THE first John Buchan novel in more than 70 years will be launched in Peebles later this month.

The famed author, who wrote The Thirty-Nine Steps, grew up in Tweeddale and died in 1940.

But St Andrews-based writer Robert J Harris has brought his hero Richard Hannay back to the fray in a gripping World War II adventure – The Thirty?One Kings.

And a special event will be held at the John Buchan Story Museum in Peebles to mark the occasion.

The book is a fast?paced thriller that sees Hannay (first introduced in The Thirty?Nine Steps) back in service, tracking down a missing agent as the German army advances towards Paris in 1940.

Old friends and new allies join him in a helter?skelter chase across France.

Speaking ahead of the launch, author Robert J Harris said: “It has been a privilege to bring John Buchan’s wonderful characters back to life and I look forward to sharing that experience with other admirers of his in this the best of all possible settings.”

As well as being a historian, journalist, soldier and public servant, Buchan was also involved in politics.

He served as the Governor General of Canada from 1935 until his death on February 11, 1940.

But he is most famous for his story The Thirty-Nine Steps – an adventure novel first published in 1915.

And his legacy continues to live on with his books, and, more recently, film adaptations still proving popular.

The launch event of The Thirty-One Kings will take place at the John Buchan Story Museum in The Chambers Institution from 6pm-8pm on Wednesday, June 13.

Ian Buckingham, from the museum told the Peeblesshire News: “Our museum features many aspects of Buchan’s life and his stories, and we are delighted that we can now add a further chapter to the life of Richard Hannay.”

The event is free, but is ticketed.

Reserved tickets can be collected on the night of the event.

To book a ticket, contact Ian on 07835 149 706. Refreshments will also be served at the event.