One of the Madding Crowd

by David W Dutton

For Marc Steadman, born into the upper crust of Martin’s Neck, anything he wants is his. Parties are weekly events where the servants don’t watch the liquor cabinet. Long, lazy summers are spent at family beach homes with his cousin, Tom. And while neither boy feels much love from their self-involved parents, they deeply care about each other. When the charming Christabel moves to town, Marc’s young life looks progressively better. However, wealthy children like Tom and Marc are expected, above all else, to be obedient to their parents. The code of the rich is to be seen (and, of course, smartly turned out) but not heard. When his father decides Marc needs to attend a military academy rather than the local school, although both Tom and Marc are devastated, there is little Marc can do but concede. When Marc arrives at the academy a powerful upperclassman sees something in Marc he wants for himself, and decides to force Marc to bend to his will. Knowing that calls for help, no matter how desperate, are ignored in order to keep the veneer unblemished, Marc decides that if his words have no power, his actions will. One thing he has been taught well by his upbringing protect your way of life first, and dare them to ask you to justify your actions. Is there such a thing as a victimless crime? From author David W. Dutton comes ONE OF THE MADDING CROWD, a taut thriller that examines how far one man will go to create the life he was promised, and protect the people he loves.Who will blink first, Marc, or you?

262 pages, Paperback

Published September 2, 2018

Reviews

[Dianne Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the first novel by David Dutton, who has published many short stories with publisher Devil's Party Press (DPP). Publishing with DPP tells me right away that David is in the second half of his life, as DPP only publishes older writers.
What is wonderful about One of the Madding Crowd is that it is a sinister book, but you'd never know it. It looks innocent, and it reads innocent, and then you realize that something is going on underneath the veneer.
I don't want to spoil it for anyone by saying anything else.
However, on a side note, Dutton's prose is always smooth going, and you will find you progress quickly through this book, almost pleasantly, although plenty of unpleasant... well, I'll stop myself right there.
Enjoy friends!

[Christina M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable read! There are plenty of twists and turns that made me not want it put it down. It was particularly fun to read a book where the setting is in the local area (Delaware). I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy a local, historical fiction book.