The Cobra King of Kathmandu

Children of the Lamp #3

by P.B. Kerr

From New York Times-bestselling author P. B. Kerr comes the third volume in this exceptional, imaginative adventure series about a twin boy and girl who discover they are djinns, or genies. 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.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Adventure, Childrens, Magic

373 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Also writes as Philip Kerr.

Philip Kerr (P.B. Kerr) was a British author of both adult fiction and non-fiction, most notably the Bernie Gunther series, and of children's books, particularly the Children of the Lamp series.

Kerr was educated at a grammar school in Northampton. He studied law at the University of Birmingham from 1974–1980, achieving a masters degree. Kerr worked as an advertising copywriter for Saatchi and Saatchi before becoming a full-time writer in 1989. He wrote for the Sunday Times, the Evening Standard and the New Statesman.

Reviews

[Rebecca H · Rating 5 out of 5]

John and Philippa Guant are djinn. Their djinn friend, Dybbuk, helped a friend and the friend's dad steal old paintings from a museum. Soon the dad and friend were killed while Dybbuk was gone, by snakebite. He contacts Philippa and John, and they immediately go to help. Also, two men tried to break into the Gaunt's house and steal their wisdom teeth, which having them would give them complete control over John and Philippa. Meanwhile, their Uncle Nimrod and wise old djinn friend, Rakhasas, have discovered something and had gone to fix it. They were captured, and taken somewhere. The children have to travel all over the world with the help of a one armed butler to find out who is behind the attacks, and eventually they get on the trail of Cult of the Nine Cobras. They have to stop the evil plan the cult is putting into progress, even risking their lives to do it.

I rated this book five stars because it was fun and interesting to read, and it was funny and cool at parts. I like the fact that the author invented tons of stuff about djinn for the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fiction and adventure, magic, and wants an easy but interesting book.

[Flavia · Rating 5 out of 5]

To niesamowite jak autor planował fabułę do przodu, pisząc tę książkę...

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books just keep getting better and better! Philip Kerr makes his writing addictive to read, and his use of third-person omniscient is masterful. Another great adventure. I can't wait to pick up the next one!

[Elly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wir sind wieder zurück mit mehr Vorurteilen und fragwürdigen Ansichten/Aktionen - aber dafür auch zumindest mit der Selbsterkenntnis des Authors, wie abwegig und unglaubwürdig die Geschichten sind die aufgetischt werden.

Die Storyline im Hintergrund wird spannender und interessanter und einige Dinge fügen sich ineinander. Die familiären Situationen spitzen sich zu.
Der Author hat einige abgefahrene, gleichzeitig sehr lustige Ideen, die mich amüsiert haben.
Insgesamt gefällt mir dieser Band von den ersten 3 fast am besten.

[Soulmeltdown · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking forward to reading the others in this series - the djinn made me do it!

[Miki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book. This was my fifth time reading it and I still noticed new things that I hadn't noticed last time. This book is an awsome book about these people called djinn. Djinn are these people that have the power to grant wishes and change the molecular structure of stuff. The main characters John and Phillipa are twins and think the same thoughts. Together they go on many exiting adventures.
In this particular book, they went to India to find some treasure that they found the code for with their djinn friend Dybuck.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first 2, but still worth the read.

[Cilla Savary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 3rd in the series. This is an Indiana Jones kind of story. You might find yourself racing through the pages to find out what is coming next. Loved it!

[Socrate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Începutul groaznicei întâmplări s-a petrecut, aşa cum e cazul cu mai toate întâmplările de groază, în toiul nopţii, în timp ce majoritatea lumii dormea. Casa în care a avut loc înfiorătorul eveniment era o clădire guvernamentală din Londra. Una de mărime înşelătoare, din cărămidă, construită în stil palladianist în Whitehall, având cea mai veche şi mai cunoscută adresă din lume. În faţa faimoasei uşi negre din faţă, stătea un poliţist; pe partea cealaltă a străzii, alte clădiri guvernamentale se înşirau până spre Westminster şi spre Palatul Parlamentului şi mai departe, spre mocirlosul fluviu Tamisa. Cu mult după miezul nopţii, într-o noapte rece de aprilie, în ultimii ani ai mileniului trecut, clădirea de la numărul zece, de pe strada Downing era cufundată în linişte.
O fetiţă în vârstă de unsprezece ani era singură în camera ei; fetiţa însă nu dormea, ci se ghemuise sub plapumă şi citea o carte la lumina lanternei. Tatăl ei, prim-ministrul Marii Britanii şi al Irlandei de Nord, împreună cu mama ei dormeau adânc în camera lor, aflată de cealaltă parte a holului. La parter, într-o încăpere situată în spatele biroului premierului, erau de serviciu agentul de pază al prim-ministrului şi purtătorul de cuvânt al acestuia. Cam pe la ora douăsprezece şi patruzeci de minute, fetiţa îşi ridică privirea de pe romanul pe care-l citea, încruntându-se nedumerită. I se păruse că aude răsunând un râs. Un râs ciudat, de femeie. Sau mai degrabă un chicotit răutăcios şi copilăresc.
Ciudat!
Îşi scoase capul de sub adăpostul plăpumii şi ascultă cu atenţie, timp de câteva clipe; dar după aceea nu-i mai dădu importanţă.
Cred că mi s-a părut.
Dar în clipa în care râsul de fetiţă se făcu din nou auzit, ea se ridică în capul oaselor şi-şi azvârli cartea deoparte.
Chicotitul ăsta! Îmi dă fiori!
Coborî din pat, hotărâtă să vadă despre ce era vorba. Trăgându-şi pe ea un halat, deschise uşa camerei şi aruncă o privire în lungul holului. Chicotitul părea să se audă din dormitorul părinţilor.
Ce se întâmplă oare? Nu e mama cea care râde. Ea nu râde aşa. De fapt, de când ne-am mutat pe strada Downing, nu mai râde deloc.
Fetiţa porni tiptil pe hol şi chicotitul se auzi dintr-odată mai tare, mai răutăcios şi chiar un pic obraznic, dar, în clipa în care deschise uşa dormitorului şi păşi înăuntru, încetă brusc, chiar dacă numai pentru o clipă.

[Diana Trăncău · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aproape că mă bucur de modul în care a fost răsplătit acel Guru nesăbuit care încercase să devină djinn luând sângele gemenilor și al lui Dybbuk. Ceea ce mă necăjește după toată aventura lor pentru a găsi regele cobră și până și întâlnirea lor cu îngerul care îi ajută dându-le doi Altundeva, este faptul că Philippa și John nu pot fi acolo pentru mama lor atunci când pleacă. Sper că vor reuși să o aducă înapoi și pe ea, cât și pe sora lui Dybbuk, Faustina.
Trebuie să apreciez totuși decizia domnului Rakshasas cu privire la talismanul cobră, să folosească smaraldul și corpul de aur al șarpelui pentru a ajuta săracii e o idee mult mai bună decât a-l arunca pur și simplu.
O să menționez și partea în care Iblis crede că îi are în sfârșit pe gemeni și sfârșește prin a avea alți doi djinni sub forma unor tigri imenși care îl atacă.

[Divisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing!!

I have never laughed so hard while reading a book... Mr. Groanin the groaning uncle was hilarious.
I loved the twins John and Phillipa..
Also I don't know if anyone noticed but Nimrod's djinn word was QWERTYUIOP an exact copy of the first row of the keyboards letter!

I especially liked the lively disciptions of the Indian places like Kathmandu and Uttar Pradesh. Guru Masamjhasara was such a weird villain.. At times he filled me with anticipation and at times he totally creeped me out..
Overall I loved this book....very much
I have probably read this 5 to 6 times and found it amusing every time.

🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇!!

[Devsai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing!!

I have never laughed so hard while reading a book... Mr. Groanin the groaning uncle was hilarious.
I loved the twins John and Phillipa..
Also I don't know if anyone noticed but Nimrod's djinn word was QWERTYUIOP an exact copy of the first row of the keyboards letter!

I especially liked the lively disciptions of the Indian places like Kathmandu and Uttar Pradesh. Guru Masamjhasara was such a weird villain.. At times he filled me with anticipation and at times he totally creeped me out..
Overall I loved this book....very much
I have probably read this 5 to 6 times and found it amusing every time.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kerr, P.B. Cobra King of Kathmandu 384 p. Scholastic –

John, Philippa and their best friend Dybbuk travel to India on the hunt for a murderer – not knowing that they must also save their Uncle Nimrod and breakup the resurrection of an old snake cult, whose leader is bent on capturing djinn for his own nefarious purpose. A likable, well-written addition to the series.

EL, MS – ADVISABLE

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded to 4.0

Pretty much what is says on the tin, a middle-grade Indiana Jones-style romp through (mostly) India. It's fun, got that nostalgic "evening reading after the school book fair" vibe, and a smidge of "oof, was that still okay to say when this was published?" Given the name, I only wish we got to see more of the city of Kathmandu, which barely featured.

[Celine Lepa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Die Kinder des Dschinn: Das Rätsel der neunten Kobra
John und Philippa sind Zwillinge und dazu Dschinn. Die Zwillinge müssen das Rätsel lösen warum zwei Einbrecher ihre Weisheitszähne klauen wollten. Dabei stoßen sie in Indien auf eine uralte Sekte. Der Anführer will macht über einen Dschinn erlangen, das müssen die Zwillinge und ihr Begleiter verhindern. Also begeben Sie sich auf eine Abenteuerliche Reise nach Indien.
.
Wie die ersten beiden Teile war auch dieser Teil wieder sehr unterhalten. Der Autor hat einen sehr angenehmen Schreibstill, dass man nur so durch die Seiten fliegt. Die Story ist aufregend und spannend geschrieben, aber auch sehr humorvoll so das man auch immer wieder Schmunzeln musst. Die Bücher von P.B Perr sind wundervoll wenn man einfach mal was leichtes Zwischen durchlesen möchte.

[Liasanya Leseratte · Rating 5 out of 5]

In diesem dritten Buch der Kinder des dschinn Reihe, erleben die Zwillinge ein spannendes Abenteuer in Indien. Außerdem entwickeln sie sich zu immer selbstständigeren Jugendlichen und verbessern ihre Fähigkeiten und lernen Dybbuk, einen anderen dschinn- jungen kennen. Mein persönliches lieblingsbuch der Reihe, weil es sehr spannend und actionreich ist.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read from the children of the lamp series and it was so good.First of all I was confused in first few chapters and later they made so much sense. I read this book for fun, yet it still got me hooked into the story so much. The plot was so good and i really like the twin's different personality traits.The plot twists were amazing.This is one of the best reads i had in 2025.
Overall I give 4.5 stars for this book (⭐⭐⭐⭐.5)

[Faith Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars. Some out of character actions to help the plot and at the end everything just seems to work out. Ended on a little bit of a cliffhanger, but the big plot points were resolved so that is nice. I didnt enjoy this one as much as the first two but it was still good.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.

[Ethan Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good book although the ending felt rushed in a way it cleared up all and any plot holes

[ʙʀᴏᴏᴋʟʏɴ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is addicting

[Arbaz Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first novel which I read in my life. Took me 20 days.
What made this book special was the sweet yet magical plot, lovable characters and beautiful narration.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good but it was also sad because their mother left.

[Julia Palm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving this series, each book is just as good as the one before it. Really enjoying seeing the characters develop as well.

[Lavanya Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speechless 😶

[Jordan Branscum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book

[Josiah Wendt · Rating 2 out of 5]

its funny, he makes all the antagonists really disgusting but when a good guy acts like a litteral cow in the second book hes pretty cleanly. I just remenbered that buck's father is... well, I think it's stupid and just drama for drama's sake

[Selina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5

[Teddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first two weren't available, so I am starting this series in the middle, but it is still quite enjoyable for a YA quick read.