The Thirty-Nine Steps

The Thirty-Nine Steps is a fast-paced adventure novel that introduced Richard Hannay, an ordinary man caught in extraordinary circumstances. Published in 1915, it follows Hannay as he becomes entangled in an international espionage conspiracy just before World War I. Forced to flee across the Scottish countryside, he must evade both police and enemy agents to uncover a plot that could alter the course of history. Buchan’s blend of suspense, action, and rugged landscapes pioneered the modern spy thriller genre, influencing countless future works.