Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: The 39 Steps – A Contemporary Reimagining
AUTHOR: LM Somerton
PUBLISHER: Entwined Publishing
LENGTH: 203 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 20, 2025
BLURB:
Uncover the conspiracy, outrun the enemy, and trust no one—survival is the ultimate test.
Oberon Wycherley never thought his dull London life could take a deadly turn—until a frantic neighbour, American journalist Art Carew, claims to have uncovered an international conspiracy. A Greek industrialist is marked for assassination by a shadowy cabal called the Black Stone and that’s only the beginning.
When Carew is found dead in his flat, Oberon finds himself the prime suspect—and the only one who can stop the plot. Fleeing to the rugged Scottish Highlands, Oberon must decipher Carew’s cryptic notebook while dodging assassins and evading the police. Along the way, he forms an unlikely partnership with the enigmatic Syd Whatten, a man whose charm is matched only by his secrets.
As the Black Stone’s sinister plan accelerates, Oberon and Syd race against time to unmask the conspirators. From explosive escapes to a high-stakes standoff on a storm-battered coastline, every step brings them closer to the truth—and deeper into danger.
Will they foil the plot in time? Or will Oberon become another casualty of a deadly game?
A gripping blend of espionage, danger and unexpected alliances, this reimagining of The 39 Steps will leave you breathless to the last page.
REVIEW:
The adage ‘be careful what you wish for’ applies here, but to what end: death or saving the world? Recovering from injury, Oberon is fed up and finds that London is less exciting than he remembered. He wishes for something less mundane. Then, Oberon’s neighbor shows up at his flat. After sharing some conspiracy theories, Carew ends up dead. Disguised, Oberon flees and tries to stay one step ahead of those intent on killing him for what they believe he knows.
The 39 Steps is LM Somerton’s modern retelling of the 1915 classic – and it is superb. From the first page, I was totally engrossed. I put my feet up and kept reading till the end, only stopping for a cuppa, and pasta. The tale is a fast-moving, spicy, action-adventure, and takes the reader from London to the Scottish Highlands and a iddy-bit between.
The story is told in the third person from Oberon’s sole viewpoint. Worldbuilding is a combination of physical detail, cyber-cracking and trying to survive. To this end, nothing is overly detailed as it would interrupt the fast flow, which I loved. Yet, the author manages to cram everything needed for an entertaining, page-turning, action-packed adventure.
Oberon is a determined individual, excitedly scared for his life, and feeling alive while he does it. Syd is a handful of a man with secrets. I was highly entertained by Syd and Oberon’s interactions until Syd’s sister Fran came into the mix. Their banter was sublime. A lot of spice is contained within the pages, including some spanking, but it complements the story without overriding it.
The 39 Steps is a rollercoaster of a tale that maintains its flow to the end. This modern retelling contains environmental issues, woke, conspiracy, murder, MI5, an encounter with a gorse bush, landed gentry, extremists, beautiful scenery, much, much more, ultimately putting one’s life on the line.
What a ride – perfect.
I’m gonna go read it again now. Sqweeeeee.
RATING: 
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Thanks so much for taking the time to review, it’s much appreciated, LM xx