The 39 Steps by John Buchan

In The 39 Steps by John Buchan, an ordinary man Richard Hannay is drawn into a spy conspiracy, forced to flee across Scotland to clear his name and stop a global threat. When a spy is murdered in his London apartment, Richard Hannay becomes the prime suspect—and a key figure in a complex espionage plot on the eve of World War I. As he races through the Scottish highlands to elude authorities and enemy agents, Hannay uncovers the mysterious “39 Steps,” a clue to a dangerous plan. Buchan’s novel is fast-paced, patriotic, and filled with chases, disguises, and last-minute escapes. It’s a pioneering thriller that paved the way for James Bond and Hitchcock’s film adaptation.