Rosella is a young woman studying journalism and English language but is also interested in writing. Rosella lives in Seville with her family and her father, a senior doctor who is a great source for Rosella and helps her in her writing. A turning event in her life is while Rosella was accompanying her father, Antonio, in a trip to Barcelona and Montserrat. There, Rosella learns that the famous poet Frederico Garzia Lorca has been killed by the Falangists. Following this shocking news, the trip is suddenly interrupted, and Rosella and her father return to Seville. While in Seville, at the break of the civil war, Rosella by coincidence discovers that her father was secretly helping the wounded rebels and socialist supporters. Later, her father confides in Rosella and begs her to keep it between them, which she does. Following a strange dream, Rosella starts writing a novel set in medieval Spain and which, later, would serve as the only companion in the events that followed.

Description

A novel based on the social and criminological study of the effects of rape and on the problem of recidivism of sex offenders.

The story starts with the episode of Francine a victim of rape, who turns up a killer without wanting to after killing her perpetrator. While in prison, awaiting trial, Francine is referred to the desk of Dr. Michelle a forensic psychiatrist who works in a mental institution, mainly with cases of sex offenders and who is assigned to help Francine in court. Through Francine s' experience we learn about the long term effects of rape, its impact on her life and her journey to survival.

About the Author

Marie Anne Zammit is a graduate in Social Work and Probation Services and currently work as a Probation Officer. Marie Anne paints and writes articles, novels and poetry both in English and in Maltese and her articles appeared on various local newspapers and journals. Marie Anne s' interest in Criminology and Mental Health commenced in 1994 when she was still a student in Social Work and was also doing voluntary work at the Prisons. In the same year Mary Anne was awarded the Youth of the Year. From there, Marie Anne followed a Post Qualification Diploma Course in Probation Services and in 1997 has been employed with the Probation Services, Malta.

Marie Anne s' first novel was in Maltese, Id-Dell ta' l-Ezmeraldi, a story dealing with a 'whodunit' theme, which was a success. This was followed by another book, Ir-Ragel l-Iswed, in 2002 the main theme of which was drugs. The latter was awarded the MAPA (Maltese Association of Publishers and Authors prize) In 2006 Mary Anne Zammit published her third novel in Maltese Stupru which means Rape and which was also a success. Marie Anne is Spoke Person for Health and Social Policy with the Green Party, Malta.,

When Francine's case notes land on the desk of Dr Michelle, a forensic psychologist, the doctor is shocked by what she sees. Francine is a victim of rape, but she in turn has become a criminal - a killer. Francine's resolve in the face of her ordeal and its tragic aftermath, and her response when her assailant again enters her life, command our sympathy and demand a reconsideration of this vexed issue. Mary-Anne Zammit writes from the heart, yet her careful analysis of the mindset of offenders and the problem of recidivism make Torn Velvet a highly valuable social and criminological study.