Caves of Terror

"Caves of Terror" by Talbot Mundy is a novel written in the early 20th century. It combines elements of adventure and mysticism as it follows the journey of Athelstan King and his associate, who are drawn into a web of intrigue and political maneuvering in India. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a crumbling colonial order, exploring themes of power, knowledge, and the clash of cultures. The opening of the story introduces us to Meldrum Strange, a business boss who dispatches his employee to India on a critical mission involving a man named Athelstan King, a former British officer with connections to secret service operations. Upon arrival in Bombay, King meets Gulab Lal Singh, who guides him to King's quarters. The narrative hints at unfolding mysteries surrounding Princess Yasmini and the enigmatic figure known as the Gray Mahatma, leading King into an exploration of Indian politics and spiritual matters. As King navigates this exotic landscape filled with dangers and magical elements, it becomes clear that he is part of something much larger than himself, setting the stage for an unfolding adventure steeped in the supernatural and political intrigue. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Talbot Mundy was an English writer of adventure fiction. Based for most of his life in the United States, he also wrote under the pseudonym of Walter Galt. Best known as the author of King of the Khyber Rifles and the Jimgrim series, much of his work was published in pulp magazines.