The Power-House

John Buchan’s The Power-House is a gripping early spy thriller that introduces lawyer Edward Leithen, drawn into a shadowy world of international conspiracy. When a chance encounter leads to a cryptic warning—“You see, I’m in the Power-House”—Leithen uncovers a vast, hidden network of criminal influence led by the enigmatic Andrew Lumley. Operating beyond borders and laws, this secret organization threatens national security and personal freedom. As Leithen races to expose the truth, he confronts the chilling power of unseen forces manipulating society. A masterclass in suspense, the novel explores paranoia, modernity, and the fragility of order in the early 20th century. One of the first modern espionage novels, The Power-House set the stage for the genre’s golden age.