Find Another Book

Book details

The Cobra King of Kathmandu

Philip Kerr - Author

Expect a fantasy mystery with travel, magical beings and a murder investigation. A venomous snakebite and a cult that makes the twins targets give the adventure a dangerous edge.

More about this book

In the third book of the bestselling *Children of the Lamp* series, djinn twins, John and Philippa Gaunt, are on the trail of another magical mystery. As they travel from New York to London to Nepal and India on a whirlwind adventure, the twins try to help their friend and fellow djinn, Buck, find out who murdered his friend using the venomous snakebite of the king cobra. All too soon, John and Philippa find themselves caught up in the lethal world of the Cult of the Nine Cobras, only to discover that they themselves are a target of the creepy cobra cult.

Add to Compare Explore

Book Analysis

At a Glance

Discover

Fantasy· ExplainedMystery· ExplainedTravel· Explained

Consider

Violence and harmViolence

Personalised Fit

Beyond the Cover

fantasymysterytravelmurdersnakebitethreat

Fiction

Themes in Context

A magical mystery adventure

The djinn twins investigate a murder while travelling through New York, London, Nepal and India; the search brings them into contact with a cobra cult.Exploratory / explanatory

How the book presents it: The story is presented as a fast-moving adventure built around a magical mystery and danger to the protagonists.

Talk about: How do the different places and magical elements shape the twins’ investigation?

Murder and peril

The twins help Buck investigate the murder of his friend by a king cobra’s venomous bite, and the cult makes the twins targets.Provisional reading

Talk about: How does the story present the investigation and the danger the twins face?

Why It May Be Worth Reading

The twins’ investigation is framed as a magical adventure across several countries, with a mystery to pursue and danger for the protagonists. It may appeal to readers who enjoy fantasy-led detective plots.

What Deserves Attention

The plot includes a murder caused by venomous snakebite and a lethal cult that targets the twins. Consider whether these threats suit your reader’s comfort with peril in fantasy adventure.

A Conversation Worth Having

If the investigation raises questions about justice or revenge, what do you think the characters should do when trying to help their friend?

Reading Approach

You could read together in short stretches and pause when the investigation or magical details raise questions. Check in about the snakebite and cult peril, then let your reader choose whether to continue.

Confidence & Basis

Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.

What remains unconfirmed

A magical mystery adventure: The plot’s resolution and how the danger is handled are unclear.
Murder and peril: The amount of detail given to the murder and threats is unclear.

The Cobra King of Kathmandu - Philip Kerr - Google Books

Limited information

Checked: 1 October 2026.

Relevant to: A magical mystery adventure; Murder and peril

The Cobra King of Kathmandu by Philip Kerr | Open Library