In this episode, our hosts dive into The Lost Guardian of Malta, a fast-paced thriller that blends ancient mystery with modern intrigue.

Join us as we explore how celebrated author Steven Bogaerts transformed his deep connection to Malta—its rich history, haunting temples, and vibrant culture—into a story that’s as thought-provoking as it is gripping.

From the origins of the book at the Ħaġar Qim temple to the challenges of writing in a new language, this conversation uncovers the creative journey behind a novel that’s capturing imaginations around the world.

Press the play-button and discover the secrets Malta might still be keeping…

A journey waiting to be discovered

For readers, “The Lost Guardian of Malta” offers a chance to dive into a world where history and mystery collide. Whether you’re familiar with Malta or discovering it for the first time, Bogaerts promises an unforgettable journey.

“All it takes is one question,” he says. “What if these stones could talk? The rest, as they say, is history—or maybe something even more thrilling.”

The post What if these stones could talk? appeared first on the Lost Guardian of Malta.

“The air was heavy with the scent of the sea, and the horizon stretched endlessly, blending into a soft gradient of blues and oranges. The serenity of the scene was almost overwhelming. But amidst the tranquility, one thought nagged at him: What if this wasn’t just a relic of the past? What if these stones were part of something… bigger? Something that mattered now, today?”

Bogaerts, a celebrated author with over 20 novels to his name, was no stranger to the creative process. Yet, this was different. Standing there, surrounded by history, he felt a spark that didn’t just nudge him toward a story—it practically demanded to be written.

“I’ve always loved Malta,” Bogaerts explains. “It’s not just the history, though that’s undeniably fascinating. It’s the way the past feels alive here, like it’s always watching, just beneath the surface of modern life. There’s an energy to this island that I haven’t felt anywhere else.”

A lifelong connection to Malta

Bogaerts’ love affair with Malta began years ago during a family vacation. Over time, his frequent visits turned into something more profound. He forged close friendships, discovered distant family connections, and immersed himself in the island’s unique blend of ancient and contemporary culture.

“Malta is a paradox,” he says. “You’ve got this cutting-edge modernity—like the clubs in Paceville or the international tech hubs—and then you step a few kilometers away, and it’s like you’ve walked into the past. Mdina’s streets are silent and ancient, the temples are older than the Pyramids, and the catacombs whisper stories you’ll never fully understand. It’s a storyteller’s dream.”

This connection deepened with every visit. Malta became more than just a place to relax; it was a place of inspiration. Yet, despite years of writing successful novels in Dutch, he never thought of setting a book there. At least, not until that evening at Ħaġar Qim.

The seed of an idea

The temples at Ħaġar Qim, Tarxien and Mnajdra have fascinated archaeologists and historians for centuries. Built around 3600 BCE, they are older than Stonehenge and shrouded in mystery. No one knows exactly how or why the ancient Maltese built them. Theories range from religious ceremonies to astronomical observatories. For Bogaerts, this ambiguity was fuel for his imagination.

“Standing there, it hit me,” he recalls. “What if these weren’t just monuments? What if they were more… deliberate?

What if they served a purpose no one today fully understands? And what if someone in the present discovered what that purpose was?”

That question lingered long after he left the temple. It followed him through the bustling streets of Valletta, echoed in the limestone alleys of Mdina, and resurfaced as he explored the eerie quiet of St. Paul’s Catacombs. Slowly, a story began to form—a story that blended Malta’s ancient secrets with the frenetic pace of modern life.

From inspiration to action

Back in Belgium, Bogaerts couldn’t shake the idea. He began researching Malta’s history more deeply, poring over books, articles, and archaeological studies. He interviewed locals, visited lesser-known sites, and even retraced his steps through the temples and catacombs.

“I realized early on that I didn’t want to write a historical novel,” Bogaerts says. “History was the backdrop, but the story had to be contemporary. I wanted readers to feel the same sense of urgency and wonder that I felt standing at those sites, or looking at the Sleeping Lady.”

The protagonist, Ceti, emerged from this creative process. A young courier caught between Malta’s modern chaos and its ancient mysteries, Ceti embodied the very tension that fascinated Bogaerts.

“Ceti is someone who feels disconnected from his roots, yet drawn to something he can’t quite explain,” Bogaerts explains. “In many ways, he’s a reflection of Malta itself—a place that’s constantly moving forward but always anchored by its past.”

The challenge of writing in English

While the story came naturally, writing it in English presented a new challenge. Bogaerts had spent his career crafting novels in Dutch, and this was his first direct attempt at writing in English.

“It was intimidating at first,” he admits. “I was stepping out of my comfort zone, but I felt it was necessary. The story was so tied to Malta’s international identity that it made sense to write it in English. Plus, it allowed me to reach a wider audience.”

To ensure the language felt authentic, Bogaerts worked closely with native English-speaking editors and beta readers. He also leaned on his connections in Malta to ensure the dialogue and cultural references rang true.

“I wanted the book to feel genuine, both to Maltese readers and to those who’ve never set foot on the island,” he says.

A story for everyone

The Lost Guardian of Malta is more than just a thriller.

It’s a love letter to Malta, a reflection on identity, and an exploration of how the past shapes the present.

For Bogaerts, it’s a story that resonates far beyond the island’s shores.

“I think everyone, no matter where they’re from, can relate to the themes in this book,” he says. “We all grapple with questions about where we come from and how our history defines us. That’s what Ceti’s journey is ultimately about.”

As for the future, Bogaerts isn’t ruling out a sequel. With Malta’s deep well of history and mythology, he’s confident there are more stories waiting to be told.

“Malta never stops surprising me,” he says with a smile. “I have a feeling Ceti’s story isn’t finished yet.”

A journey waiting to be discovered

For readers, “The Lost Guardian of Malta” offers a chance to dive into a world where history and mystery collide. Whether you’re familiar with Malta or discovering it for the first time, Bogaerts promises an unforgettable journey.

“All it takes is one question,” he says. “What if these stones could talk? The rest, as they say, is history—or maybe something even more thrilling.”

Read a sample

The post A riveting story: making Ceti’s World come alive… appeared first on the Lost Guardian of Malta.

Mirroring Malta

Interviewer: Let’s start with the question on everyone’s mind—who is Ceti, really?

Steven Bogaerts: That’s a beautiful question, and also the hardest. Ceti isn’t just a character. He’s a fracture point in identity, a question disguised as a boy. When I first imagined him, he was darting through the streets of Paceville, totally at home and completely invisible. But the more I explored who he was, the more I realized—he’s not a person so much as a mirror.

Interviewer: A mirror of what?

Steven Bogaerts: Of Malta. He’s an orphan raised by streets older than memory, surviving in a landscape where history and nightlife collide. You could strip away every plot point of the book, and Ceti would still stand. Because he is the story.

Interviewer: You mention Malta. The island is almost a character itself. How conscious was that decision?

Steven Bogaerts: Very. Malta is often used as a cinematic backdrop—epic temples, sun-bleached fortresses—but rarely as a beating heart. I wanted Malta to shape Ceti the way geography shapes geology. He has layers. Erosion. Hidden chambers. Even his silence is Maltese—stoic, watchful, deeply historical.

Ceti, myth and modernity

Interviewer: And his name—Ceti. It’s unusual. Can you talk about where that came from?

Steven Bogaerts: Ah, now we’re getting into it. The name Ceti is loaded. On the surface, it sounds sleek, modern, even futuristic. But peel it back, and you hit Seti—the Egyptian name. And behind that, the god Seth or Set, a figure of chaos, of borders, of transition. He wasn’t just destruction—he was protection too. He guarded Ra’s solar barque from Apophis, the chaos serpent, every night. That paradox fascinated me. Ceti is the same: danger and shield. Lost and guardian.

Interviewer: So Ceti is… a kind of modern Seti?

Steven Bogaerts: Exactly. He’s not just a boy on the run. He’s myth and modernity entangled. He’s part relic, part ripple. There’s this moment in the book when another character tells him, “You’re named after a god who stood at the edge of the world and dared it to swallow him.” That’s what Ceti does. He walks edges—of cultures, of identity, of time.

Interviewer: That’s a lot for one character. How did you keep him grounded?

Steven Bogaerts: By writing him like a stray. That sounds harsh, but it’s true. Ceti is thin, fast, wiry—he survives on instinct. His body remembers rooftops more than beds. He’s not a muscle-bound superhero; he’s functional. His beauty is incidental, like a well-worn knife. And emotionally? He’s armored. Not cold—just deeply cautious. His trauma isn’t his personality, but it’s in every footstep.

Interviewer: Was that psychological realism intentional?

Steven Bogaerts: Always. We’re used to characters who process trauma loudly, with monologues or breakdowns. Ceti doesn’t have that luxury. He’s too busy staying invisible. But you feel his depth—in how he touches old stones, how he pauses in catacombs, how he remembers details nobody else would. He’s observant, but not for show. It’s survival. And beneath that? A hunger for connection that he can barely admit to himself.

Eerily familiar

= WARNING: This part contains some (very) mild spoilers =

Interviewer: A lot of readers say Ceti feels eerily familiar, like someone they know—or once were.

Steven Bogaerts: That’s the goal. Especially for readers in their late 20s, 30s or 40s—this generation that was promised clarity and got chaos instead. We’re trained to look confident, but we’re constantly excavating our own meaning. Ceti lives in that excavation. He’s what happens when the world forgets you, and you decide to remember yourself anyway.

Interviewer: Very small spoiler, there’s a moment in the story where Ceti literally descends beneath Malta. Is that symbolic?

Steven Bogaerts: Completely. That descent is a rebirth. And Malta—real Malta—is layered like that: modern streets above, prehistoric temples below. The deeper Ceti goes, the more he touches not just history, but his own origin. He’s not just discovering secrets about the world—he’s confronting what he is. That’s where the mythology fuses with the personal. The line between relic and identity dissolves.

Interviewer: Without spoiling too much, what do you want readers to feel by the end of the book?

Steven Bogaerts: Like they’ve just brushed against something ancient and electric. I want them to feel like they know Ceti—not just as a character, but as a part of themselves. I want them to walk through a ruin, or a club, or a dusty museum and think, What else are we missing? Who else is hiding in plain sight?

Interviewer: So for readers who haven’t opened the book yet—what’s the one thing you’d say?

Steven Bogaerts: Don’t expect answers. Expect more. Because this isn’t just a story about a boy named Ceti.

It’s about the hidden part of… you.

Thirsty for more?

If this conversation has stirred your curiosity—if you’ve ever felt the pull of ancient places, the thrill of hidden truths, or the quiet ache of not quite belonging—then The Lost Guardian of Malta isn’t just a book for you, it’s a journey you need to take. Through Ceti’s eyes, Malta transforms from a sunlit postcard into a living, breathing mystery—a place where mythology, memory, and modern danger collide beneath the surface.

This isn’t just a story about relics or rituals. It’s about identity, survival, and what it means to be the keeper of something the world has forgotten. If you’re looking for a novel that blends cinematic pacing with deep emotional resonance—and leaves you thinking long after the last page—The Lost Guardian of Malta is waiting.

The post Crafting Ceti appeared first on the Lost Guardian of Malta.

These excerpts offer a taste of the intrigue, emotion, and rich atmosphere that make this book so compelling—without giving away too much. Immerse yourself in the vivid world Steven Bogaerts has created, where ancient mysteries meet the challenges of the present, and every choice carries the weight of the past. Ready to uncover the secrets?

Let’s begin.

Excerpt 1

(…)

“Paceville had a way of swallowing you whole if you let it. A sprawling maze of narrow streets, all leading to the same rowdy heart—clubs and bars stacked on top of each other, neon signs flashing promises of endless drinks and loud music. The air was thick with a mix of sweat, alcohol, and cheap perfume, the chaotic energy palpable. Tourists and locals alike spilled into the streets, stumbling from one bar to the next, while promoters on every corner tried to coax them inside. But there were quieter pockets too, hidden corners where you could almost escape the noise. Almost.

Ceti darted past a group of tourists stumbling out of a bar, their laughter slurred and heavy. His heart pounded, though not from fear—this was excitement, adrenaline. He’d been working for these people since he was eighteen, after all. Two years ago, an orphan, plucked from the streets, given a job, a purpose. 300 euros a drop—it was good money, better than anything else out there. Who was he to complain?

His breath fogged in the cool night air as he slid his hands into his jacket pockets, his fingers briefly grazing the object. He wondered, as he always did, what was really inside. But that was never his concern. His eyes scanned the faces, looking for his mark. There, in the far corner of a terrace, a man in his mid-30s, cigarette dangling from his lips, drunk and completely unaware of the young courier’s approach.

“Calculated risk. All about timing,” Ceti thought, his mind running through the steps. “Keep your body language relaxed. Look like you’re meant to be here. Blend in.”

He drifted closer, eyes scanning the half-empty glasses and strewn ashtrays. The cigarette smoking man with the hoodie was slumped in his seat, head resting on the back, arms hanging limply at his sides. The man’s discarded leather jacket lay crumpled on the ground nearby, a newspaper sticking out of its pocket, smeared with lukewarm vomit—a clear sign the night had already got messy. Ceti, moving casually, slipped the small packet into the front pocket of the hoodie the man still wore, ensuring it landed unnoticed. His heartbeat quickened, but his movements stayed steady as he stepped back into the chaotic scene around him.

It was done.

(…)

Excerpt 2

(…)

Ceti leaned back, savoring the feeling of sunlight on his face and the wind whipping through his hair as the red Mercedes SL sped through the too narrow Maltese streets. The open road, the sea breeze, the smell of salt in the air—it was the first time he could remember feeling so free since he’d become tangled in the ancient mysteries of Malta. He could hardly believe the luxury of not dashing around like a fugitive. Today, they were simply driving, out in the open, with Otis at the wheel.

The car itself was a spectacle: bright red with a convertible top down, making it anything but subtle, and far too wide for the slim lanes they navigated. Yet Otis handled it skillfully, his steady hands on the wheel and an air of calm about him that made Ceti trust he’d have them there safe, no matter how narrow the roads became. His dark skin gleamed in the sun, contrasting with the soft beige leather seats, and Ceti noticed that even the summer heat didn’t seem to faze Otis, who wore his usual composed expression.

Ptah rode in the front passenger seat, his sleek ponytail somehow untouched by the breeze. As usual, Ptah had an effortless cool about him, though his usual (…) attire was adapted to a more laid-back look—loose linen shirt in a sandy hue, faded jeans, and sneakers that looked as clean as the day he’d bought them. Ceti’s own attire had (…) given him a relaxed, breezy look with a light button-down shirt in a crisp white, rolled-up sleeves, and shorts that made him feel ready for the Maltese coastline.

The journey took them through a winding route from Paola, winding past limestone townhouses and lively market squares. They traveled through small villages with colourful fishing boats tied up at docks and the scent of fried pastries and fresh fish wafting from open windows. Every turn revealed sun-drenched cliffs and shimmering glimpses of the blue Mediterranean. As they neared the outskirts, the road narrowed further, edged by low stone walls, winding up towards their destination, perched on a rocky hill overlooking the coast.

When they arrived at Ħaġar Qim, the ancient stones greeted them with their stoic silence, standing like sentinels on the landscape. The early morning sun cast long shadows across the site, and with no tourists yet in sight, the place had an almost sacred stillness to it. They moved past the gates with ease; the attendant, accustomed to them, waved them through without a word.

The Ħaġar Qim temple complex lay spread before them, a hauntingly beautiful arrangement of megalithic stones, standing tall and worn with the weight of ages. Each stone slab, marked by centuries of weather, bore testament to the architectural mastery of the ancient inhabitants. Intricately carved spirals adorned the stones in circular patterns that reminded Ceti of waves—a silent nod to ancient power.

(…)

Read a sample

All texts: © Steven Bogaerts 2025. All rights reserved.

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