Richard Hannay finds a corpse in his flat, and becomes involved in a plot by spies to precipitate war and subvert British naval power. The resourceful victim of a manhunt, he is pursued by both the police and the ruthless conspirators. 'The Thirty-Nine Steps' is a seminal "chase" thriller, rapid and vivid. It has been widely influential and frequently dramatised: the film directed by Alfred Hitchcock became a screen classic. This engaging novel also provides insights into the inter-action of patriotism, fear and prejudice. AUTHOR: John Buchan (1875-1940) was a Scottish writer of both fiction and non-fiction work. His most enduring work is 'The Thirty-Nine Steps', a ripping yarn featuring Richard Hannay, who went on to appear in a further four novels.