The works of Scottish politician, statesman and thriller writer John Buchan examined the nature of good and evil and explored the shifting boundaries between civilization and anarchy. Buchan published the best-selling The Thirty-Nine Steps in 1915, one of 40 novels of his long career, which also included 60 works of non-fiction.

This comprehensive companion to Buchan's mystery fiction includes entries on the characters, novels, short fiction, films, themes and symbols with special attention to the serialized secret agent Richard Hannay, Buchan's most famous character. Also included are photographs, chronologies, appendices, a brief biography, a bibliography and a thorough index.

Reviews of the Series: “The McFarland Companion series...has been consistently excellent, both in its choice of subjects and its quality of scholarship and writing”—Mystery Scene; “anyone who has fallen under the spell of John Buchan will find something of value in this excellent reference work”—Dime Novel Round-Up; “useful study”—ARBA; “for anyone developing an interest in Buchan, or for longtime fans, this is a valuable book to have”—Scarlet; “a first-class work of scholarship and a first-class popular guide to the fiction of a remarkable writer...an investment well worth its price”—English Literature in Transition; “an invaluable and timely tool...Macdonald has achieved the ideal function of a literary companion”—John Buchan Journal; “far more than a supplement to existing criticism, this book synthesizes and points out new directions for Buchan scolarship...credibly researched and judiciously presented..it infuses Buchan’s readers with a desire to return to his works with new enthusiasm”—Reference Reviews; “everything you need to know, and more”—Bookdealer; “a boon to Buchan readers”—Reference & Research Book News.

Kate Macdonald is a professor of English at the University of Ghent in Belgium. She was the editor of the John Buchan Journal from 1997 to 2007. She lives in Brussels. Series Editor Elizabeth Foxwell, an Agatha Award winner, serves as managing editor of Clues: A Journal of Detection and is an editor at McFarland.