First published in 1907 the novel gives an insight into life in Scotland and Europe immediately before the 1st World War -an exploration of capitalism, an expose of mining practices and the first car chase in fiction. A fine adventure romance, predating Buchan's 39 Step and just as gripping.

A pleasant easy romance with sociological overtones. The moral questions do not come from the narrative, but from the characters' comments as the events move on.

Vida or 'The Iron Lord of Kirktown' is very much a 'lost' Crockett novel, which is a shame because it contains so much that is worth reading. As social commentary on emerging capitalism and socialism it is fascinating, and it also gives insight into the turmoil in a Europe on the brink of The Great War. It also thrills with the first car chase written in fiction.