The 100-Year-Old Thriller That Still Sets the Rules
58K views · Jul 28, 2026 · People & Blogs
Comments · 278
@jackkelsey9326 · 2 months ago
I'm old enough to remember the 1977 FA Cup final when Martin Buchan captained Manchester United to victory.<br>"It's fitting that a man named Buchan leads his team up the 39 steps to the Royal box" <br>John Motson.
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@Socrates-b9n · 1 month ago
I was waiting for you to mention Erskine Childers and The Riddle of the Sands. I loved it as a teenager.
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@kristinmarra7005 · 2 months ago
This is absolutely my favorite book podcast. Love the book choices. Love the discussions. Thanks so much!
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@Ildy04 · 2 months ago
I stopped listening halfway through to read the book then came back. The book is a fun romp but takes itself seriously and I liked that. The podcast discussion, as always, is so satisfying .
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@stevenpeaketrainsandstuff3682 · 2 months ago
My Grade 8 teacher read this book to us in English lessons in 1979. He dramatised it with his enthusiastic reading style, Scottish accents and all. I have 3 copies of this novel which i read every now and again. It reminds me of being at school.
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@curiouscassie · 2 months ago (edited)
John Buchan's sister, Anna Buchan, was also a novelist. Writing under the pseudonym O. Douglas, her stories are delightful snapshots of domestic life mostly in the Scottish Borders, filled with humour and heart.
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@rogerpattube · 1 month ago
Like it when you review books I’ve already read. Less guilt and expense.
13
@POGGIOALSERE · 2 months ago
I loved this book. Read it in high school and it has stayed with me ever since.
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@moggyroe · 2 months ago
Easily my favourite new podcast.<br><br>I would really love to hear a discussion of the various Adrian Mole diaries. I thought it might pop up in the best funny books chat. I dearly miss Sue Townsend. She seemed so effortlessly hilarious.
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@carltaylor6452 · 2 months ago
First modern thriller would have to be Childers' The Riddle of the Sands.
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@BooksForever · 2 months ago
Christopher Hitchens listed 39 Steps among his favorite novels.
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@gillianstapletondressmaker · 1 month ago
The 'tell' with the villain's appearance in stories is like the devil in folklore - however good his disguise, one feature remains of his true identity (his cloven hoof or his forked tail).
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