It is 1877, but not as our world knew it. Isaac Waddington, his wife and father, travel to Princes Risborough to compete in the annual Peters Hill motorised pedestrian race. Open only to walking vehicles, the aim is to climb the hill against the clock; each crew has the dream of breaking the symbolic twenty-minute mark. Facing sexism, prejudice against their working class backgrounds and sabotage, the Waddingtons work hard to race their ‘Whitby Walker’ as best they can. Their objective is to beat the dominant six-legged vehicles. In doing so, they find camaraderie in unexpected places. All of these factors are set aside as they break through the starting tape and their steam-powered pedestrian sets forth in the race to the top.

This is a novella that combines engaging characters and fascinating technology. It not only shows a society so similar and yet markedly different to our own, but also provides a tale that will have you cheering on your favourite crew as they seek to climb Peters Hill faster than ever before.