Strangely, Franz always considered himself a warrior at heart, which is why he joined the Marines. As a child and adolescent, he often dreamed of being a medieval knight battling an evil, ruthless enemy; his visions felt so real that he would be drenched in sweat upon waking.

Excerpt from The Lost Knight

The Islamic forces of Suleiman the Magnificent were battle-hardened, yet these infidel dogs of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, along with their Maltese subjects, fought with such fervour that they questioned whether Allah had been by their side these past few weeks.

Excerpt from The Lost Knight

Franz noticed the deep worry etched on his wife’s face. It was the same expression of disbelief she had worn when he recounted his dreams in the hospital. Now, it was time to make a decision. Should he come clean and reveal that his dreams were real, or should he lie?

Excerpt from The Lost Knight

Though considered a man of virtuous honour, La Vallette ordered the execution of all Ottoman prisoners held in St. Angelo’s cells. The Grand Master delivered their severed heads, via cannon fire, to their fellow Muslims on the opposite shores of the Grand Harbour.

Excerpt from The Lost Knight

‘All our family knows of this,’ she said, hesitating as she was about to call it a curse and carefully choosing her words. ‘This affliction has affected many people throughout our dynastic history and continues to do so today.’

Excerpt from The Lost Knight