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Macom Farm
Macom Farm, in the Township of Prank, a hideaway hamlet in Connecticut—is as beautiful as it is sinister, as tranquil as Gettysburg’s killing fields before the battle cries. Prank has complicated social maladies, underlying secrets, and remarkable attributes as a developer's dreamland, seen by Sullivan Development as a singularly unique opportunity to build a magnificent city structure. Conquering the obstacles devolves into a daunting contest no developer in history has been confronted with before.
Jason Lang recently graduated and newly hired at Sullivan, is appointed project manager in charge of exploring the viability of Prank—a seemingly benign career start that instead becomes his baptismal journey into chaos and mayhem. In due course, Jason teams up with Andrea Cole; a stunningly beautiful social analyst hired to evaluate the impact of such a project on the Prank population. Andrea and Jason find common ground and begin an intensely intimate and gripping relationship that endures many twists and ugly hardships.
If developers were to descend on Prank and disturb its anthills, the peaceful calm of rural living would be forever disturbed. But worse, a thriving local operation would be severely threatened, and that cannot be allowed to happen.
Macom Farm begins the chronicle as an intense standoff between the developer, the townsfolk, and an unknown force with evil ambitions—a mixture of clever parry-and-thrust, legal maneuvering, cyber warfare, flawed law, brutal murders, and perverse strategies.
Jason Lang recently graduated and newly hired at Sullivan, is appointed project manager in charge of exploring the viability of Prank—a seemingly benign career start that instead becomes his baptismal journey into chaos and mayhem. In due course, Jason teams up with Andrea Cole; a stunningly beautiful social analyst hired to evaluate the impact of such a project on the Prank population. Andrea and Jason find common ground and begin an intensely intimate and gripping relationship that endures many twists and ugly hardships.
If developers were to descend on Prank and disturb its anthills, the peaceful calm of rural living would be forever disturbed. But worse, a thriving local operation would be severely threatened, and that cannot be allowed to happen.
Macom Farm begins the chronicle as an intense standoff between the developer, the townsfolk, and an unknown force with evil ambitions—a mixture of clever parry-and-thrust, legal maneuvering, cyber warfare, flawed law, brutal murders, and perverse strategies.
456 pages, Paperback
Published November 30, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 12, 2023
I always get excited to read books by fellow Floridians. This book is the first of four, and it’s easy to tell that Baldwin has a real passion for writing. Prank, CT is like Derry in King novels in that it’s okay on the surface, but it has so much bubbling just below.
Baldwin uses his history in real estate to supplement the knowledge behind this story as a developer tries to elbow in on Prank. Jason, our main character here, jumps in over his head but learns to swim quite well as the story continues. There’s a bit of everything in this book, murder, mystery, legal woes, and good ole fashioned secrets. I enjoyed how this book unfolded a lot.
The book is long, but the pacing is good, so it doesn’t feel so long. It isn’t something you can read in a couple of days, but it’s something you will enjoy and should check out!
Baldwin uses his history in real estate to supplement the knowledge behind this story as a developer tries to elbow in on Prank. Jason, our main character here, jumps in over his head but learns to swim quite well as the story continues. There’s a bit of everything in this book, murder, mystery, legal woes, and good ole fashioned secrets. I enjoyed how this book unfolded a lot.
The book is long, but the pacing is good, so it doesn’t feel so long. It isn’t something you can read in a couple of days, but it’s something you will enjoy and should check out!
January 4, 2023
Macom Farm, in the Township of Prank, a hideaway hamlet in Connecticut, is as beautiful as it is sinister. As tranquil as Gettysburg's killing fields before the battle cries. Prank has complicated social maladies, underlying secrets, and remarkable attributes as a developer's dreamland. Seen by Sullivan Development as a singularly unique opportunity to build a magnificent city structure. Conquering the obstacles devolves into a daunting contest no developer in history has been confronted with before.
The writing style in Macon Farm is very engaging. I found the plot flowed nicely with some catchy dialogue that gave a very real feel to individual scenes. The characters are quite compelling, and I particularly enjoyed the love that develops between Jason and Andrea because of the intensity between them. Perfectly paced, this is a gripping legal thriller which left me immediately wanting to read the second book in the series. (the author does mention that there will be more!)
The writing style in Macon Farm is very engaging. I found the plot flowed nicely with some catchy dialogue that gave a very real feel to individual scenes. The characters are quite compelling, and I particularly enjoyed the love that develops between Jason and Andrea because of the intensity between them. Perfectly paced, this is a gripping legal thriller which left me immediately wanting to read the second book in the series. (the author does mention that there will be more!)
December 21, 2022
An Epic opening and a great read
Florida author Tom Baldwin has served as a journalist, a crime and features news reporter, author of shipbuilding proposals for naval and commercial ships, and a nuclear systems editor, having grown up in Connecticut - all factors that add to the credibility of this initial volume of his series Taking Prank Chronicles. As Baldwin notes, ‘MACOM FARM is a fictional tale supported by historical fact, unsettling law, emerging technologies, and interactions that resemble probability.’ He opens his series with poetry, poetically painting an atmosphere: ‘By around 6:00 p.m., the city park known as Boston Common began to resemble in its tranquility that of a suburban village green. That might change, but not until later, certainly not now, at least not until after the wane of a newly risen moon, appearing this night in late May as a supermoon - its countenance surreal as it rises above the horizon - close up, telescopic, revealing its craters, even the rubble within them cold be imagined…’ That quality of prose is present throughout this impressive novel.
Macom Farm is in the Connecticut township of Prank, and is a site destined for controversy as a wholly credible cast of characters deal with a proposed ‘development’ by an outside company that would destroy the farm’s gentle ease of rural living. As Baldwin describes the proposal, the challenge - ‘an intense standoff between the developer, the townsfolk, and an unknown force with evil ambitions-a mixture of clever parry-and-thrust, legal maneuvering, cyber warfare, flawed law, brutal murders, and perverse strategies.’ The drama initiated succeeds so well because of the high quality of the author’s prose, a fine mixture of romance, intrigue, humor, and legal issues all inspired by the New England atmosphere. This is an excellent opening volume of an interesting series.
Florida author Tom Baldwin has served as a journalist, a crime and features news reporter, author of shipbuilding proposals for naval and commercial ships, and a nuclear systems editor, having grown up in Connecticut - all factors that add to the credibility of this initial volume of his series Taking Prank Chronicles. As Baldwin notes, ‘MACOM FARM is a fictional tale supported by historical fact, unsettling law, emerging technologies, and interactions that resemble probability.’ He opens his series with poetry, poetically painting an atmosphere: ‘By around 6:00 p.m., the city park known as Boston Common began to resemble in its tranquility that of a suburban village green. That might change, but not until later, certainly not now, at least not until after the wane of a newly risen moon, appearing this night in late May as a supermoon - its countenance surreal as it rises above the horizon - close up, telescopic, revealing its craters, even the rubble within them cold be imagined…’ That quality of prose is present throughout this impressive novel.
Macom Farm is in the Connecticut township of Prank, and is a site destined for controversy as a wholly credible cast of characters deal with a proposed ‘development’ by an outside company that would destroy the farm’s gentle ease of rural living. As Baldwin describes the proposal, the challenge - ‘an intense standoff between the developer, the townsfolk, and an unknown force with evil ambitions-a mixture of clever parry-and-thrust, legal maneuvering, cyber warfare, flawed law, brutal murders, and perverse strategies.’ The drama initiated succeeds so well because of the high quality of the author’s prose, a fine mixture of romance, intrigue, humor, and legal issues all inspired by the New England atmosphere. This is an excellent opening volume of an interesting series.
January 3, 2023
Macom Farm – by Tom Baldwin is a gripping and well-written long novel about a small town on the brink of destruction through over-development. The first chapter alone piques your interest and keeps it as the story develops well beyond any expectation. With an intense and dangerous undercurrent, the plot takes shape as multiple forces come into play. The characters are well wrought and carefully integrated into the story, while the setting feels intimate and natural. Relationships are challenged and drama unfolds nicely in this epic tale. A challenging read, but one certainly worth your time and effort, you will find yourself flipping the pages to get to the end. Highly recommend.
February 6, 2023
Macom Farm is a fast paced fiction/legal thriller novel full of mystery, love and murder. A development company has its sights set on a small town, Prank, in Connecticut. However, between the townsfolk and an unknown force with sinister intentions the beauty and tranquility of the town is under threat from more than a new development structure, the developers also find them selves in position that no developer ever wants to be in. A pretty interesting premise, I thought, which is what made me decide to read the book.
Legal thrillers are I find wonderful entertainment if you can find a good one, and Tom Baldwin’s Macom Farm is one of the best I have read in a while. The writing style was quite pacy and the descriptive prose was very visual leading me to feel quite immersed in the book early on. I hadn’t previously read anything from Baldwin, but I cannot wait to delve into his next novel.
Legal thrillers are I find wonderful entertainment if you can find a good one, and Tom Baldwin’s Macom Farm is one of the best I have read in a while. The writing style was quite pacy and the descriptive prose was very visual leading me to feel quite immersed in the book early on. I hadn’t previously read anything from Baldwin, but I cannot wait to delve into his next novel.
January 28, 2023
Usually when starting a novel it takes a few chapters to get into the book but not with Tom Baldwin‘s books, because from the first chapter he starts off Adam momentum that he keeps up until the end and keeps you wanting more. It seems the more Jason learned the more my heart palpitated I can only hope the second book comes out soon. This is a book I highly recommend if you love fast pace action with great dialogue and a nice romance between you love Mackum Farm by Tom Baldwin. You can tell Mr. Baldwin has a great grasp on the subject matter as well as the English language I love the way he writes and can’t wait for more. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
January 29, 2024
Macom Farm by Tom Baldwin is the first book in the Taking of Frank series. It is a fictional work that is surrounded by mystery, suspense, murder, and cleverness. I liked how the author starts the book by surrounding the action in so much mystery when the character of Dr. Clinton Long is introduced, with his wariness and his final call from a phone butt to his son Jason. And then the action is moved several years into the future without giving an answer. One of the main aspects that hooked me to the story was the need and curiosity to find out what happened to Dr. Lang. I also loved the character of Nate Brown, Jason's grandfather, a smart and devious slumlord like a fox who has the right connections and knows how to deal with the opportunities and obstacles in his way.
January 17, 2023
Before I fell in love with the novel; Macom Farm, I fell in love with Tom Baldwin's passion and love of writing. He has a rare gift of a vocabulary that pulls you into the story; and opens a world illustrated by mere words. This novel has that eerie, mysterious feel, like when you walk on a foggy morning. You never know what is just out of sight, but your anticipation keeps you walking ahead. As the plot unfolds, you see the zeal that drives the characters. I couldn't help following Jason Lang. He is driven and passionate about every goal he sets out to accomplish. Could Macom Farm be the thing that stops him? I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
November 23, 2025
It is a gripping courtroom thriller that takes place in Connecticut's Township of Prank, a charming but dangerous village. The book delves into the murky underbelly of this ostensibly peaceful neighbourhood, exposing its intricate socioeconomic ills, hidden truths, and astonishing qualities as a developer's paradise.
The plot centres on the challenges faced by the Sullivan Development Company as they attempt to erect a spectacular city complex on Macom Farm. The developer's mission turns into a difficult challenge that no developer in history has ever had to face. As readers follow the story's flips and turn, the author keeps them on the edge of their seats with an engaging narrative. The author's descriptive prose offers a realistic image of the environment and the characters in an interesting and flowing writing style. The conversation is well-written and the plot moves along smoothly, giving each scene a highly authentic sense. The author does a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life, and they are really intriguing. I especially liked the strong love that grows between Jason and Andrea because it gives the narrative a dimension of complexity.
The book's flawless pacing keeps readers interested from beginning to end. Readers are left wanting more by the conclusion, and I am eager to read the next instalment in the series. It's fantastic news for readers of legal thrillers that there will be other novels in the series, as the author mentions. Tom Baldwin's "Macom Farm" is a compelling courtroom thriller that delves into the shady underbelly of a Connecticut hamlet. The plot is exciting, the characters are captivating, and the writing is interesting. The novel has the ideal pacing, and you want to read more. I heartily suggest it to anyone looking for a unique legal thriller.
You might like to wander through a few artistic journals — they’re full of sparks and surprises.
The plot centres on the challenges faced by the Sullivan Development Company as they attempt to erect a spectacular city complex on Macom Farm. The developer's mission turns into a difficult challenge that no developer in history has ever had to face. As readers follow the story's flips and turn, the author keeps them on the edge of their seats with an engaging narrative. The author's descriptive prose offers a realistic image of the environment and the characters in an interesting and flowing writing style. The conversation is well-written and the plot moves along smoothly, giving each scene a highly authentic sense. The author does a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life, and they are really intriguing. I especially liked the strong love that grows between Jason and Andrea because it gives the narrative a dimension of complexity.
The book's flawless pacing keeps readers interested from beginning to end. Readers are left wanting more by the conclusion, and I am eager to read the next instalment in the series. It's fantastic news for readers of legal thrillers that there will be other novels in the series, as the author mentions. Tom Baldwin's "Macom Farm" is a compelling courtroom thriller that delves into the shady underbelly of a Connecticut hamlet. The plot is exciting, the characters are captivating, and the writing is interesting. The novel has the ideal pacing, and you want to read more. I heartily suggest it to anyone looking for a unique legal thriller.
You might like to wander through a few artistic journals — they’re full of sparks and surprises.
September 4, 2025
Macom Farm is one of those rare reads that pulls you in from the very first page and doesn’t let go. The mix of small-town secrets, corporate ambition, and dark undercurrents creates a story that feels both thrilling and unsettling in the best way. Jason and Andrea’s journey is gripping, emotional, and full of unexpected twists that kept me turning the pages late into the night. The blend of suspense, romance, and mystery is done beautifully, and the tension between progress and preservation feels incredibly real. A powerful, haunting, and unforgettable story—I couldn’t recommend it more!
October 1, 2025
Macom Farm is a gripping blend of small-town intrigue, corporate ambition, and dark suspense that keeps you hooked from the very first page. Tom Baldwin masterfully weaves together mystery, romance, and social tension in a story where every decision carries dangerous consequences. The vivid setting of Prank feels alive with secrets, and the escalating conflict between developers, townsfolk, and unseen forces creates an atmosphere that is both thrilling and unsettling. A smart, layered, and compelling read for anyone who loves suspenseful dramas with depth and intensity.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews