The Three Hostages

John Buchan

Oct 2013 · Harper Collins

About this ebook

The fourth book in John Buchan’s thriller series focusing on Richard Hannay, The Three Hostages finds the one-time secret agent married and living a tranquil, rural life until a series of kidnappings changes everything. Called on to retrieve the children of three prominent people Hannay is at first reluctant but is quickly drawn in to the mysterious abductions, which are linked are curiously linked by cryptic poems each victim’s family has received. What is at first a case of missing children turns out to be a thread in much grander and nefarious plot involving the charming but evil Dominick Medina. Reassembling many the characters from earlier Hannay adventures Hostages also introduces one of Buchan’s most memorable villains and reminds readers why is considered one of the great adventure writers of his time.

About the author

Author of the iconic novel The Thirty-Nine Steps, John Buchan filled many roles including barrister, colonial administrator, publisher, Director of Intelligence, and Member of Parliament. The Thirty-Nine Steps, first in the Richard Hannay series, is widely regarded as the starting point for espionage fiction and was written to pass time while Buchan recovered from an illness. During the outbreak of the First World War, Buchan wrote propaganda for the British war effort, combining his skills as author and politician. In 1935 Buchan was appointed the 15th Governor General of Canada and established the Governor General’s Literacy Award. Buchan was enthusiastic about literacy and the evolution of Canadian culture. He died in 1940 and received a state funeral in Canada before his ashes were returned to the United Kingdom.