Olyott draws heavily on E.J. Young's Commentary on Daniel, and is also informed by the inimitable Robert Dick Wilson and his Studies in the Book of Daniel - just to give an idea of Stuart Olyott's orientations. Perhaps highest among Dare To Stand Alone's merits is its brevity (168 pages) while giving concise and profound exposition, a most satisfying experience. His approach is from the Reformed view, extremely important when dealing with the prophetic / apocalyptic sections (unpacked with great skill and insight), and the key passage in Daniel 9:24-27. A highly recommended top-notch commentary.
Dale Ralph Davis has a fairly new commentary on Daniel in the Bible Speaks Today series. I haven't read it, but I've read plenty of his other commentaries and anything Ralph Davis writes is hard to beat. His books are meaty, yet very accessible.
For a "layman level" class, Mark, I don't think you can do better than Olyott as suggested above, as his brevity doesn't sacrifice depth and precision. Young is Excellent, but for more advanced study.