On the whole this is a fairly typical Richard Hannay adventure. There is a convoluted plot concocted by an obscure villain; death defying chases across rugged countryside; a cast of supporting charcaters, some of whom will be familiar to readers of other Hannay adventures; and, inevitably, a successful conclusion.

As with other books by John Buchan there is an element of casual racism which rears it's head from time to time, which some readers will find difficult to accept. Personally I look at it as being part of the period in which the books were written.

One distinguishing note is the fact that Hannay's wife plays a not insignificant role in this book whereas female characters have had little to do in other books by Buchan that I have read.