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Michael McGillicuddy and the Most Amazing Race
Puzzling Intrigue. Epic Adventure. Cut-throat competition.
When a quiet introvert and gifted tinkerer, Michael McGillicuddy, is invited to participate in the annual race organized by a secret society called the Order of the Blue Cloak, he forces himself to take a chance. Participation in this year’s race represents a dual opportunity: To honor his father’s legacy, and to win a prize sufficient to pay taxes on his mother’s land to avoid foreclosure.
The action-packed adventure that follows features a vibrant cast of characters, and includes some of the brightest minds and most unscrupulous characters 1895 Europe has to offer, including a Luxembourgish railroad baron, a middle-eastern mystic, a lone-wolf bounty hunter, a British female spy and a Dutch female alchemist. A devious circus ringmaster, and his equally devious crew, including a strong-man with a mechanical arm and a ruthless female enforcer with a chip on her shoulder and a penchant for poison, provide the main antagonistic forces.
Follow the racers over land, sea and air, from London’s outskirts all the way to Paris, as they risk life and limb to embark on a scavenger hunt-style race with few, but important, rules. The winner of this year’s race will be the first to solve all the milestone puzzles and arrive at the finish with a complete and matching set of milestone tokens. Along the way, Michael will encounter intellectual challenges, fantastical creatures, games you’ve never heard of, physical peril, sabotage, betrayal, love, heartbreak, and even a touch of magic, all while discovering himself and a newfound taste for adventure.
But as a novice among experts, and with the odds so strongly stacked against him, can Michael possibly have what it takes?
When a quiet introvert and gifted tinkerer, Michael McGillicuddy, is invited to participate in the annual race organized by a secret society called the Order of the Blue Cloak, he forces himself to take a chance. Participation in this year’s race represents a dual opportunity: To honor his father’s legacy, and to win a prize sufficient to pay taxes on his mother’s land to avoid foreclosure.
The action-packed adventure that follows features a vibrant cast of characters, and includes some of the brightest minds and most unscrupulous characters 1895 Europe has to offer, including a Luxembourgish railroad baron, a middle-eastern mystic, a lone-wolf bounty hunter, a British female spy and a Dutch female alchemist. A devious circus ringmaster, and his equally devious crew, including a strong-man with a mechanical arm and a ruthless female enforcer with a chip on her shoulder and a penchant for poison, provide the main antagonistic forces.
Follow the racers over land, sea and air, from London’s outskirts all the way to Paris, as they risk life and limb to embark on a scavenger hunt-style race with few, but important, rules. The winner of this year’s race will be the first to solve all the milestone puzzles and arrive at the finish with a complete and matching set of milestone tokens. Along the way, Michael will encounter intellectual challenges, fantastical creatures, games you’ve never heard of, physical peril, sabotage, betrayal, love, heartbreak, and even a touch of magic, all while discovering himself and a newfound taste for adventure.
But as a novice among experts, and with the odds so strongly stacked against him, can Michael possibly have what it takes?
- GenresSteampunk
420 pages, Paperback
Published June 5, 2019
About the author
Trevor A. Dutcher
2 books98 followersI am a practicing attorney who writes fiction for fun. Michael McGillicuddy and the Most Amazing Race is my debut novel, and Keepers of the Lightis my second release. Fret not, I have more in the works.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 4, 2021
The use of magic in this story made it hard to take it seriously.
July 16, 2019
If you've ever seen the Wacky Races by Hanna-Barbera, then you might have a little idea of what one leg of the race Michael McGillicuddy experiences is like. This steampunk book has a little of everything: heroes, heroines, villains, back-stabbers, fun gadgets, puzzles, and more.
Thoughts:
For those who haven't seen the Wacky Races cartoon, it was a group of cars all racing to different locations, trying to earn the title of World's Wackiest Racer. Each car was so unique and different, you often wondered how they were able to run, but then it was a cartoon so maybe you didn't. The race that Michael McGillicuddy is part of has three legs: by land, by sea, by air. Each contestant must come up with his or her own transportation for each leg of the race sometimes to hilarious visuals. One character in particular decides that a monocycle (not a unicycle) is his preferred choice of race vehicle for the land part. I can't imagine racing in that, but he ends up doing ok in that part so perhaps I am wrong.
In this book, there is no wondering who the main villains are that Michael needs to watch out for. They are clearly laid out and identified for you; however, there are others in the race that aren't necessarily angels and make you wonder what type of mischief they may cause. Because after all this is the type of race where you would definitely want to sabotage others - that is, if your personality leaned more toward the villain side than hero side. Although there is clearly villainy and mischief at work during the race, there were times I would have gladly taken even more - something like "I'm going to make you slip on oil so that you spin out of control" type of mischief that can delay one of your favorites in the race.
The characters were all very well done and entertaining to read. When called for most of them also worked really well together considering they were all competitors at the start of the race. But, I was really impressed that all of them had their time to shine and each brought something to the table. I remember thinking while reading that I wanted more of Kamal because I felt like he was getting left out, when very shortly after a situation or puzzle arose that called for his skills to be used. The only thing I didn't quite know how to take is how much they relied on Michael during puzzle time, which seemed to be a lot. Too much, sometimes. Yes, other characters were used for puzzles, but since they are all in this highly competitive race I would have expected more folks voice their thoughts and opinions at times. An example, is when they were in a shop in Paris. Three of the group just held back letting the others figure things out. Maybe you can't have them all be up front and center in the book, but it felt odd that these competitors were just 'hangin' at times.
Overall, this is a great read and just a lot of fun. It has a terrific cast of characters that are so diverse and different that you can't help but cheer on at least one during the race. At the end, it also sets up nicely for the next book in the series, which I look forward to reading.
Thoughts:
For those who haven't seen the Wacky Races cartoon, it was a group of cars all racing to different locations, trying to earn the title of World's Wackiest Racer. Each car was so unique and different, you often wondered how they were able to run, but then it was a cartoon so maybe you didn't. The race that Michael McGillicuddy is part of has three legs: by land, by sea, by air. Each contestant must come up with his or her own transportation for each leg of the race sometimes to hilarious visuals. One character in particular decides that a monocycle (not a unicycle) is his preferred choice of race vehicle for the land part. I can't imagine racing in that, but he ends up doing ok in that part so perhaps I am wrong.
In this book, there is no wondering who the main villains are that Michael needs to watch out for. They are clearly laid out and identified for you; however, there are others in the race that aren't necessarily angels and make you wonder what type of mischief they may cause. Because after all this is the type of race where you would definitely want to sabotage others - that is, if your personality leaned more toward the villain side than hero side. Although there is clearly villainy and mischief at work during the race, there were times I would have gladly taken even more - something like "I'm going to make you slip on oil so that you spin out of control" type of mischief that can delay one of your favorites in the race.
The characters were all very well done and entertaining to read. When called for most of them also worked really well together considering they were all competitors at the start of the race. But, I was really impressed that all of them had their time to shine and each brought something to the table. I remember thinking while reading that I wanted more of Kamal because I felt like he was getting left out, when very shortly after a situation or puzzle arose that called for his skills to be used. The only thing I didn't quite know how to take is how much they relied on Michael during puzzle time, which seemed to be a lot. Too much, sometimes. Yes, other characters were used for puzzles, but since they are all in this highly competitive race I would have expected more folks voice their thoughts and opinions at times. An example, is when they were in a shop in Paris. Three of the group just held back letting the others figure things out. Maybe you can't have them all be up front and center in the book, but it felt odd that these competitors were just 'hangin' at times.
Overall, this is a great read and just a lot of fun. It has a terrific cast of characters that are so diverse and different that you can't help but cheer on at least one during the race. At the end, it also sets up nicely for the next book in the series, which I look forward to reading.
July 18, 2019
Summary
Michael McGillicuddy and the Most Amazing Race is a novel which takes you across the land, sea, and air in... well, a most amazing race - one that I enjoyed experiencing from start to finish. There were a few aspects of the story, particularly as we neared the end, which didn't gel with me but those missteps didn't detract from the story as a whole.
Steampunk with a Dash of Fantasy
For starters, I really enjoyed the world that Michael, our primary protagonist, resides. The depth to which details are provided make you feel like you're there in Victorian Europe. Related to this, Trevor does not skimp on the details where the technology is concerned, either - something I greatly appreciated. The variety of racing vehicles - and how they worked - were on full display, those details making the experience that much more visceral.
The characters we encounter before and during the race are all given a similar level of detail, and not just with physical characteristics. I was left impressed by the juggling act I experienced where every character presented got their time in the limelight, with full backstories shared with the reader, their motives behind their participation in the race - very little was left out. They all had strong voices and personalities. Because of this, there weren't any characters who I felt were unnecessary for the story to advance.
Granted, our antagonist does ultimately stand out like a really sore thumb, but with that character we get Belladonna, my favorite character in the entire story. Just a truly fascinating character in terms of how she was presented throughout the story, and ended up being one that I rooted for despite her malevolent intentions.
This brings me to my one key gripe which I had as the story came to a close.
I felt that some characters just didn't get much in the way of closure by the time the book ended. John Ramshorn, for example, sort of just disappeared after . After that we continued onward without looking back - no satisfying confrontation or conclusion - with quite a few chapters left to read. Given how much treatment he received throughout the book in terms of character development this felt very anticlimactic.
Gripes Aside, I'm Ready to Fly Again
You have an incredible alternate Earth here, one that I feel has a ton of potential for additional stories. I believe this is a strong debut novel - one that I sincerely hope spawns a sequel!
Michael McGillicuddy and the Most Amazing Race is a novel which takes you across the land, sea, and air in... well, a most amazing race - one that I enjoyed experiencing from start to finish. There were a few aspects of the story, particularly as we neared the end, which didn't gel with me but those missteps didn't detract from the story as a whole.
Steampunk with a Dash of Fantasy
For starters, I really enjoyed the world that Michael, our primary protagonist, resides. The depth to which details are provided make you feel like you're there in Victorian Europe. Related to this, Trevor does not skimp on the details where the technology is concerned, either - something I greatly appreciated. The variety of racing vehicles - and how they worked - were on full display, those details making the experience that much more visceral.
The characters we encounter before and during the race are all given a similar level of detail, and not just with physical characteristics. I was left impressed by the juggling act I experienced where every character presented got their time in the limelight, with full backstories shared with the reader, their motives behind their participation in the race - very little was left out. They all had strong voices and personalities. Because of this, there weren't any characters who I felt were unnecessary for the story to advance.
Granted, our antagonist does ultimately stand out like a really sore thumb, but with that character we get Belladonna, my favorite character in the entire story. Just a truly fascinating character in terms of how she was presented throughout the story, and ended up being one that I rooted for despite her malevolent intentions.
This brings me to my one key gripe which I had as the story came to a close.
I felt that some characters just didn't get much in the way of closure by the time the book ended. John Ramshorn, for example, sort of just disappeared after . After that we continued onward without looking back - no satisfying confrontation or conclusion - with quite a few chapters left to read. Given how much treatment he received throughout the book in terms of character development this felt very anticlimactic.
Gripes Aside, I'm Ready to Fly Again
You have an incredible alternate Earth here, one that I feel has a ton of potential for additional stories. I believe this is a strong debut novel - one that I sincerely hope spawns a sequel!
July 3, 2019
Every once in awhile a book comes along that presents the reader with an amazing story; this is one of those books. Written in a classic literature style in which characters are fascinating, the setting hops from place to place and imagination soars, Dutcher has surpassed my wildest dreams of good old fashioned storytelling. Michael McGillicuddy is in his 20’s, an engineer by day and an inventor by night. He has a history with the race but is nonetheless surprised when he receives his invite. From that day on he prepares for the race; this includes leaving his job, his Mother and risking everything. I can not stress the depth of imagination it took to come up with the various modes of transportation, the astonishing characters, the adventures of the race and managing to keep the reader on the edge of their seat longing to find out who wins and how the story plays out. The reader is constantly trying to figure out who is an antagonist and who is the hero. Don’t miss this fantastic summer read! It is a great family read out loud, young adult, adult story. I am holding my breath for the movie to come out but in the meantime I am loving what it did for my own imagination!
July 3, 2019
Well written, entertaining story. Could use an editor for grammatical errors and odd punctuation.
September 8, 2019
This was a very enjoyable first novel in the steampunk genre written by a co-worker. As with many self-published books, there were a few too many typos, but hopefully, those can be cleaned up in an update. The other challenge I had with the book was more fundamental and concerned about how the race was tracked. Although the objective was to be first over the finish line with all the necessary tokens picked up along the way, the teams didn’t seem to be in any particular hurry to start each day after the first. But despite a few rough areas like this in the plot, I found myself wanting to keep reading late each night.
May 21, 2023
Oof. Read it for my family book club, and it was my first time reading something from a self-published author. Fun to branch out to the steampunk genre, I guess?
May 30, 2020
Was looking for a good Steampunk Airship story, what I found was a surprising, fun, Scavenger hunt.
What disappointed though was leaving his plotline open but contantly changing character plot to suit a situation toward end of story. That seemed shallow, rushed, and unfinished to me. It's a good beginners Steampunk story.
What disappointed though was leaving his plotline open but contantly changing character plot to suit a situation toward end of story. That seemed shallow, rushed, and unfinished to me. It's a good beginners Steampunk story.
October 20, 2019
"Michael McGillicuddy and the Most Amazing Race" by Trevor Dutcher is a steampunk adventure novel about a young man's quest to solve a puzzle in an intricate game over land, sea, and air.
The steampunk elements and vehicles are interesting. Modes of travel were creative and fun, invoking a compelling story. The prospect of being invited to participate in a cross-the-world contest was thrilling.
I was torn between giving this book a three or a four star rating. It has a generally good story base, and the language is clear. I would have given AT LEAST a 4 out of 5 star rating if not for the redundancy, long sentences, lack of showing instead of telling, and the let-down that the action did not satisfy the adventure, particularly at the end which trails off without a solid solution. I think the author has a good thing here, and once it is polished up, could be a real page turner.
The steampunk elements and vehicles are interesting. Modes of travel were creative and fun, invoking a compelling story. The prospect of being invited to participate in a cross-the-world contest was thrilling.
I was torn between giving this book a three or a four star rating. It has a generally good story base, and the language is clear. I would have given AT LEAST a 4 out of 5 star rating if not for the redundancy, long sentences, lack of showing instead of telling, and the let-down that the action did not satisfy the adventure, particularly at the end which trails off without a solid solution. I think the author has a good thing here, and once it is polished up, could be a real page turner.
September 9, 2019
Need a book that you can curl up with and forget about the rest of the world – this may be it. My reading for an hour on Sunday afternoon turned into several hours because I just had to know what was going to happen. This book is filled with adventure, interesting characters, challenges, and intriguing mechanical devices. A little like Indian Jones meets Around the World in 80 Days.
While you can read it quickly, with the layers of subplots and character complications that are running simultaneously, you should slow down and enjoy. The main character, Michael is a young man that has led a pretty sheltered life, but when the opportunity presents itself to participate in The Order of the Blue Cloak Race he takes a leap both physically and emotionally.
While you can read it quickly, with the layers of subplots and character complications that are running simultaneously, you should slow down and enjoy. The main character, Michael is a young man that has led a pretty sheltered life, but when the opportunity presents itself to participate in The Order of the Blue Cloak Race he takes a leap both physically and emotionally.
June 19, 2019
A great storyline
Could not put this down. The characters and storyline kept me highly immersed within the novel and the ending was quite spectacular.
Could not put this down. The characters and storyline kept me highly immersed within the novel and the ending was quite spectacular.
August 19, 2019
Steampunk adventure
Loved this story and the world it is set in. Great characters, both heroes and villains. And lots of action. I do hope there is more to come.
Loved this story and the world it is set in. Great characters, both heroes and villains. And lots of action. I do hope there is more to come.
February 4, 2020
I happened upon this book entirely by chance as it popped up in Amazon suggestions, and the reviews were extremely positive and obviously written by intelligent people, so I figured why not. I rarely read literature classified as steam punk, but as a school librarian and an educator, I easily read at least three books a week, most of them fantasy, many of those YA fantasy. This novel is absolutely appropriate for older teens, and I think they will love it. Though I believe it's intended for an older audience, I feel like a wide variety of readers will devour it. I really hope people find this novel. I read it in a day, and enjoyed every minute. It's the most colorful escape to the most bizarre world. Unlike the typical fault of so many debut novelists, Dutcher wastes no time on needless exposition. The story moves quickly and expounds upon world building via local color and dialogue instead of page after page of background information. From this stand point, it was sort of hard for me to believe that this was a first novel (and, for that matter, that this author is also an attorney). It certainly doesn't read with that awkwardness one would expect and forgive. The prose is actually quite smooth, even beautiful and elegant.
The characters...oh where do I start? I don't want to give anything away because part of joy I experienced in reading this work was happening upon all these outrageous yet lovably fascinating people. I guess I will just say that they are diverse and their voices (the dialogue) is perfect. As a somewhat random comment, this author is most certainly sensitive to language--not tone deaf. I read and enjoy many authors who are utterly tone deaf. Having a poet's ear isn't a prerequisite for writing a wonderful book. But oh man, it's so nice when prose writers put words together well.
The ending while satisfying seems to leave an opening for a sequel. This obviously wasn't intended to be a series, but I really hope that there will be a sequel, and I hope by the time there is one, a major publisher has snapped it and given it the release it deserves.
Anyone hesitant: yes, when I was debating whether or not to purchase the book, I thought...okay a race...do I want to read this sort of plot device again. Please let me tell you this book in reality is anything but predictable/cliche. I had no idea what I was in for. And my presumptions about the race as patterned trope were utterly wrong.
This is most certainly a wonderful read, a great escape, and well worth your time!
The characters...oh where do I start? I don't want to give anything away because part of joy I experienced in reading this work was happening upon all these outrageous yet lovably fascinating people. I guess I will just say that they are diverse and their voices (the dialogue) is perfect. As a somewhat random comment, this author is most certainly sensitive to language--not tone deaf. I read and enjoy many authors who are utterly tone deaf. Having a poet's ear isn't a prerequisite for writing a wonderful book. But oh man, it's so nice when prose writers put words together well.
The ending while satisfying seems to leave an opening for a sequel. This obviously wasn't intended to be a series, but I really hope that there will be a sequel, and I hope by the time there is one, a major publisher has snapped it and given it the release it deserves.
Anyone hesitant: yes, when I was debating whether or not to purchase the book, I thought...okay a race...do I want to read this sort of plot device again. Please let me tell you this book in reality is anything but predictable/cliche. I had no idea what I was in for. And my presumptions about the race as patterned trope were utterly wrong.
This is most certainly a wonderful read, a great escape, and well worth your time!
June 16, 2020
I agree with Estott that this book would be greatly improved by rigorous spell-checking and editing for grammar errors. The pacing was brisk at times, the plot twists enjoyable, but it felt like the author was sticking too closely to steampunk stereotypes at the cost of character development.
Overall, this was a solid achievement for a first novel. I hope Trevor Dutcher works with a strict editor for his next works.
Overall, this was a solid achievement for a first novel. I hope Trevor Dutcher works with a strict editor for his next works.
May 11, 2020
What a most amazing read! This genre isn’t something I would gravitate towards, but I am so glad I picked up this novel. Exceptional character development, a captivating story, and descriptions so vivid that each scene jumps off the page makes Trevor Dutcher’s first novel hard to put down. This novel begs to be adapted for the big screen. I can’t wait for the sequel!
January 19, 2026
I wish there was more depth here! It has good bones, but I felt like most things were way too obviously laid out for the reader. The inclusion of supernatural elements/magic also forced and incongruent with the rest of the story.
Overall, it was an easy read but not one I’d pick up again.
Overall, it was an easy read but not one I’d pick up again.
July 3, 2020
This was fun!
Fun fun fun romp! I loved it! Good work, great read, and I am definitely looking forward to the sequel!
Fun fun fun romp! I loved it! Good work, great read, and I am definitely looking forward to the sequel!
January 3, 2025
I don't do book reviews
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.
July 27, 2019
Entertaining , in a juvenile and rather breathless way. In desperate, CRYING need of a spell check and grammar editor. Nice atmosphere, maybe a few too many descriptions of puzzles- no matter how interesting Cubetta might be in theory it doesn't come to life on the page- this might be better as a graphic novel.. Main characters are good, the rest are cardboard- infodump sources and plot fodder.
Perhaps the sequel might flesh things out a bit.
Perhaps the sequel might flesh things out a bit.
September 16, 2019
Enthralling read; I can't wait for the sequel. A fascinating escape into a steampunk universe, this book moves along at a crisp, engaging pace and takes the reader through a whirlwind journey. The wide cast of characters all have real heart and depth, and I genuinely missed them when the book ended. I can't wait to see what Dutcher writes next.
September 14, 2020
Entertaining read, but kind-of juvenile--like the descriptions of the characters' movements, telling the reader HOW they spoke, and heavy use of adverbs and 'was'.
I haven't read anything in the Steampunk genre, but I enjoyed it.
I haven't read anything in the Steampunk genre, but I enjoyed it.
July 6, 2019
I enjoyed the adventurous story!
January 10, 2025
I read a sample so I can't give a full review. I enjoyed the sample, set in England and Paris, which features inventors and automata and sets the scene for a race on land, sea and air. The Eiffel Tower has newly been built for an exhibition in Paris, and dirigibles are the order of the day. I am calling this steampunk and so far, it is suitable for YAs or adults. I would be happy to read the full book.
This is an unbiased review.
This is an unbiased review.
x-did-not-finish-25
February 5, 2026Perhaps IT is good but I got bored and didn’t finish
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews