John Buchan
First published in 1915, The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan is a classic spy thriller. It recounts the harrowing adventures and narrow escapes of Richard Hannay, a former mining engineer recently arrived in London from Rhodesia.
Bored with his uneventful life, Hannay decides to leave England to seek adventure. But adventure comes knocking on his door in the form of his neighbor, Franklin Scudder. Scudder, fearing for his life, seeks temporary refuge in Hannay’s flat. He claims to have uncovered a plot to assassinate the Premier of Greece on his visit to London, an assassination which will start a world war. Hannay’s adventure begins when he discovers Scudder’s corpse with a knife through his heart.
Realizing he will be accused of murder once the body is discovered, Hannay assumes the first of his many disguises. He escapes from London to Scotland. Deciphering Scudder’s notes in his little black book, Hannay learns of the existence of a German spy ring known as the “Black Stone.” Their goal is to steal Britain’s naval defense plans to give Germany the advantage when war breaks out.
Since he has been entrusted to thwart the assassination plot and to prevent the theft of Britain’s naval secrets, Hannay traipses all over the Scottish moors to buy himself time. He assumes multiple disguises, successfully evading police on the one hand and the German spy ring on the other. He makes it to London just in time to uncover a deception by a German spy in the guise of a British naval officer. The spy has obtained Britain’s secret plans and has made arrangements to get them to Germany. Following Scudder’s clues and in a race against time, Hannay figures out the location where the plans are being handed off. He thwarts the plot and saves the day by preventing the British naval plans from leaving the country.
The novel moves at a brisk pace. Hannay frantically evades capture while being pursued by the police and the German spy ring. He interacts with the locals, borrows their clothes to disguise himself, steals cars, sleeps in the outdoors, and takes time to appreciate the bucolic scenery. His plan is far-fetched; his escapes are unlikely; his encounters with well-meaning, helpful strangers is improbable. And his luck never seems to run out.
This is a classic tale of espionage that bounds along at a rollicking pace. If one overlooks the dated feel, the improbabilities, the lucky encounters, and the old-boy network with ne’er a female in sight, one can just sit back and enjoy the ride.