The Thirty-Nine Steps - by John Buchan

The Thirty-Nine Steps is a 1915 novel by John Buchan.  (US Edition) (£0.71 UK Edition) (

EUR 0,99DE Edition)

If you are a fan of the really old Alfred Hitchcock (1935) - which is the best Hitchcock, you may have seen the version of this book that I think is really good.  (I am kind of old school.)  There have been more recent adaptations including a very ho-hum BBC version shown recently in the States on PBS and a Broadway play.

Obviously, with the Hitchcock connection, it has to be a thriller.

Here is a bit from the beginning:

'Can I speak to you?' he said. 'May I come in for a minute?' He was steadying his voice with an effort, and his hand was pawing my arm. 

I got my door open and motioned him in. No sooner was he over the threshold than he made a dash for my back room, where I used to smoke and write my letters. Then he bolted back.

 'Is the door locked?' he asked feverishly, and he fastened the chain with his own hand. 

'I'm very sorry,' he said humbly. 'It's a mighty liberty, but you looked the kind of man who would understand. I've had you in my mind all this week when things got troublesome. Say, will you do me a good turn?' 

'I'll listen to you,' I said. 'That's all I'll promise.' I was getting worried by the antics of this nervous little chap.

There was a tray of drinks on a table beside him, from which he filled himself a stiff whisky-and-soda. He drank it off in three gulps, and cracked the glass as he set it down. 

'Pardon,' he said, 'I'm a bit rattled tonight. You see, I happen at this moment to be dead.' 

What more is there to say?  What happens next!!!  Read on!

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