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John BuchanA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
100
Novel • Fiction
England And Scotland • 1910s
1915
Adult
14+ years
670L
The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan, published in 1915, follows Richard Hannay, a mining engineer recently returned to London, who becomes embroiled in a spy plot after his neighbor, Franklin P. Scudder, shares information about an impending assassination and espionage plans. Scudder is subsequently murdered, leading Hannay on a dangerous journey across Scotland to decode the mystery involving an espionage group called the Black Stone and something referred to as "39 steps."
Suspenseful
Adventurous
Mysterious
Challenging
Gritty
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John Buchan's The Thirty Nine Steps is lauded for its fast-paced narrative and pioneering role in the spy thriller genre. Readers appreciate its suspense and engaging plot. However, some critique its dated writing style and occasional implausibility. Overall, it's a thrilling read that remains influential despite some anachronisms.
A reader who thrives on fast-paced adventure and espionage tales will enjoy The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan. Fans of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series or Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne novels will appreciate the clever twists, suspenseful narrative, and the engaging protagonist, Richard Hannay.
1,061 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
100
Novel • Fiction
England And Scotland • 1910s
1915
Adult
14+ years
670L
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