Ryan DeMarco's story just keeps getting better and better. Every chapter would make you feel the eerieness of the story.

The thing I like the most about it is how the author not only focused on the mystery. We also dived deeper into Ryan's relationships that made readers like me attached to these characters. Moreover, it doesn't overshadow the overall mystery, but the added layer of emotional rollercoaster blended just fine.

The mystery kept me on the edge of my seat. I cannot tell where the story was going, and every revelation kept me wanting to read more. Plus, that ending is just mind-blowing.

I liked the mystery and the investigative scenes in this one. I didn't really like all the focus on the relationship between Ryan and Jayme. This seemed to take over the story a little too much. This is a good series though and I look forward to the next installment.

I really like this author's books. I recommend this book as well as all the author's other books. I look forward to more books by Randall Silvis.

Police procedural has Ryan DeMarco in the lead. A series of murders in his hometown resemble the work of a serial killer who killed people in a similar style a long time ago. Is he back, or is it someone trying to imitate him? DeMarco and his partner Jayme are hired to dig more on these murders. The book also has a parallel that gives us a glimpse of DeMarco's personal life making it all the more intimate. This is my second book by the author with the same lead and I have enjoyed this one as much as I did earlier. The book kept me engaged and had me curious all the way. Though I did have my speculations, I still did not see the ending coming!
Overall, an entertaining thriller that lovers of this genre are sure to enjoy.
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Ryan de Marco is trying to get his head clear to look into any future he has. A estranged wife, a dead son is his history and he finds it hard to shake off the memories of a difficult marriage. Jayme his partner has his dark memories to contend with in trying to forge a future together.

Faced with a triple murder by someone who seems to enjoy torturing and decapitating his victims and then another victim totally different to the others is the dilemma faced by the detectives trying to solve this crime.
Bringing in Jayme and de Marco was not a popular choice as outsiders to try this old crime but they set to, to try to find one common factor linking these diverse victims. When they do, they uncover a ring of academics, drugs and sex orgies combined with a wild philosophy which drives someone to murder.

The characters are very well developed and the pace is intense. Looking forward to my next read from this author.

I discovered Randall Silvis fairly recently and have read three of his books in a short time. He has a unique way of writing crime fiction, so I didn’t hesitate a second to read his new novel, A Long Way Down.

This is the third book in the DeMarco series, and it might be good to first read the previous two, Two Days Gone and Walking The Bones, especially as there are several references to both of them at the beginning. Plus, you can better understand the dynamic between the characters, which is an essential element in Silvis’s books—maybe even more in this one than in the others.

Ryan DeMarco goes back to his native Pennsylvania to visit his wife who has just tried to commit suicide. Once there, he bumps into a sheriff friend of his who asks for Ryan and his new girlfriend Jayme’s help in a series of murders that seem to be connected to murders that happened when DeMarco was in high school.

The book comprises three parts, each introduced by a short passage from books by DeMarco’s friend Tom, the author killed in the first book in the series. Then, it features a passage of a diary in italics, signed Erebus. You quickly realize the author of these passages is a very sick person, which cannot bode well for our duo of investigators.

The book is long (464 pages) and slow at the plot level. Lovers of crime fiction are well-rewarded however, as the novel definitely has its share of gruesome, dark, heavy, suspenseful, and action-packed passages. And unexpected twists! But Randall Silvis offers so much more.

DeMarco suffers from PTSD and tries to reconstruct his life after much personal and family drama. Jayme has experienced her own challenges, but together, they strive to turn the page and start anew. Having to go back to where DeMarco grew up doesn’t make it easy. And who knows what type of danger they are going to have to face together? All along, you constantly feel they have a Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.

The author uses strong and lyrical imagery to describe the characters, their relationships, and their psyche but also cities, the landscape, and even the weather.
And there are nice passages on writing as well, as Tom’s wife asks DeMarco to go over notes by her deceased husband to possibly prepare a new book. This added a nice, positive dimension, like the gestation of something new to come—one that may see the light in the next book in the series.

How can a life companion help you face your past and rebuild yourself? Randall Silvis offers some powerful insight while his characters experience life at its most dangerous in the most gruesome of cases.

Crime fiction and borderline metaphysical. Try Randall Silvis now!

Title: A Long Way Down
Author: Randall Silvis
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5

Ryan DeMarco didn’t want to come home. But when his estranged wife tries to commit suicide, he’s the one they call. So he finds himself back where he grew up, a place he’s been trying to forget ever since he left. And an old classmate is now sheriff and needs help solving a murder case that might have ties to their high school days.

Ryan and Jayme, his new girlfriend, agree to help with the case, but neither of them has any idea where the case will lead. With the past haunting Ryan’s every step, and the future haunting Jayme’s, neither of them will survive the case unscathed.

It’s not necessary to have read the first two books in the Ryan DeMarco Mystery series to enjoy this book. I had read the first one, but not the second, and I had no problems keeping up. This is a solid read, and I didn’t figure out who the killer was ahead of time, but the characters and their problems are the real focus here, not the mystery.

Randall Silvis is an award-winning author. A Long Way Down is his newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Randall Silvis has a unique style of writing that definitely adds to the enjoyment of reading his books. I loved his first book immensely, haven't read the second one yet and thought this one was decent. Though A Long Way Down didn't pull me in quite the same way as his first book- that's not to say it wasn't entertaining. There were definitely dark, suspenseful and plot twisting moments. Though it seemed this book moved a bit slower and focused very heavily on the relationship between Ryan and Jayme which is not terrible it just seemed like there could be a little less focus on that. Overall a good read and I would recommend it to others. Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The mystery immediately drew me in and kept my interest throughout the book. The characters were realistic and well written. There was a nice snark to some characters. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

My feeling on this book might be the result of not having read the previous books.
I think the parts of dealing with Thomas's writing seem to be taking away of the story and fell like a distraction.
I liked the various characters and enjoyed the story. The ending was not exactly a cliff hanger but left some things unsolved.

A Long Way Down by Randall Silvis is the third book in the Ryan DeMarco mystery series. Even though I haven't read the previous novels, I didn’t hesitate a second to read this novel as I thought it had a great premise

It might have been better to have read the previous two, Two Days Gone and Walking The Bones, especially as there were references to both of them at the start and I think I was missing some of the dynamics between the characters.

Ryan DeMarco goes back to his native Pennsylvania to visit his wife who has just tried to commit suicide. Once there, he bumps into a sheriff friend of his who asks for Ryan and his new girlfriend Jayme’s help in a series of murders that seem to be connected to murders that happened when DeMarco was in high school.

The book was long and fairly slow at the plot level but it definitely had its fair share of dark, suspenseful, and action-packed moments. I loved the author's unique way of writing and the strong imagery to describe the characters and their relationships as well as the setting and the landscape,

Very highly recommended. Rating: 4 Stars.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Sourcebooks via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I loved the first book! I didn't read the second but I did read this one and I felt like I didn't miss a thing. You don't really have to read them all together. The author is good at writing. The plot was fast-paced and it read so good! I felt like I was alongside Ryan the entire time he was investigating this crime. It was engaging and kept me interested from the beginning up until the very end. I really hope he writes a 4th book. This was definitely a lot better than the first back. Now I have to go backwards and read the second book. Great job Randall Silvis!

Ryan DeMarco and Jayme Matson have quit the Pennsylvania State Police and become Private Investigators.
When Ryan's estranged wife Laraine attempts suicide, he travels to her side. She has never gotten over their young son's death.
At the hospital, he meets his old high school friend Ben Brinker, who is a County sheriff in their hometown of Youngstown.
Ben asks him to help investigate a triple homicide that may be tied to a cold case from their high school days. The victims have been decapitated and dismembered.
Ryan is reluctant to go home again. His childhood memories are filled with his abusive father, who was murdered one evening outside his favorite bar. His killer was never found.
As Ryan and Jayme explore the evidence, their relationship deepens. Jayme is thinking about having a baby, hoping Ryan may be ready for that.
A beautifully composed , poignant story.
Another exceptional slow burn mystery in the series.
The somewhat open ending leaves me excited for book four!
This can be read as a stand alone, but better to read in order of the series, to capture the depth of the characters.
Thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Dark, Complicated, and Weighty

A Long Way Down is a slow burn, character-driven mystery about a serial killer who is decapitating and dismembering their victims. The case links back to the unsolved Cleveland Torso murders from over 80 years ago. With little evidence, the local police bring in former Sergeant Ryan DeMarco and his partner, former Trooper Jayme Matson.

This series is one of the darkest and saddest that I read. However, the tone of this book is much lighter than the previous installments--well it is until the ending comes along. DeMarco describes Western Pennsylvania as being covered in an ashy grayness--this is how I would describe the tone of the series. There are some bright moments, but ultimately the ash takes over.

The mystery is multilayered and intriguing--I didn’t see one major twist coming. Similar to the mystery, Jayme and DeMarco’s relationship has many layers. While it seems as if things are finally moving forward, the events of this book might have thrown them off course. Both of their characters are multidimensional and deal with real issues--they are easy to care about. The narrative shifts between DeMarco, Jayme, and the killer.

This book (and series) is more about the characters than the mystery. DeMarco and Jayme’s character both show growth. The mystery moves slowly but leads to a heart-pounding, surprising ending.

I love this series, but I always feel a little trepidation before I begin reading because I know I am going to enter into a book permeated with sadness. DeMarco’s raw grief makes this a little uncomfortable to read, and at times I find it to be a little suffocating. Jayme’s character adds the lightness and warmth that both DeMarco and this series desperately need. It can be emotionally taxing to read this series, but the complex, likable characters and Silvis’ writing make it worthwhile.

I received an ARC of this book from Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ryan DeMarco really doesn't want to go home again but he feels compelled to do so when his estranged wife Laraine attempts suicide. They were childhood friends but circumstances- and a tragedy- drove them apart. While he's there, his friend Ben, now the Sheriff, entices him with a murder case that bears remarkable similarity to two others- one thirty years old and one much much older. While it's interesting to get Ryan's back story, my favorite parts of these novels involve Jayme- a whip smart woman who is Ryan's partner in life and in investigation. Ryan is a really tortured man but he's a heck of a good detective. They set to work and, no spoilers......Don't worry if you didn't read the first two books, this is fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

The first book I've read in this series and I found it quite good
A bit haunted and haunting in its approach
The personal relationship between Jayme & Ryan is sadly beautiful

Acclaimed bestselling author, Randall Silvis returns following Walking the Bones (2018) with his award-winning Ryan DeMarco mystery series in this third installment of the complex but compassionate character (and one you sympathize with) —A LONG WAY DOWN.

Silvis once again demonstrates he is a “master” of his craft combining both intelligent literary and mystery suspense in a powerful series, leaving readers anxiously awaiting the next.

From the last novel, we catch up with former sergeant of the Pennsylvania State Police, Ryan DeMarco (now, age fifty). He has spent time in the mountains of Kentucky alone struggling with his dreams and the grief of his son as well as taking time away from the job due to the intensity of the last case.

The new woman in his life, Trooper Jayme Matson (love her) has taken time away from her position to accompany and travel with DeMarco in their RV to figure out their relationship, allow Ryan to heal, and the next step.

However, Ryan gets called back to his hometown of Youngstown, PA to deal with his estranged wife, Laraine who has attempted suicide and currently under watch in the hospital. She has been coping with her grief over the loss of their son in destructive ways. Ryan, being the compassionate person, he is—flies back to be by her side with the support of Jayme.

This tragedy haunts DeMarco since his mother had done the same thing a quarter century earlier. Other than his mother, Laraine was the first woman he had ever loved. They met as children in a trailer park. He wondered about love. It could take many forms. It could be freeing or imprisoning.

From the love of his mother, his estranged wife, his baby son, Ryan, Jr, and now his love for Jayme. He felt tied to each of them. He had not been with his mom on her final night. Much of the heaviness had lifted since the dreams in the Kentucky mountains. He sees his son as a twelve-year-old in his dreams.

DeMaro had not been great at relationships, but things were good with Jayme, despite some of his bad decisions. However, women remained a mystery to him.

“He understood the criminal mind well, and had a knack for predicting its simple turns and convolutions. But the mind of a woman in love—no law of physics could account for the complexities of such a mind.”

However, without a woman in his life, he had no balance, no center.

The periods between these three women remained dark in his memory. There was anger, resentment, and the times he was closed off, allowing no one in when he went to the dark places.

While he is in his hometown, (a place he has stayed away from due to the many demons from his troubled past) – his old friend and football buddy from high school, Ben Brinker is now the county Sherriff and needs his help with a case.

There were two cold cases, one thirty years old and one eighty, both tied somehow to the new case. There were lots of similarities. He calls Jayme, and they both decide to pack up the RV and immerse themselves in this case.

Ryan was not so sure he wanted to plunge back into violence, murder, and serial killers, especially in his hometown, bringing up too many painful memories. Jayme encourages him, and she wants to see where Ryan came from to learn more about his past.

She also is talking about having a baby with Ryan, but she is walking on eggshells with that subject due to Ryan still grieving over his lost son.

With some interesting, colorful secondary characters, and local authorities, there is a lot of fun and humor with cat-and-mouse between Jayme, Ryan, and the locals. From the differences in sociopath and psychopath, (quite impressive) they all use their own tactics to delve the mind of this serial killer. The killer lies in wait for the right moment, strikes, and dismembers the body. Is there a copycat or is it the same killer from years ago. Why now?

Jayme is witty, intelligent, and she adores Ryan. She takes no crap from anyone and puts Ryan in his place when needed as well as everyone around her. She is the perfect partner for Ryan. She was instrumental in the Kentucky case, and Ryan is proud of her.

He is willing to remain in the background. They both will be working as independent private investigators attached to the office as consultants. Of course, some of the local egos must remain in check, and the jealousies continue to arise.

As they spend nights pouring through all the old files, they are some baffling differences, regarding why the killer treated the girl differently. In between working on the case, Ryan starts slowly opening up a little about his troubled past – his mother and father. Jayme still must keep her own desires to herself about a baby and patiently wait for the right time.

“Grief is like gravity; it grounds us in reality, but too much of it can crush a person flat.”

They also become friends with Ben and his wife, Vee (which I loved). Also, Ryan receives boxes of notebooks of Tom’s books (author from previous books) from his mother-in-law Rosemary. She wants him to sift through and put together a book.

However, as the days go on trying to solve this murder, Ryan and Jayme pull out these handwritten notes, the powerful words speak to them on different levels.

The lyrical, poetic prose is breathtaking as the words come at the exact moment to help guide, comfort, and soothe their weary souls.

Ryan’s emotions are all over the board, from being back in his hometown and haunted by his estranged wife, his mother’s suicide, his baby son’s death, the loss of Tom his devoted friend, his PTSD, his insomnia, the mood swings, his guilt, his relationship with Jayme, and he is overwhelmed with the violence of these cases.

Often Jayme senses he is pulled back into the lurking darkness. Can she help him out of this downward spiral?

The case takes a turn which puts Ryan and Jayme in danger the suspense builds, as they hang on to their lives by a thread.

As a boy, Ryan found solace in the woods. The angry, frightened, and troubled little boy. As an adult, he feels the same. He despises the ugliness and hatred in the world and why people are so cruel to each other. He wanted to escape. However, through Jayme and his friend’s comforting words, he begins to see life on a deeper level and a more meaningful enriched life.

Words cannot adequately describe this novel and Silvis’s beautiful writing. In A LONG WAY DOWN, he infuses lush, poetic, and evocative descriptions of Thomas Huston, (Tom) literature professor, and bestselling author character we met in previous books (friend of Ryan).

As a reader, these were awe-inspiring moments, as Ryan (in particular) and Jayme, both starving for these perfect words of wisdom for guidance. The quotes came at the exact moment in their complicated lives when they needed them the most, to make sense of their current situation.

There are many quotes I wanted to include here. I enjoyed the piece about nature and life. I bookmarked many pages and quotes. However, my review will be even longer (than it is already).😘 I have included some of those in my upcoming interview with the author. You almost forget you are reading a crime murder mystery, due to being caught up in the lyrical prose. (a good thing).

This is a rare skill, when writing crime or suspense with tension, to allow the reader to unravel the character’s emotions and their thoughts at the precise moment. I think this goes back to the author’s skillful craft of combining literary and suspense.

This is where Silvis shines. It is not so much about the action taking place, or what is coming next, it is the moment you stop and hear, smell, sense what the character is experiencing. To really enjoy literary fiction, you must fall in love with the words and the characters.

Yes, there is plenty of action, and suspense to drive this thriller; however, Silvis has a unique way of reaching down into the soul of his haunted characters who are compassionate and flawed, seeking redemption, and wants to see the good in this world in spite of the darkness. Isn’t this real life and what we all want?

There is darkness, suspense, action, misery, death, violence. Despair and sorrow. But there is good, beauty, joy, hope, compassion, and light.

As referenced in the novel, when DeMarco recalls a conversation with Thomas Huston, to suggest to him that investigating a crime was a lot like writing a novel. Huston had explained that Chandler chose not to write typical mysteries, those in which the only thing that matters is the resolution, the solution to the mystery, but instead to write mysteries in which every scene matters because every scene adds another layer to the main character.

Not about what happens to the world as the plot unfolds, but what happens inside the character and the reader. Chandler’s goal, said Huston, was to “to exceed the limits of a formula without destroying it.”

Silvis manages and executes, flawlessly. Thought-provoking!

Why are people drawn to shows like This is Us and The Village? Because, it is raw, real, and flawed people dealing with the ugliness of life, yet it is uplifting and inspiring. A perfect balance. It is relatable. In our current world of unrest, we all are seeking a higher and spiritual meaning.

I loved the up close and personal relationship between Jayme and Ryan, and I am looking forward to the next in this series. I have a feeling we will see more of Jayme, Ryan, Laraine (fingers crossed). A series not to be missed!

Please join me on June 4 for an extensive interview with the award-winning author, poet, playwright, screenwriter, and prolific essayist. For readers/writers and exclusive behind the scene look at his characters and his writing, plus learn what is coming next! Do not miss this edition. I am truly honored to speak with one of my favorite authors and one of my most fascinating interviews this year.

Also, I am hosting a Book Giveaway May 20-June 3, 2019. Enter here for a chance to win (1 of 5) Paperback ARCs US only. Winner announced June 4.

A special thank you to Poisoned Pen Press (Michael), Sourcebooks, and Netgalley for an early reading copy.

Read my reviews:
Two Days Gone #1 Top Books of 2017
Walking the Bones #2 Top Books of 2018
A Long Way Down #3 Top Books of 2019

#JDCMustReadBooks

A very good, engaging and entertaining mystery.
I liked how the plot was developed, the well written cast of characters and the style of writing.
The mystery was good, non plot hole, full of twists and turns and it kept me guessing till the end.
An interesting reading experience and a very good series.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

This one is not what I expected. It was so much better. I think it's the best of the series so far. DeMarco and Jayme have a lot going on in this one. The main mystery is intriguing and interesting. It's full of twists with an end I didn't see coming. The personal plotline between the two main characters is an emotional rollercoaster. I don't think we have seen the last of Laraine, unfortunately. The new characters in this one are great and I hope we see more of them. There is a bit of an open ended resolution to the story that makes me want the next book now. I can't wait for more of this series. Highly recommend!

I have really enjoyed the Ryan DeMarco series, and this was a perfect addition to it. I love getting more of his story and background. Getting to see his childhood and family gave his character a lot more depth.
This book was well written, intriguing, and kept me interested from the first page to the very last. I would recommend it to anyone who read the previous books in this series.


*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of the book mentioned above in the hope that I would review it on my blog. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*