Death in Valletta
An Edinburgh police detective is summoned to the island of Malta in this gripping and atmospheric murder mystery set in the Victorian era.
It is the summer of 1880, and DI Sam McQueen has been called away from the grey, damp streets of Edinburgh to investigate a case on the oppressively hot Mediterranean island of Malta. The local police chief is distinctly unwelcoming toward the interloper—but has no choice in the matter, since Admiral Collingwood’s wealthy widow insists that her husband’s fatal fall off the roof of their villa was no accident. Fortunately, McQueen gets help from a police physician and the resourceful daughter of a newspaper editor—support he will need as he tangles with local aristocrats, unearths secrets and conspiracies, and is faced with more suspicious deaths that may or may not be connected to the late admiral.
Reviews of Death in Valletta
… an immensely enjoyable read, you find yourself slowly being engrossed in a fascinating combination of the detectives personality and historical context of the story. If you enjoy crime fiction, historical novels and Malta then it’s a must read!
Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I had a great time getting to know Malta with Sam McQueen.
The setting on Malta is unusual and intriguing and the mystery is well put together and well written with vivid, relevant descriptions.
Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this book. The central character, Inspector Sam McQueen is very likeable, a real rough diamond. The setting of the story, on the island of Malta, makes for a very interesting background – the author obviously knows the island and its history well … an extremely satisfying read.
Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
From the first page the reader is transported to the historical city of Valletta in 1880. Really atmospheric in such a way that the reader can picture being in Malta. Combine with that a latter-day Rustic Rebus and you have DI McQueen from 1880 Edinburgh. It really works. The reflection of colonial Malta, 84 years prior to Independence is almost disturbingly accurate and sets the scene so well for the relationship between Malta and England at that time.
Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lynne Marie Taylor 