The Caves of Steel is a science fiction novel by Isaac Asimov. It is the first book in the Robot series and introduces the character of Elijah Baley, a detective in a future Earth where humans and robots coexist. Baley is assigned to investigate a murder in a city where robots outnumber humans. The book explores themes of prejudice, fear of technology, and the challenges of human-robot relationships. Asimov's writing combines elements of mystery and social commentary to create a captivating story.