If you enjoy reading books by John Buchan then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who enjoy the adventure and suspense of John Buchan will appreciate Alistair MacLean’s thrillers. MacLean’s novels are known for vivid settings, believable heroes, and plots filled with clever twists.
One standout is “The Guns of Navarone,” a gripping World War II adventure set in the Greek Islands. A daring team of soldiers is sent on a seemingly impossible mission to destroy massive German guns controlling a critical stretch of Mediterranean seas.
Facing relentless danger and betrayal, the characters battle not only enemy forces but their own fears and doubts. This tense, action-filled story highlights the courage and grit it takes to turn the tides of war.
Arthur Conan Doyle is the creator of the legendary Sherlock Holmes detective series and a writer who captures readers with suspenseful plots and memorable characters.
If you enjoy John Buchan’s thrillers like “The Thirty-Nine Steps,” you might appreciate Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles.”
In this tale, Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson investigate the chilling legend of a demonic hound that terrorizes the Baskerville family on the moors of Devonshire.
Doyle paints vivid pictures of eerie moorlands, secret motives, and mysterious events, creating a captivating read full of twists that keep you guessing.
Readers who enjoy John Buchan’s adventurous storytelling may also appreciate the exciting novels of H. Rider Haggard. Haggard was an English writer known for his captivating adventure tales set in exotic locations. One of his most famous works is “King Solomon’s Mines.”
In this novel, the courageous hunter Allan Quatermain leads an expedition into unexplored Africa in search of a missing aristocrat and legendary treasure. They journey through dangerous landscapes, face hostile tribes, and discover mysterious secrets of a forgotten civilization.
It’s a classic that blends action, history, and suspense into a memorable adventure.
Readers who enjoy John Buchan’s thrilling adventures might also appreciate the novels of Joseph Conrad. Conrad’s stories often explore human nature, morality, and the darker sides of adventure, all set against exotic and dangerous backgrounds.
In his novel “Heart of Darkness,” Conrad follows Charles Marlow, a steamship captain traveling up the Congo River into the wild and oppressive jungle.
Marlow sets out to find the mysterious Mr. Kurtz, an ivory trader shrouded in rumor and mystery, whose influence affects everyone around him.
The journey takes Marlow through troubling scenes that expose the harsh realities of colonialism and the thin line between civilization and savagery. Conrad’s powerful storytelling and vivid imagery make this book memorable and thought-provoking.
Rudyard Kipling was a writer famous for his engaging adventures set in exotic locations, rich with suspense and vivid imagery. If you’re a fan of John Buchan’s tales of intrigue and heroism, Kipling’s “Kim” is a captivating choice.
The story revolves around Kimball O’Hara, an orphan growing up on the bustling streets of colonial India. Skilled in disguise and espionage, Kim embarks on thrilling missions that blend political intrigue with colorful exploration of India’s diverse cultures and landscapes.
Kipling’s lively prose brings to life spies, soldiers, mystics, and secret missions, resulting in an adventurous read full of excitement and atmosphere.
If you enjoy the adventure and suspense of John Buchan’s novels, Wilbur Smith is an author to explore. Smith writes vivid stories full of high-stakes action set against exotic and historical backdrops. His novel “River God” is a great example.
It brings ancient Egypt vividly to life through the eyes of Taita, a talented slave and advisor to the Pharaoh. Taita navigates political intrigue, wartime dangers, and personal loss as Egypt faces turmoil and threats from within and beyond its borders.
Readers get to experience gripping chariot races, bold river journeys, and dramatic palace conspiracies. This novel combines compelling adventure with rich historical detail, making the reader feel transported directly into the ancient world.
Eric Ambler was an influential English author who specialized in spy thrillers set around Europe during tense political times. Readers who enjoy John Buchan’s suspenseful style and adventurous spirit will appreciate Ambler’s careful plotting and authentic atmosphere.
His thrilling novel “The Mask of Dimitrios” follows Charles Latimer, a mystery writer who becomes fascinated by the dark past of a notorious criminal named Dimitrios Makropoulos.
Latimer travels across Europe, slowly uncovering dangerous secrets as he meets people who knew Dimitrios and learns about his shadowy exploits. Fans of intrigue, international settings, and clever twists will find Ambler’s storytelling both entertaining and satisfying.
Frederick Forsyth is an author known for exciting thrillers featuring tightly plotted espionage and political themes.
If you enjoy John Buchan’s mixture of adventure and international intrigue in books like “The Thirty-Nine Steps,” Forsyth’s “The Day of the Jackal” would be a natural choice.
In this novel, Forsyth portrays a meticulous assassin who is hired to target French President Charles de Gaulle. The story shows the clever and tense interplay between the assassin’s careful preparations and the authorities desperately trying to stop him.
Forsyth masterfully creates suspense without sacrificing realism, making each twist and turn believable and surprising. This book offers the same thrill of daring pursuits and plot twists found in Buchan’s classic adventures.
Ian Fleming was a British author famous for his James Bond spy novels, filled with espionage, danger, and international intrigue. Readers who enjoy John Buchan’s tales of adventure and suspense might appreciate Fleming’s style as well.
In “Casino Royale,” Fleming introduces James Bond, a charismatic British secret agent tasked with bankrupting a ruthless Soviet operative named Le Chiffre at the baccarat tables of a luxurious French casino.
The stakes quickly rise beyond just money, with danger, deception, and betrayal at every corner. The book blends thrilling espionage, clever wit, and world-class villainy to keep readers absorbed from start to finish.
Readers who enjoy the adventure and suspense of John Buchan may find Jack Higgins equally captivating. Higgins is a master storyteller known for tightly plotted thrillers filled with espionage, military intrigue, and fast-paced action.
One of his most famous novels, “The Eagle Has Landed,” centers around a daring German mission during World War II to kidnap Winston Churchill from a remote English village.
The story follows Colonel Kurt Steiner, a resourceful and honorable paratrooper tasked with this nearly impossible assignment. Higgins skillfully intertwines fictional elements with historical realism, building suspense with every twist and turn.
Fans of Buchan’s classic adventure style, especially works like “The Thirty-Nine Steps,” may appreciate Higgins’ ability to immerse readers in tense and atmospheric wartime drama.
Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish novelist known for his vivid storytelling and memorable adventures. If you enjoy John Buchan’s tense thrillers and daring escapades, then Stevenson’s classic “Treasure Island” might appeal to you.
This story revolves around young Jim Hawkins, who discovers a mysterious pirate map and sets off on an exciting sea adventure to find buried treasure. Along the way, Jim encounters the cunning pirate, Long John Silver, whose charming demeanor hides dangerous secrets.
Stevenson masterfully captures the spirit of high seas adventure and moral conflict. If you appreciate tales filled with suspense, courage, and exploration, “Treasure Island” offers exactly that.
Books by C. S. Forester offer great adventures full of historical drama and intrigue, perfect for fans of John Buchan’s style. Forester is best known for his Hornblower series, naval adventures set during the Napoleonic Wars.
In “Mr. Midshipman Hornblower,” readers first meet young Horatio Hornblower, a tall and reserved young officer who faces pirates, duels, and harsh storms at sea. Throughout his missions and trials, Hornblower’s clever mind and persistent courage keep readers hooked.
Forester fills his stories with sharp character insights, vivid historical action, and tense battles—qualities familiar to anyone who enjoys Buchan’s novels.
Readers who enjoy John Buchan’s adventurous historical stories may find Conn Iggulden’s novels equally entertaining. Iggulden is a popular historical fiction writer best known for bringing vivid drama and realism to epic events of the past.
His book “The Gates of Rome” is the first in a series called the Emperor, which goes into detail about Julius Caesar’s extraordinary life story.
The book follows Caesar from his childhood days with his close friend Marcus, through intense training and family rivalries, toward his eventual rise to power. Iggulden has a talent for fast-paced action scenes, realistic battles, and powerful character-driven storytelling.
His attention to historical detail makes every chapter feel authentic, showing vividly the thrilling yet dangerous world of ancient Rome.
If you enjoy John Buchan’s adventure stories filled with suspense, twists, and danger, Desmond Bagley might be a great author to explore next. Bagley is known for stories set in exotic locations, with complex plots and thrilling challenges.
In “The Golden Keel,” protagonist Peter Halloran, a skilled boat builder, stumbles across a deadly wartime secret involving hidden treasure deep within Italian waters.
Soon he finds himself caught between ruthless rival treasure hunters, a mysterious past, and increasing danger at every turn. Bagley’s storytelling has urgency and vivid detail, pulling readers into a journey full of suspense, clever strategies, and unexpected twists.
Graham Greene was an English writer who mastered the art of suspenseful storytelling with depth. If you enjoy John Buchan’s thrilling espionage adventures, Greene’s novel “The Third Man” may draw you in.
Set in post-war Vienna, the story follows Holly Martins, an author investigating the mysterious death of his friend, Harry Lime. Soon Martins navigates shady dealings and secret agendas that reveal how blurred the lines of loyalty and morality can become.
Greene’s Vienna is atmospheric and dangerous, a city divided and uncertain, adding layers of intrigue that will keep readers hooked until the very last page.