The Family of Valletta – Legacy of the Knights, is a historical fiction short novel / novella set in Malta, 1825. The narrative follows an aristocratic family as they attempt to navigate British rule and a dwindling fortune. Baron Salvatore, the sharp minded ageing patriarch is convinced the family can find their salvation by uncovering the Templar treasure he believes to be hidden underneath Malta. His son, Constantino, is pulled into the search while also simultaneously becoming captivated by Carmelina, the daughter of a Sicilian baker. Carmelina is on her own journey as she tries to find her place in the world. Themes of legacy, moral ambiguity, treasure hunting, and Mediterranean culture and history are explored.
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Anthony C. M. Gauci is a Maltese-Australian writer with a deep love for Maltese and Mediterranean history and culture. Although his family migrated from Malta to Alexandria, and eventually to Australia, Gauci remains closely connected with his heritage – a connection that inspired him to write The Family of Valletta. While largely fictional, the story draws on elements of his family’s history.