'Irvin Vella investigatur virtwali: Il-Każ tal-bottegin tax-xorti' (9)

Author: John A. Bonello

Illustrated by Francesca Grech

Publisher: Merlin Publishers / 2024

The most popular investigator on the Maltese islands, known to all as Irvin Vella, returns with a bang. At long last, he has achieved what he has been striving for since his youth: a licence to operate as a private investigator. Technically, he no longer needs to call himself a "virtual investigator", but by now the title has become synonymous with him, and he is likely to continue using it.

In this context, Merlin Publishers have just released Irvin Vella: Il-Każ tal-bottegin tax-xorti. This marks the ninth instalment in the investigative series conceived by John A. Bonello in 2015, a series that continues to be a roaring success and cherished by readers.

Irvin Vella is the charming young investigator who has captivated the hearts of many fans, who loyally follow him from one exploit to the next. Since solving his first case, Irvin has built a solid reputation for unravelling mysteries and oddities, drawing prospective clients to his doorstep in droves. His cousins, Laura and Luca, share his passion for investigative work and are always eager to lend a helping hand or rescue him from some predicament.

As a newly-licensed private investigator, Irvin feels a heightened sense of responsibility. While his methods of investigation and interaction with others remain unchanged, he now bears a greater (metaphorical) weight on his shoulders. Naturally, he must conduct himself more professionally while continuing to develop his reputation.

This time, Irvin's sleuthing leads him to a fortune teller's shop in the heart of Valletta. As he investigates the flow of significant sums of money, a fortune teller is attacked in her home, and Irvin finds himself entangled in the mystery. Embroiled in the case is a cat named Nefi, which connects to Irvin's debut case, and an eccentric and enigmatic figure known as ir-raġel tal-beritta or the man with the cap. In this instalment we witness the evolution of Irvin's character as destiny introduces him to the first inklings of romantic attraction.

Bonello is no stranger to the Maltese literary scene. He boasts extensive writing experience, particularly in the sci-fi and mystery genres, and his works have earned him the National Book Prize multiple times. Bonello explains that, as with all cases in the series, Irvin Vella: Il-Każ tal-bottegin tax-xorti is inspired by yet another trope of the genre, as it explores themes of clairvoyance, fortune telling and the occult - common elements in police, crime and mystery narratives. "The mere mention of these themes tends to provoke a strong reaction, as they are often surrounded by prejudice. Therefore, I chose to explore this world within a Maltese context, introducing several intriguing characters that give colour to this case."

The story is vividly illustrated by artist Francesca Grech. Speaking about her inspiration for this work, Grech says: "The Irvin Vella illustrations are influenced by the film noir style, particularly the dramatic use of light and angles that create a sense of drama." She explains how "these elements, combined with the nearly real characters John Bonello creates in his stories, spark a multitude of ideas in me from the very first time I read the manuscript. I often have to restrain myself from starting to draw before I've finished reading the book!"

Looking ahead, what's in store for Irvin Vella as he continues to develop his professional career? Will the man with the cap make another appearance? And can we anticipate the blossoming of love? Only time will tell.

Irvin Vella: Il-Każ tal-bottegin tax-xorti, along with all the other books in the series, can be purchased from any bookshop or directly online from www.merlinpublishers.com