The Thirty-nine Steps

Originally published in the early 20th century, "The Thirty-Nine Steps" is the first of five novels that features action hero Richard Hannay, who, with a stiff upper lip, has the talent of being able to get himself out of the stickiest of situations.

Boys are mysterious creatures, with rich imaginations and inner lives at which most can only guess. Luckily, a few writers have the talent to capture their fantasies of extraordinary adventure and epic bravery. Inspired by the success of "The Dangerous Book For Boys," the six titles of the "Penguin Great Books For Boys" collection celebrate the adventurer within every boy with tales of shipwreck, murder, espionage, and survival. With a striking series look that is nostalgic and, at the same time, completely modern, these Great Books For Boys are sure to appeal to boys young and old.
Adventurer Richard Hannay has just returned from South Africa and is thoroughly bored with his London life a until a murder is committed in his flat, just days after the victim had warned him of an assassination plot that could bring Britain to the brink of war. An obvious suspect for the police and an easy target for the killers, Hannay goes on the run in his native Scotland, where he must use all his wits to stay one step ahead of the game a and warn the government before it is too late. One of the most popular adventure stories ever written, The Thirty-Nine Steps established John Buchan as the original thriller writer and inspired many other novelists and filmmakers including Alfred Hitchcock.