Mike Chen’s debut is about a time traveler who becomes trapped in San Francisco after his most recent mission. With no way back to the future and no hope of rescue, Kin Stewart eventually settled into his surroundings, got a job, got married, and started a family. But now his rescue team has arrived, almost two decades later, and wants to take him back to 2142, where only a few weeks have passed since he left, and his other family is waiting for him. What’s a former time-traveling secret agent to do?

What starts out for Ben as a quick hike to stretch his legs during a work trip turns into a never-ending walk filled with bizarre and illuminating adventures in this fantastic novel. Ben’s stroll brings him face-to-face with all kinds of obstacles and creatures, including monsters, giants, and a foul-mouthed crab. What is the point of this walk that seems to go on forever? Who or what is keeping him here? And why does the crab swear so much?