From Baghdad to Istanbul by Karl May is a gripping tale of peril and mystery that carries readers across the ancient cities, deserts, and mountain wilderness of the Old Orient, where every road hides assassins, secret societies, secret criminal networks, and relentless pursuit. The novel follows the famous traveler Kara Ben Nemsi and his loyal companion Hadschi Halef Omar as they cross deserts, cities, and mountains in search of justice while facing one life-threatening danger after another.
The adventure begins amid violent clashes between Turkmen and Kurdish tribes, where Kara Ben Nemsi's caravan becomes trapped in the middle of a brutal conflict. During the chaos, the wise and respected Mohammed Emin loses his life, casting a shadow over the journey and reminding the travelers that every step across the East carries mortal risks. Soon afterward, the Persian nobleman Hassan Ardschir-Mirza joins the group after Kara and Halef help defend him against his enemies. Intelligent, proud, and honorable, Hassan becomes an important ally as they continue toward Baghdad.
Yet Baghdad offers little safety. Intrigue, betrayal, and hidden enemies wait in the crowded streets of the great city, where shocking murders plunge the travelers into grief and fury. Worse still, Kara and Halef become infected with the plague while accompanying a dreadful caravan of the dying. Karl May vividly describes the fear, suffering, and desperation surrounding the epidemic, giving the novel a darker and more suspenseful atmosphere than many classic adventure tales.
As the surviving companions press onward through Damascus and eventually toward Constantinople, they uncover traces of a vast criminal organization led by the mysterious and feared Schut. Along the way they encounter smugglers, murderers, spies, and thieves, including the cunning Abrahim Mamur, whose escape drives the heroes into an even greater chase. Joined by brave new allies such as Omar Ben Sadek and the powerful Osko, Kara Ben Nemsi follows clues deep into the wild Balkan Mountains, where the true scale of the conspiracy slowly begins to emerge.
