The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan Reviewed by Steve Rudd

First published way, way back in 1915, this is the story that inspired the infamous movie of the same name that was directed by the king of noir, old Alfred Hitchcock. I have it on good authority that the film version does in fact differ to quite a large extent to this novel, but what the hell. I can't imagine the book being any less suspenseful or tense than the movie. The story follows a London man called Richard Hannay who goes on the run headlong into the Highlands of Scotland after a man who lives in a flat near him winds up dead under suspicious circumstances.

It's only a short story that rattles along at a thoroughly invigorating pace, and once immersed in the story the casual reader genuinely will find it hard to hold back and stop reading before they reach the exhilarating end that takes place on the East Coast of England, where thirty-nine steps snake down from the cliffs to the beach. Such a staircase might just play host to a huge conspiracy if Hannay doesn't intervene quick-sharp to foil such a conspiracy.

The author in Buchan masterfully transfers both the action set-pieces and intervening slabs of high drama - from London into the Highlands, and then temporarily back to London before Hannay dashes to the beach - with great style, and there really never is one dull moment in the story. So much so that if you are even only semi-interested in reading high-octane thrillers, The Thirty-Nine Steps is a must-read that deserves to be read with not one moment to lose. Your life could depend on it... ISBN 0-14-028262-9 (Penguin)

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