The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan
Set on the eve of World War I, the novel follows an ordinary man who becomes entangled in a dangerous plot after a mysterious stranger shows up at his apartment, claiming to be a spy. When the stranger is murdered, the protagonist is falsely accused and becomes a fugitive, fleeing to the Scottish highlands. He must unravel a conspiracy of international espionage and prevent a political assassination to clear his name.
The 521st greatest book of all time
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This book is on the following lists:
- 20th on The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time (Crime Writers' Association)
- 22nd on The Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time (Mystery Writers of America)
- 44th on The 100 Greatest Novels of All Time: The List (The Observer)
- 138th on The Big Read (BBC)
- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (The Book)
- 100 Best Novels Written in English (The Guardian)
- The Best Classics (The Times)