In Tunis und im Wilden Westen spielt der erste Teil dieses dreibändigen Romans. Er schildert die Schicksale einer deutschen Familie, deren Mitglieder durch die Ränke von Verbrechern in die ganze Welt zerstreut wurden. Auch hier ist wieder der spleenige Sir David Lyndsay mit von der Partie.
Karl Friedrich May (also Karol May) was one of the best selling German writers of all time, noted mainly for books set in the American Old West, (best known for the characters of Winnetou and Old Shatterhand) and similar books set in the Orient and Middle East. In addition, he wrote stories set in his native Germany, in China and in South America.
May also wrote poetry and several plays, as well as composing music; he was proficient with several musical instruments. May's musical version of "Ave Maria" became very well known.