Le roi des montagnes

by Edmond About

"Le roi des montagnes" by Edmond About is a French-language novel published in 1857. A young German botanist travels to Greece to study plants but is kidnapped by Hatzistavros, a legendary brigand chief who once fought in the Greek War of Independence. Held captive alongside a wealthy English mother and daughter, the botanist discovers a web of corruption connecting the brigands, Greek authorities, and high society. As ransom negotiations unfold and escape attempts fail, he must navigate deadly games of deception to survive.