The action in this thriller takes place in a country called Malita, except for an interlude in Sicily. The fact that there is a Gozo Channel boat with this same name gives the game away.

Malita is another name for Malta and this murder thriller takes place in a Malta with place names just slightly tweaked. The names are decidedly Maltese - Edward Camilleri and his wife Lavinia Camilleri Bianco, their daughter Margareta, Lucio Vella, the police inspector, Captain Galea, Adelina, Doctor Torregiani, not forgetting the priests Fr Tomas and Fr Anton and many others besides.

The action takes place at a seaside village, St Jude's, not too dissimilar to our St Paul's Bay or Marsascala, not forgetting St Julian's.

It is the story of a murder happening in this sleepy village where nothing usually happens. At first the villagers misread the whole thing and think it's a miracle by the Madonna. Then as the bodies pile up they begin thinking someone must have placed the whole place under a curse.

When called in to investigate, Inspector Lucio Vella finds himself entangled in a case like nothing he ever faced in his career, one which challenges him to face his own personal demons.

Teaming up with other police officers and members of the clergy, especially with one young enterprising person, he undertakes a journey to unravel the truth.