Anton Grasso, born in Paola in 1952, is widely regarded as Malta’s master of horror. He published his first book, Iljieli bla Qamar (“Moonless Nights”), in 1974 at just 22, making it the first modern collection of horror stories in Maltese. Over the decades, Grasso has produced a vast body of work — short stories, novels, translations, essays, poetry, two studies on the paranormal (one of which, Enigma, became a very successful television series), an autobiography, and over twenty-seven volumes of horror stories. His voice has been integral to Maltese popular culture: his radio programme Stejjer tal-Waħx ran for more than 20 years, and he served as programme director at the national television station from 1981 until 2004.

Grasso’s work is not just prolific, many of his books have sold out, been reprinted, and have left a mark on readers aware of the eerie and the supernatural. His interest in horror often weaves into reflections on human vulnerability, destiny, and emotion, creating stories that are chilling but also frequently personal. In recognition of his contribution to Maltese literature, he was awarded the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika in 2021.