The Three Hostages was published in 1924 and is the fourth of five Richard Hannay novels by the Scottish author John Buchan. Hannay first appeared in The Thirty-Nine Steps which is the novel Buchan is primarily known for. The Three Hostages is set sometime after WWI and involves a plot by a criminal group trying to profit from conditions following the war. Hannay is persuaded to help recover three hostages seized by associates of this gang. The hostages include a young man, a young woman, and a 10-year old boy. At first Hannay is reluctant to join into the investigation but a cohort, Dr. Greenslade, and he puzzle over a cryptic poem sent by the kidnappers which refers to a blind woman spinning, a Norwegian barn, and "the Fields of Eden". Greenslade remembers hearing some of this before and it comes to him that he heard it from a man named Dominick Medina, a gifted and popular society man, poet and politician. As Hannay investigates, it becomes clear that Medina is behind the plot. So will Hannay be able to find the hostages before a deadline set by the abductors?
This was really a pretty good action adventure novel that I enjoyed more than The Thirty-Nine Steps which I read a couple of years ago. I think Buchan was influenced a lot by both Rider Haggard and Conan Doyle. The conclusion of this novel reminded me somewhat of Doyle's The Final Problem where Sherlock Holmes faces Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls. The novel also included elements of mysticism and the use of hypnotism to further the plot line. This was remindful of Sax Rohmer who may have been influenced by Buchan. This one also included a bit of anti-Semitism and racism scattered throughout the novel but that was very prevalent at the time this was written. Not sure if I will try to read more by Buchan but I wouldn't rule it out if something comes my way.
This was really a pretty good action adventure novel that I enjoyed more than The Thirty-Nine Steps which I read a couple of years ago. I think Buchan was influenced a lot by both Rider Haggard and Conan Doyle. The conclusion of this novel reminded me somewhat of Doyle's The Final Problem where Sherlock Holmes faces Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls. The novel also included elements of mysticism and the use of hypnotism to further the plot line. This was remindful of Sax Rohmer who may have been influenced by Buchan. This one also included a bit of anti-Semitism and racism scattered throughout the novel but that was very prevalent at the time this was written. Not sure if I will try to read more by Buchan but I wouldn't rule it out if something comes my way.
