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A Death in Malta

By: Paul Caruana Galizia
Narrated by: Paul Caruana Galizia
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

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.

©2023 Paul Caruana Galizia (P)2023 Penguin Audio
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Critic reviews

"Daphne Caruana Galizia was a trailblazer, exposing the kleptocratic practices of Malta's elite - the same practices now found all across Europe and North America. The story of her heroic life, her tragic death and its aftermath, told by her son, are essential reading for anyone who cares about the future of democracy" (Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of TWILIGHT OF DEMOCRACY and RED FAMINE)

"A murdered mother's fight for truth and justice lives on through the words of her youngest son" (Angelina Jolie)

"An unforgettable profile in courage: that of a journalist who risked her life to hold power and corruption to account; and that of her family, whose fight for justice exemplifies the intensity and ingenuity we must bring to the defense of democracy wherever the tide rises against it. Riveting and inspiring" (Bill Browder, bestselling author of FREEZING ORDER)

What listeners say about A Death in Malta

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Hearing the story from the author

Narrated brilliantly and so courageous I have so much admiration for the whole family especially Daphne

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A tragic tale, beautifully written

This brilliant book is a perfect ode to an incredible woman. Thank you for sharing this with the world.

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Amazing account of a tragic story

What an amazing take, so well written. I listened in disbelief at the scale of corruption on such a beautiful island.,it is so so sad that Daphne had to die to expose the truth. Paul, I know you say it here’s no going back to normal. The work you and your brothers have done is a credit to your mum and what she stood for. Your stoicism leaves me in awe. This will make Daphne so proud as both a mother and journalist. You are a credit to your mum.

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Amazingly Brave Woman and her Boys

I have booked a week in Malta in June on foot of reading this book. I want to see the monument to this wonderful woman. Hard to believe, perhaps naively on my part, that such corruption still exists in an EU country in the 21st Century. A powerful story, written and read beautifully by a loving son.

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Haunting and beautifully written

A comprehensive tale of an incredible woman’s life, whose life was tragically and violently ended because she knew too much. Simultaneously a portrayal of Maltese history, culture and an honest account of what it is like to live on this surreal diametrical island.

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Amazing Boys of an Amazing Mum

People like the sons of this targeted woman are the way we progress, painful step by painful step, towards a better future. What a story, beautifully and honestly told.

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Murder in Paradise

Well, Malta might well be seen as a paradise by the rest of the world - and it is a beautiful country. But this desperately bleak and harrowing story may change your perception of the Mediterranean island. Daphne Anne Caruana Galizia was a blogger and anti-corruption activist, who reported on political events in Malta and was known internationally for her investigation of the Panama Papers. She was aged 53 when she was murdered by a car bomb in 2017. Here, her son Paul Caruana Galizia recounts the run-up to the tragedy - and the fallout. His mother was the victim of malign and uncontrollable forces unleashed by her forensic investigations of Malta’s corrupt government, including the activities of its former prime minister Joseph Muscat and his associates. Her family reacted by fighting for justice, with a high degree of success. It turned them into campaigners, lobbyists and investigators at a time when they were trying to grips with their mother’s death. The repercussions for their private lives were profound. Despite the compelling and disturbing subject matter, the book dawdles in its early stages. There’s an excessive amount about Maltese history - and arguably too much about Daphne’s family background. Paul devotes a lot of time to discussing a job he once had selling Yellow Pages, which didn’t seem to have a lot of relevance. The narration by Paul is poignant - it must’ve been extremely hard for him and he deserves credit for taking it on - but I struggled a bit with it. I didn’t feel it worked in technical terms - it was too monotonous, and the diction wasn’t clear enough. That is probably a harsh judgment - and others won’t have the same opinion - but I did find it a little problematic. The narration speed for me was too low on the default setting; I speeded it up to 1.45. Those relatively minor concerns aside, the final sections of the book are excellent, as the mystery unravels and some of those responsible begin to be identified and held to account. Ultimately, it is an inspiring story and one that underscores the great value of investigative reporting - and its immense risks.

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Brilliant and devastating read.

Thank you for sharing this story with us, Paul. I listened to it with tears in my eyes.

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