The Long Way Down - Craig Schaefer - A Short Summary and Review

The Long Way Down - Craig Schaefer - A Short Summary and Review

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

Book cover of The Long Way Down by Craig Schaefer displayed against a moody Las Vegas backdrop.

A short summary:

The Long Way Down is a fast-moving, supernatural noir that drops a Faustian bargain straight into the neon glare of Las Vegas. Demons, desperation, and dangerous deals collide as the story explores what happens when ambition outweighs caution, and when the price of success is far higher than expected.

Blending occult horror with crime-thriller energy, the novel leans into excess, temptation, and the seductive promise of power. Vegas isn’t just a setting here; it’s a mirror, reflecting how easily people gamble with their souls when the odds almost look good.

My favorite quote from the book:

"Everyone is the hero of his own story."
- Craig Schaefer, The Long Way Down

Quote by Craig Schaefer over a nighttime Las Vegas cityscape with glowing lights.

Questions to ponder while reading:

Can a wrong ever make a right?

Have you ever gotten involved with the wrong person?

My review:

This was pure, thrilling supernatural fun.

The Long Way Down feels like exactly the kind of book you reach for when the mental cobwebs need shaking loose. It’s quick, dark, stylish, and unapologetically over-the-top in the best way. The pacing keeps things moving, the premise stays sharp, and the story never pretends to be anything other than what it is: a wild ride.

Occasionally, you really do need to read something out there. Something that trades quiet contemplation for momentum, sparks, and danger. This book delivers that jolt, reminding you that not every story needs to be solemn to be satisfying.

Sometimes, you just want demons and dice. And that’s perfectly fine.

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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

✨ #TakeTheBackRoads

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