
I have always had a vague inkling of the corruption that is woven through Maltese society, but I do not exaggerate when I say that Paul Caruana Galizia’s writing has truly enlightened me. From the partisan political history that I wasn’t taught, to the staggering misappropriation of resources and funding that could have been used to make Malta a better place and instead ended up lining the pockets of the most powerful, he put it across in a way that made me think “why didn’t I realise this before now?”
The same applies to Daphne herself. I truly wish I’d been able to appreciate this amazing woman while she was alive, her defiance in the face of Maltese society’s expectations and her drive to do what was right at any cost were truly remarkable. She did not deserve to die, but those who sought to oppress could never have imagined the spark that came from her death and the flames that continue to grow from it.
If you’re reading this and do not already, I urge you to follow the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation. Her legacy lives on through the work of her sons and their team who continue to fight for justice for Daphne and other journalists around the world.
July 30, 2025
A Death in Malta: An Assassination and a Family's Quest for Justice by Paul Caruana Galizia had been on my radar for quite awhile. I knew this was a recent case, but for some reason I had it stuck in my head that it from a long time ago. What they went through is horrifying.
January 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this, even though I’d always avoided books about Daphne Caruana Galizia (no particular reason other than having worked on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering policy when she was murdered, so having read quite a bit about her then).
The very personal nature of the book works really well - it helps explain why she would stay in Malta given how much danger she’d been in for decades before her death, and given how corrupt the country is. It was that final point which was most shocking. Even though I knew that Malta had been the EU’s problem child for corruption, I hadn’t fully understood just how deeply-set (and frankly extraordinary) its problems were. Having a journalist tell that story in a way that’s designed to both remember his mother and communicate how damaged Malta is works really well.
The very personal nature of the book works really well - it helps explain why she would stay in Malta given how much danger she’d been in for decades before her death, and given how corrupt the country is. It was that final point which was most shocking. Even though I knew that Malta had been the EU’s problem child for corruption, I hadn’t fully understood just how deeply-set (and frankly extraordinary) its problems were. Having a journalist tell that story in a way that’s designed to both remember his mother and communicate how damaged Malta is works really well.
March 3, 2024
If you are Maltese, a must-read on how Malta's history and culture shape the island and eventually the assassination of the woman who wanted to change things for the better.
If you aren't Maltese, a beautiful homage to Daphne Caruana Galizia with a background of everything you need to now about Malta.
If you aren't Maltese, a beautiful homage to Daphne Caruana Galizia with a background of everything you need to now about Malta.
February 21, 2025
One of the best books I have read- beautifully and movingly crafted, written and read by Paul Caruana Galizia. It gives an excellent description of Maltese history and Maltese Society which in turn sets the stage for the tragic assassination of his mother, Maltese investigative journalist, Daphne Caruana Galizia.
His writing and Maltese lilt transported me back a holiday I had on to the sunny island eight years ago which I now realise was in complete obliviousness to the ingrained corruption prevalent. I was transported back to the stony landscape, beautiful buildings of Valletta, blue seas and beach vibes which Paul has interwoven into his story. The details are precise as he builds the case against his mother’s killers but he still manages to retain the humanity of his mother and family throughout it all.
His writing and Maltese lilt transported me back a holiday I had on to the sunny island eight years ago which I now realise was in complete obliviousness to the ingrained corruption prevalent. I was transported back to the stony landscape, beautiful buildings of Valletta, blue seas and beach vibes which Paul has interwoven into his story. The details are precise as he builds the case against his mother’s killers but he still manages to retain the humanity of his mother and family throughout it all.
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October 18, 2024Þessi er ótrúleg, mæli með í hljóðbókalestri höfundar!
April 7, 2024
On the afternoon of 16 October 2017 Daphne Caruana Galizia was hurrying to a meeting with her solicitors, a meeting she had forgotten, but she never made it. Some 40 seconds down the country lane where she lived, Triq il-Bidnija, a car bomb that had been placed under her leased Peugeot 108 was detonated. She never stood a chance of surviving. An event that would resonate around the world, albeit briefly in some places, and would have wide reaching effects which are still being felt and yet to be resolved.
She was a remarkable woman, brave, determined, forthright but most of all she had a strong sense of morality, of determining right from wrong. Fellow blogger Manuel Delia, a former Nationalist Party official had this to say at the news of her death "…the only ethical voice left. She was the only one talking about right and wrong."
In this book her youngest son sets out the background to the assassination (that effectively is what it was) and the family’s long and arduous path to justice, one that is still far from complete. The author has followed his mother into the profession of journalism and certainly the part of the book dedicated to the investigation has all the hallmarks of great investigative journalism, it is precise, cogent, analytical and dispassionate. It is much more than this though as within the first half of the book he paints a thoughtful and passionate biography of a formidable but deeply caring woman.
We start with a little history of the island, which is great background even for those who may be familiar with the island. Then we get down to the serious, dirty world of post-independence (from Britain) politics, with the Labour Party leaning quite far to the left and right/centre Nationalist Party.
Daphne was destined to become a writer from birth, being named by her mother who was reading a Daphne du Maurier novel at the beginning of her labour. In a typically Maltese scenario, she was informed by the nuns that Daphne was an unacceptable name being neither a saint or mentioned in the bible and so would not be registered. We see the struggles that Daphne went through to even start a career at a time when opportunities for women were restricted, especially so in a conservative and catholic country. Determination gets her there, not only did she become the first regular female columnist but the first of either sex to eschew anonymity and publish under a byline. This being a fine example of the fear and pressure journalists found themselves under, as she wrote ‘fear demoralises people’ and the courage of one woman to stand up and be counted, to press for truth and transparency. She was to come to be regarded as the Maltese Cassandra.
Not one to compromise she found more and more restrictions being placed on what she could write in print she resorted to blogging her more explosive exposes online. As indication of the impact of her writing and its reach, it can be noted that some posts had more that double the island’s population in hits. Her peak was to coincide with the leaking of the Panama Papers, just the sort of expose she would revel in, and it wouldn’t take long for her to uncover serious corruption in Malta. She had always written about corruption, the different here was more noughts could be added to the sums involved. This also set in motion a chain of events that would end in that car bomb.
The investigation section brings into stark contrast the ugliness behind the power in Malta. The nepotism that becomes almost incestuous, patronage, money laundering, the passports for cash all making Malta the dirty money capital of the EU. Look in any small-town local newspaper and you will see the familiar faces of the same dignitaries, week in week out and it was just the same in Malta, except it is a country and so the stakes are much higher. If the First Minister commits a crime how can justice be served by a senior investigating officer who is married to one of his ministers? Here the book is uncompromising, much in the style of his mother he leaves no doubt where he stands.
For the Caruana Galizia family the fight for justice continues and I wish them well.
She was a remarkable woman, brave, determined, forthright but most of all she had a strong sense of morality, of determining right from wrong. Fellow blogger Manuel Delia, a former Nationalist Party official had this to say at the news of her death "…the only ethical voice left. She was the only one talking about right and wrong."
In this book her youngest son sets out the background to the assassination (that effectively is what it was) and the family’s long and arduous path to justice, one that is still far from complete. The author has followed his mother into the profession of journalism and certainly the part of the book dedicated to the investigation has all the hallmarks of great investigative journalism, it is precise, cogent, analytical and dispassionate. It is much more than this though as within the first half of the book he paints a thoughtful and passionate biography of a formidable but deeply caring woman.
We start with a little history of the island, which is great background even for those who may be familiar with the island. Then we get down to the serious, dirty world of post-independence (from Britain) politics, with the Labour Party leaning quite far to the left and right/centre Nationalist Party.
Daphne was destined to become a writer from birth, being named by her mother who was reading a Daphne du Maurier novel at the beginning of her labour. In a typically Maltese scenario, she was informed by the nuns that Daphne was an unacceptable name being neither a saint or mentioned in the bible and so would not be registered. We see the struggles that Daphne went through to even start a career at a time when opportunities for women were restricted, especially so in a conservative and catholic country. Determination gets her there, not only did she become the first regular female columnist but the first of either sex to eschew anonymity and publish under a byline. This being a fine example of the fear and pressure journalists found themselves under, as she wrote ‘fear demoralises people’ and the courage of one woman to stand up and be counted, to press for truth and transparency. She was to come to be regarded as the Maltese Cassandra.
Not one to compromise she found more and more restrictions being placed on what she could write in print she resorted to blogging her more explosive exposes online. As indication of the impact of her writing and its reach, it can be noted that some posts had more that double the island’s population in hits. Her peak was to coincide with the leaking of the Panama Papers, just the sort of expose she would revel in, and it wouldn’t take long for her to uncover serious corruption in Malta. She had always written about corruption, the different here was more noughts could be added to the sums involved. This also set in motion a chain of events that would end in that car bomb.
The investigation section brings into stark contrast the ugliness behind the power in Malta. The nepotism that becomes almost incestuous, patronage, money laundering, the passports for cash all making Malta the dirty money capital of the EU. Look in any small-town local newspaper and you will see the familiar faces of the same dignitaries, week in week out and it was just the same in Malta, except it is a country and so the stakes are much higher. If the First Minister commits a crime how can justice be served by a senior investigating officer who is married to one of his ministers? Here the book is uncompromising, much in the style of his mother he leaves no doubt where he stands.
For the Caruana Galizia family the fight for justice continues and I wish them well.
May 11, 2025
Country #5 - Malta. This one probably had the biggest impact on me of the books I've read on the trip so far. Devastating, infuriating but inspiring. Fascinating and heartbreaking to read while exploring Malta, particularly with how recent the events of the books are, and the ongoing fight for justice. Real eye opener, great read!
July 2, 2024
The constant use of nicknames was a bit too much for me, but besides that, this is an amazing insight into Maltese politics. As someone who studied in Malta for a year, I had a vague idea of what happened to Daphne, but still, this book was eye-opening. When people ask me why I didn't want to live in Malta long-term, corruption and the political issues are always part of the answer. Still, living in Malta as an outsider, you don't notice 90% of what is described in this book.
Very glad to have read this important book which I picked up on Republic Street, Valletta's main street, which plays a big role at the end of the story. The mentions of familiar places, such as the church where my graduation was held and beaches where I hung out with friends, were reminders that this is a real story happening to real people in a country I know and love. Going there will never be the same.
Hopefully Malta will change for the better into the beautiful country it deep down already is. Verità u ġustizzja ❤️
Very glad to have read this important book which I picked up on Republic Street, Valletta's main street, which plays a big role at the end of the story. The mentions of familiar places, such as the church where my graduation was held and beaches where I hung out with friends, were reminders that this is a real story happening to real people in a country I know and love. Going there will never be the same.
Hopefully Malta will change for the better into the beautiful country it deep down already is. Verità u ġustizzja ❤️
June 29, 2024
Daphne Caruna Galicia would be so proud of her sons. It's mind boggling how much corruption happens in a EU member country.
November 7, 2023
"The Maltese had been skittish about a truly free press and they'd remain so. Malta still didn't really have a culture of free expression. And the press everywhere is always dependent on something: on law, money, its owners, and, above all, the surrounding culture."
In a country steeped in decades of government corruption, a famous Maltese journalist is assassinated and her family continue to finish her work while pushing for her murderer.
Written by one of her three sons, Galizia weaves the history of Malta, a country that's been conquered over and over, resulting in a state of what the author's mother called "amoral familism," where people work to "maximize their family's short-run advantage and assume others will do the same." This paved the way for Malta to be ruled as an autocracy, with rulers who kept a tight fist, deploying their own cronies, and taking control of what benefitted them the most. In the past few decades, at the start of the deceased journalist's work, the county is steeped in government corruption throughout.
I knew nothing about Malta and had never heard of this family. What will probably strike you the most about this book is how incredible this author's mother was. She was a trailblazer, one who pushed against waves of ambivalence, not discouraged by being the only one standing up against a powerful block even with constant death threats to her and her family. She was the singular voice of courage and resistance and she set a precedent for her family to follow in her wake.
The repercussions of what she uncovered had extraordinary influence on the economic state and validity of Malta to continue within the EU - forcing the exposure of corruption at all levels.
You have to admire the sons who followed in her path and the dedication that they've put forth to bring the love they have for their mother and their country to the page to share this with the world.
The type of journalistic writing did remind me, despite the very different subject mater, to Farrow's CATCH AND KILL. There is a lot of intricacy in the cover-ups, the waiting and Galizia details it honestly.
In a country steeped in decades of government corruption, a famous Maltese journalist is assassinated and her family continue to finish her work while pushing for her murderer.
Written by one of her three sons, Galizia weaves the history of Malta, a country that's been conquered over and over, resulting in a state of what the author's mother called "amoral familism," where people work to "maximize their family's short-run advantage and assume others will do the same." This paved the way for Malta to be ruled as an autocracy, with rulers who kept a tight fist, deploying their own cronies, and taking control of what benefitted them the most. In the past few decades, at the start of the deceased journalist's work, the county is steeped in government corruption throughout.
I knew nothing about Malta and had never heard of this family. What will probably strike you the most about this book is how incredible this author's mother was. She was a trailblazer, one who pushed against waves of ambivalence, not discouraged by being the only one standing up against a powerful block even with constant death threats to her and her family. She was the singular voice of courage and resistance and she set a precedent for her family to follow in her wake.
The repercussions of what she uncovered had extraordinary influence on the economic state and validity of Malta to continue within the EU - forcing the exposure of corruption at all levels.
You have to admire the sons who followed in her path and the dedication that they've put forth to bring the love they have for their mother and their country to the page to share this with the world.
The type of journalistic writing did remind me, despite the very different subject mater, to Farrow's CATCH AND KILL. There is a lot of intricacy in the cover-ups, the waiting and Galizia details it honestly.
January 24, 2025
This book is incredibly well-written and keeps you wanting to read more and more. The case in itself is heartbreaking for multiple reasons; seeing the breakdown of your own country's institutions, seeing how your country's 'leaders' were conspiring to cover-up a murder that was enabled by those same people...but mostly, this book allows you to get to know the person that was Daphne Caruana Galizia and not 'simply' the assassinated journalist. The way the book builds up to brutal assassination is nothing short of chilling - it can only be imagined how difficult it must have been for Paul to write and recount all the episodes. I am thankful for this book and would recommend it to anyone; especially Maltese. It sheds light on; the dangers of idolising politicians blindly, the dangers of having the wrong people in the right positions, and the lengths greed can take mankind. While closure is arguably impossible to achieve for those closest to Daphne, I hope that somewhere along the line, at least, justice is served.
November 23, 2023
Such a beautiful homage to duty, truth, democracy and civilization.
Malta like most of the countries that joined the EU emerging either from colonial or dictatorial institutions where you have to do what it takes to get by is heavily vulnerable to corruption. Corruption is present at all levels and people are used to it.
Sadly a brilliant journalist had to die and her sons had to spend years fighting so that the ugly head of corruption is shown. But corruption is present in almost all states in the south and east of Europe. Capitalism systems helped it develop. It brings money and money bring power. A lot of power means impunity, means subjecting a state to your own interests and whoever stands in your way is blown to pieces.
We talk about Malta as a mafia state, well there might be quite a number of other examples that simply lay low but are in the same situation.
Malta like most of the countries that joined the EU emerging either from colonial or dictatorial institutions where you have to do what it takes to get by is heavily vulnerable to corruption. Corruption is present at all levels and people are used to it.
Sadly a brilliant journalist had to die and her sons had to spend years fighting so that the ugly head of corruption is shown. But corruption is present in almost all states in the south and east of Europe. Capitalism systems helped it develop. It brings money and money bring power. A lot of power means impunity, means subjecting a state to your own interests and whoever stands in your way is blown to pieces.
We talk about Malta as a mafia state, well there might be quite a number of other examples that simply lay low but are in the same situation.
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May 29, 2025I’m not going to rate this book, because I’m not going to rate someone’s experience and thoughts/feelings just because I didn’t find the book to be to my taste.
Narrator Rating: 2.0 stars
The author/narrator had a heavy accent, as to be expected. However, I think for an English audiobook, it would have been better to have someone else read it, as he was hard to understand at times. I had to listen to the book at a much lower speed than my usual non-fiction speed.
Read if you're in the mood for something: emotional, informative, sad, & medium-paced
Content Warnings
Narrator Rating: 2.0 stars
The author/narrator had a heavy accent, as to be expected. However, I think for an English audiobook, it would have been better to have someone else read it, as he was hard to understand at times. I had to listen to the book at a much lower speed than my usual non-fiction speed.
Read if you're in the mood for something: emotional, informative, sad, & medium-paced
Content Warnings
February 12, 2024
A recounting of the assassination by car bomb of the Maltese Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia written by one of her sons. The audiobook is also narrated by the author--he has an accent but I got used to it. The book provides a nice short history of Malta at the beginning, and at the end recounts the trials of the assassins.
Caruana Galizia started out exposing petty corrupton by politicians, but eventually uncovered large scale corruption and money laundering, helped in part by the Panama papers. This is where the book got harder to follow but I stuck with it and eventually figured out who the cast of characters were by the time they went to trial.
Caruana Galizia started out exposing petty corrupton by politicians, but eventually uncovered large scale corruption and money laundering, helped in part by the Panama papers. This is where the book got harder to follow but I stuck with it and eventually figured out who the cast of characters were by the time they went to trial.
May 30, 2025
I thought I was selecting a murder mystery to feed my sense of place while holidaying in Malta. Turns out to be a memoir, a true crime, and one that I followed at the time.
Written by the son of Daphne Caruana Galizia, a Maltese journalist, who, like our own Veronica Guerin, got too close to the truth and paid the ultimate price.
Not what I expected, but walking the streets he speaks of, visiting the beaches and landmarks, it's an education in what we chose not to see when travelling.
His journalist style, mixed with his heartfelt experiences, makes this a riveting read.
Written by the son of Daphne Caruana Galizia, a Maltese journalist, who, like our own Veronica Guerin, got too close to the truth and paid the ultimate price.
Not what I expected, but walking the streets he speaks of, visiting the beaches and landmarks, it's an education in what we chose not to see when travelling.
His journalist style, mixed with his heartfelt experiences, makes this a riveting read.
December 28, 2023
Investigative biography of a Maltese journalist murdered by the state, for her thorough investigation of state corruption and greed….
Book was written/ compiled by her youngest son. Very moving and highly interesting narrative, and easy to follow….
Malta’s corrupt institutions / government placed it in league with Hungary and Poland (until very recently).
European journalists and governmental bodies were instrumental in bringing the murderers and accused politicians to justice…..
Book was written/ compiled by her youngest son. Very moving and highly interesting narrative, and easy to follow….
Malta’s corrupt institutions / government placed it in league with Hungary and Poland (until very recently).
European journalists and governmental bodies were instrumental in bringing the murderers and accused politicians to justice…..
August 3, 2024
What’s your favourite colour? Cerise? Mums bookclub?
January 14, 2025
Absolutely devoured this book. What an incredibly strong and inspiring journalist Daphne was. And her family’s fight for justice!!!!! Incredible.
March 25, 2025
A very good read about what was happening at the time the journalist was assassinated and how it happened. And the mastermind behind all this is still in question
January 28, 2024
This story reinforces the importance of an educated electorate and of a free press. It gives an appreciation for the human rights easily taken for granted in most western societies.
August 30, 2025
very interesting to read while in Malta. things are not as they seem.
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August 12, 2024Son of renowned Maltese journalist Daphne Galizia tells story of his mother's fight against Maltese corruption which led to her assassination by car bomb in 2017. Daphne was a one man army, the only voice raised against government-business nefarious dealings. She was a marked woman for years. Author spends much time unravelling the assassination plot which is often confusing to anyone without a background in Maltese affairs. It was a seriously amateurish plot and when revealed brought down the Maltese government. This book is testament to an enormously brave woman. I hope Malta has built up a press that no longer relies on one person.
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