Bred in the Bone; Or, Like Father, Like Son: A Novel

In a lively mid‑19th‑century Midlands, the legend of Carew of Crompton looms over every village lane and tavern. Known for his reckless horsemanship, flamboyant punishments, and a reputation that rivals folk heroes, he turns ordinary days into spectacles—whether racing a black horse named Trebizond over startled cart‑drivers or doling out dramatic “keel‑hauls” to wayward locals. The novel paints this larger‑than‑life squire with a mix of humor and sharp social observation, inviting listeners to wonder whether his daring antics stem from genius, madness, or sheer privilege.

As the story unfolds, Carew’s extravagant lifestyle and his complex relationship with family and community become the heart of the narrative. His son, expected to inherit both fortune and folly, grapples with the weight of a name that commands both awe and resentment. Listeners are drawn into a world where tradition clashes with eccentricity, and where the line between hero and rogue is constantly redrawn.