The Thirty Nine Steps

The riveting adventure classic by John Buchan pairs elements of espionage mystery with a thrilling and fast-paced narrative. Published in 1915 as public interest in espionage and spy adventures grew, The Thirty Nine Steps brought the fast-paced adventures of Richard Hannay to an eager audience. Caught up in a geopolitical plot that is transpiring around Europe after two men - one a freelance spy - are murdered in his apartment block, Hannay enters into the murkily adventurous world of espionage in order to save multiple political figures from assassination. Ahead of its time, The Thirty Nine Steps pioneered a dialogue rich, fantastical style of writing which would come to typify adventure tales and thrillers. It is frequently placed in the 'man-on-the-run' sub-genre, for portraying Hannay simultaneously as a wanted fugitive, and a potential saviour with important knowledge that may alter the course of Europe's entire politics.