Down Among the Dead Men

Daniel Faust #10

by Craig Schaefer

Daniel Faust’s last heist ended with a betrayal, a bullet in his heart, and a plunge from a lonely back-country bridge. Now he’s on life support, and the occult relic keeping him tethered to this world is counting down the last seconds to midnight.

That’s the good news. The bad news is, he just woke up in hell.

Marooned, lost, and hunted in an endless city of the damned, Daniel is racing against time. If he can’t make it back to his body before the clock runs out, he’ll be trapped in the netherworld forever. A host of enemies stand in his way. Some are desperate to silence him. Others, ghosts etched in blood and gun-smoke, are hungry for payback. Hell is the one place where you can never outrun your past.

And in the land of the living, Daniel’s family and crew gather to mount a desperate defense around his hospital bed as assassins close in from all sides. Survival will take a miracle, but this magician might have one last trick up his sleeve.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Paranormal, Demons, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery

226 pages, Paperback

First published July 22, 2022

About the author

Craig Schaefer's books have taken readers to the seamy edge of a criminal underworld drenched in shadow (the Daniel Faust series), to a world torn by war, poison and witchcraft (the Revanche Cycle), and across a modern America mired in occult mysteries and a conspiracy of lies (the Harmony Black series).

Despite this, people say he's strangely normal. Suspiciously normal, in fact. His home on the Web is www.craigschaeferbooks.com.

Reviews

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 5 out of 5]

➽ And the moral of this reread is: it doesn't matter how many times I reread this book, the ending will always leave me feeling a little bit like...



And also like:



And also, also like:



👋 Until next time and stuff.

P.S. I'd do just about anything just to have Spoiler Spoiler Spoiler (not the character's real name, in case you were wondering) join The Man's Dan's team. I might even consider not unleashing my murderous crustaceans on puny humans ever again. Yes, that's HOW BAD I want this to happen.

✉️ A very private message to the author: Heather, your Machiavellian heritage is showing 😬.

· Book 1: The Long Way Down ★★★★★
· Book 1.5: The White Gold Score ★★★★★
· Book 2: Redemption Song ★★★★★
· Book 3: The Living End ★★★★★
· Book 4: A Plain-Dealing Villain ★★★★★
· Book 5: The Killing Floor Blues ★★★★★
· Book 6.1: Sweet, Blissful Certainty ★★★
· Book 7: Double or Nothing ★★★★★
· Book 7.1: A Drive in the Country ★★★★
· Book 7.2: Sixty Six Seconds ★★★★
· Book 8: The Neon Boneyard ★★★★★
· Book 9: The Locust Job ★★★★★
· Book 11: Dig Two Graves ★★★★★



[April 2024]

Speed rereading because Dig Two Graves tomorrow and stuff.





[July 2022]

That ending. THAT ENDING.







That sums it up quite nicely, yes.

Oh, and by the way, this book features the greatest family reunion in the history of greatest family reunions. Everyone's here, slightly evil thrice cousins thrice removed included! Even the somewhat spoiler spoiler spoiler ones we hadn't seen in a while because spoiler spoiler spoiler and stuff! And that is slightly glorious, if you ask me.

And now what I want to know is, when the fish will the next installment be released?!



P.S. I've asked before but I'll ask again: Cait, will you marry me? Pretty please? We can share Danny and stuff 😬.
P.P.S. I want to work for one of Prince Sitri's TV channels when I grow up. Such interesting staff there 😍😍.



[July 19, 2022]

To be released this Friday July 22, 2022!!! Oh my shrimp oh my shrimp oh my shrimp!!!!!



P.S. That. Cover. 😍😍

[Fiona Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't afraid of my eternal fate. It didn't keep me up at night. I just wasn't rushing toward it with any sense of haste. I was whole and healthy in the land of the living, and thinking too much about the afterlife felt like a bad play, so I just... didn't. I treated death like I treated taxes: optional, and best avoided at all costs.
In hindsight, I probably should have prepared for this. Nothing stings like the pain of ignorance.

Given the massive cliffhanger at the end of book 9, consider this a warning that there will probably be series spoilers in this review, as much as I'll try to avoid them. But just for you, here's a mini-review - read this series. Read everything written by Heather Schaefer under the name Craig Schaefer (and to future-proof, if she writes anything under Heather, read that too). It's all fantastic.

When you look at the events of the Wisdom's Grave trilogy (which involved Daniel Faust, I'll hit the point eventually), it's hard to imagine where you go from there. But the two books in the Faust series that have come out since more than answer that question - there's always another side to consider, and plot to be mined from it.

Picking up directly after the end of the last book, Down Among the Dead Men was phenomenal. From the depths of Hell to the (currently) more terrestrial threats, Faust and his family of choice are in about the worst spot we've seen them in - watching how they pull together to try and get Daniel and themselves through another day made me wonder about myself, because I freaking love it. But I swear it's not the hardship, it's the way they have each others back to hell and beyond (literally) - there's a lot of different ways to love and they show them all. Also Hell was frigging amazing. I kind of hope we see more, but if the author catches us wanting more Hell she'll do that whole wishmaster thing and give us what we wished for.

The ending wasn't the heart-stopper of the last book (just as well because I couldn't do that again), but I am SO excited to see where the next book goes.

Oh, and because Caitlin and Daniel are the best fricking couple out there: She could bring the brute force. I'd bring the finesse. That was usually our vibe, anyway, the mode where we could play to our strengths and do the most damage.
Damn, it felt good to be back together again.
You said it!

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid installment in the series, probably my favorite lately. The story picks up where it left off with seamless finesse: fast-paced, tight, nicely-written and full of the Faust series vibe I’ve come to love.
No cliffhanger, but I really look forward to read what’s going to happen next.

Sincerely, a Channel Two fan.


I wasn’t afraid of my eternal fate. It didn’t keep me up at night. I just wasn’t rushing toward it with any sense of haste.

[Lukasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

Daniel Faust is my favorite ongoing Urban Fantasy series. Dead among the Dead Men confirms Schaefer is the master of layering plots on top of plots.

Dan should celebrate his 40th birthday in Vegas. Instead, he's in Hell, alone and on the run. Baron Navaarasi was always good at what she did, but when you realize what was her plan all along, damn, you'll be impressed. Dan is. At least when he's not trying to survive and help his loved ones protecting his body on Earth.

I loved the book and devoured it in one sitting. I have one tiny quibble, but I can't mention it here lest I spoil things. I need the next Harmony Black and next Faust books ASAP.

[Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great instalment of my absolute favourite UF series. This series has fun characters, interesting happenings, fun twists and turns, and a great mix of dark and light moments that make it an absolutely compelling read!

This was actually a great Faust book and definitely one of the best yet in the series. Daniel and his team are always fun characters but I think the cool setting, Hell, and the fact that Navarasi is such a good villain really helped this one reach new heights.

The story was compelling and fun. It was also fun to see a few cameo returns of characters we met earlier in the series and never expected to see again!

Rating: 5 stars.

Audio Note: Adam Verner did a great job as always even if the dude really struggles with his Scottish accent for Caitlin!

[Ashley Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even for as short as this was, it felt like there was SO MUCH story packed into these pages! SHEESH. Can't wait for Dig Two Graves, and I've got Never Send Roses in the meantime. Usually with longer series I get the vibe that the author doesn't necessarily have an ending in sight, but there's a distinct feeling (and maybe it's my wishful thinking and maybe it isn't) that Heather has this alllllll planned out. Either way, I'm excited to see what happens next!

I will say I appreciate the lack of the Kill Your Darlings trope. The Enemy showing up with Fleiss was SCARY. Excited to see what happens with Royce!

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG BEST ONE YET!!!!! This was 10000% worth the wait. I haven't read a book in almost one sitting in I don't know how long...this was impossible to put down. This was classic, old-school, beat-em-all-up Daniel and Cait, and I'm here for more. Also, I love where all these super-twisty plots have led! And where this one ended! 😱 So good.

So, this review is going to just be a fangirl squee, but I feel like anything I say otherwise will just be spoilers. If you haven't read this installment yet, this is your sign. DO IT. If you haven't read this series yet, what is wrong with you??? What kind of urban fantasy reader are you? Oh, not an UF reader? Read this series anyway. There is mystery, dirty Vegas heists, murder, mayhem, and damn good character writing.

I can't wait to read what happens next!

[Mihir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review over at Fantasy Book Critic

OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: Down Among The Dead Men is the long awaited start to the fourth arc in the Daniel Faust series. When we last met Faust in The Locust Job, he was busy pulling off the most dangerous job of his entire career. However the way the story ended, the climax left all fans wondering what would happen next. Finally, after two horridly long years, we have the next volume and I could not wait to jump in and see what the devious author has planned for the reader and Faust.

The story begins with Daniel waking up in a unique location that’s been only discussed so far and it is one Hell of a place. Marooned in a completely, alien-esque territory, Faust has to figure what’s what and who he can trust. Over in the land of the living, Jennifer and the rest of Daniel’s family have transported his comatose body to a hospital and have commandeered a fort Knox like situation. However, they don’t hold all the aces as they don’t quite know who caused this horrible scenario. Overall, this book has an incredible premise and the author delivers fittingly.

Heather Schaefer is an absolute beast when it comes to writing terrific thrillers laced with horror, dark fantasy and superb characters. This book is (again) no exception and one thing that I have to highlight is how amazingly dark, creepy and horrific her descriptions for Lucifer’s homeworld are. As a reader, it was so much fun to explore Hell through Daniel’s eyes as the character doesn’t really get to have any fun. Hell has been sparsely described in the previous nine volumes and here we get to see quite a fair bit. Beginning from a sprawling Megapolis that has been cannibalized by gangs lead by the worst of humanity. There are famous people who make cameos that might bring a chuckle or a sjake of the head depending on your historical insights. The highlight was the number of TV channels to be found in hell and what is broadcast on them. Lastly, quite a few of Faust’s enemies make a reappearance and it was a thrill to read about them locking horns with Faust again.

The plot features dual timelines and I loved how streamlined they both were. The pace is off the charts and sometimes I wish the author had slowed it down to highlight more of the world and hospital standoff scenario. That is how fantastic it was and yet as a reader, I wanted more. It is a distinct quality of Heather’s writing that as a reader, each time we are given a higher zenith to expect for the future books. It is no different here. After the brilliance showcased within DATDM, I can hardly wait for Never Send Roses (the next Harmony Black book) as well as the next Faust title.

Another aspect of this book that is thrilling for the readers is that it focusses on one of my favourite side characters Baron Navaarasi. She has been a fascinating antagonist/potential frenemy for Faust and in this volume, we get a terrifying inkling of one aspect of her plans. The magnificent cover is another hint about it. However she’s most absent from the pages but her terror and ruthlessness is spread all over the story. She and the Enemy are turning out to the major antagonists for this arc and I cannot wait to see the true extent of Navaarasi’s grand plan(s). I have to highlight the Enemy-Paladin ongoing storyline gets another small teaser within this and that looks to be the major event looming ahead.

The cover as always is a banger! James T. Egan has absolutely understood the core concept of this series and every cover of his is one more step in the upward ascent similar to the books. The action found within the story is a bit more horrific than usual and considering this is Hell after all. Some fans need to prepare themselves mentally about the Mad Max-like style of cretins to be found within.

Lastly, for any drawbacks, they are so miniscule that I feel foolish even to point them out. Primarily (as I mentioned before), I wanted this book to be longer because the worldbuilding was so enthralling. The end sequence is such a nail-biting one and a particular thing happens whose resolution we do not get to witness. As a reader, I felt robbed and I sincerely with it was cleared up but then again it makes sense from the way it is presented (a POV character being unconscious and quickly taken far away). These are very small nitpicks from a fan of the series as again we have been spoiled from the author’s magnificent storytelling prowess.

CONCLUSION: Down Among The Dead Men is a fascinating thriller that mashes together various fascinating aspects of Mad Max, Under Siege, & Behind Enemy Lines. It does these things successfully and once again highlights how amazing a writer Heather is and how incredible the Daniel Faust series is. As a reader and a fan, this title bowled me over and once again, I’m left waiting desperately for the next amazing thing that the author plans to release.

[Efka · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole series should have ended here, maybe even in only nine books. It gets more and more stretched, and every plot twist and knot seems more and more like a filler, than a solution. Now, at the current storyline point, I can easily forsee at least two, more likely 3-4 books more just to wrap up everything written up to this point. And the troubel is I'm not sure it would be good for the series. I feel a distinct loss of steam in this boiler. Oh, and I did not like hell. It is either dumb or pretentious.

It still is not a "meh" level book, but I've expected more.

[Lisa Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

So anyone else remember that scene in Stand By Me when Gordy tells his epic campfire story & the boys just exploded with the justified, horrified & raucous appreciation only an adolescent boy can express? THAT …that is my reaction to this 10th installment in the Daniel Faust series!
To anyone who will listen, I’ve compared this series about a con-man, gangster anti-hero Vegas magician (yeah, all that!) to Richard Kadrey’s Sandman Slim series & in this latest (last? Or latest? I’ll never tell) installment Schaefer goes full Kadrey with his incredible, crumbling alternate land of the living version of hell! Conceptually a mish mash of ‘forgotten’ places & things (think that old car no one finds in a barn all done up Mad Max style, or that corner store you grew up walking to that was torn down to become an insurance office having a new life as a criminal hideout wallpapered with skin!!) mingled with a street-like hierarchy of souls.
The politics of the underworld are on full display here, too! Faust & his ‘family of choice’ are pitted against a powerful nemesis & have to rely on new friends & even a unique ally to survive!
Full of twists & turns & Schaefer’s signature noir style, it is clear this adventure was a labor of love! For anyone who is a fan of the occult / modern world juxtaposition or even who enjoys a good anachronism, this series is just what the doctor ordered!

[Dayanara Ryelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet four-armed Goddess, she's done it again! 💙😍

I don't remember if I've ever cursed at the end of a book and meant it positively, but I do this time! (I can't recall the exact string, but I believe it ended with "...chicken tender, damn!" 😂)

Usually, when I say, "I can't imagine reading this again", I mean, "it was good enough to finish, but that's about it." This time, I mean, "I'm not sure if I can read it again with all the magic gone!" It would be like watching Miss Universe already knowing your country didn't make the top ten, y'know?

Oh, and I absolutely hate gifs (I use them as little as possible, or only on sites where they won't autoplay), but this deserves one:

[Meenu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is singularly the best news I've heard all month!

Review to follow once the book gets released and I get my hands on a copy

Late review: Look I was full on expecting a location change - and this delivered,the fact that Daniel is presumed **** and his fam bam is out there trying to do their best.

I wish there was more action towards the hospital - but oh my god the p-

I genuinely had to reread the page, cackled out loud at that.

and Oh my god that ending

[Bory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do I really need to say I like the book? I read it in one sitting, on the day it came out. Down among the Dead Men is book 10 in a series, so obviously I'm invested in these characters and this story, seeing as I've stuck around for this long. I've read everything in Schaefer's shared universe - Daniel Faust, Harmony Black, Wisdom's Grave, The Revanche cycle - and I'll keep reading because Schaefer is a master of her craft, and has sucked me in good and proper at this point.

Down Among the Dead Men is great. Schaefer's idea of hell is as unique and interesting as her idea of heaven. There are some gruesome imagery described on page, and some intense moments (that duel with the Chef immediately comes to mind), all of which makes for a very entertaining, engaging read.

The reminder that this is very much a shared universe was much appreciated (trying to avoid spoilers), with my favorite character from this universe making a woefully short appearance, though it left me a tad confused regarding the timeline. Are the events in Down Among the Dead Men happening before or after those of Black Tie Required? It has to be after, right?

While I do really like this book, I do have a couple of gripes. First and foremost, there is an overarching story across all of these series - The First Story - and that plot line felt like it was coming to a head in the last couple of Faust books. If there is one big problem with Down Among the Dead Men it's that it did very little to progress that particular aspect the plot... as far as I can tell; there are many complicated plot threads being weaved here. I like a good mystery as much as the next person, but I want to know, damn it, and not being any closer to having the answers is giving me metaphorical blue balls.

There are many strolls down memory lane here, which is both a high and a low point. This is, after all, book 10, and it has been a couple of years since The Locust Job came out. I don't have the time to re-read 9 books right now, especially with so little notice. While Schaefer does a good job of reminding the reader of past plots, I still had to do some intense rummaging through the ol' memory vaults, trying to recollect details of events and characters.

Also, the ending felt kind of abrupt. I get that it's a setup for upcoming installments, but still.

Overall, I look forward to whatever Schaefer writes next. Never Send Roses can't come out soon enough.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't tell you how excited I was to see this book in the kindle store yesterday. Wow, it's been forever since we've had an update in Daniel's crazy world.

If you've not heard of this series and you like an urban fantasy featuring Vegas magic and real magic and gangsters and shapeshifters and demons and other dimensions and ghosts and a crazy story of good versus evil that spans time and space...this whole thing is a trip into madness, but it's so fun and I'm thrilled that even though it's been a while since I read the last book, it all came rushing back to me as soon as I started reading this. I was not disappointed. It's lovely. And, I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment, whether it's a Daniel or a Harmony book. ❤❤❤

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years in the making and well worth the wait

As always Heather Schaefer delivers a tale of twists and turns and pitfalls leaving you hanging on every chapter trying to see the big picture for the puzzle and not seeing what's hidden

[Thomas Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book!

Loved this book, hell being fleshed out was amazing and the latest twists and turns were incredibly enjoyable , can't wait for the next book

[Donraj · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad to finally have the next book. Really enjoyed it, looking forward to finding out what Harmony and Jessie have been up to.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been shot in the last book, and his body hanging onto life, Faust's soul is now in Hell. The entire book is between that and his "family" waiting around his bidy on Earth.
Naavarasi got Faust good this time. But he's just part in a master plot she has in motion. Plenty of action, and fun galore.
Now that I'm caught up, this is the first time I've had to wait for the next Faust book. In the meantime, l'll try the same author's Harmony Black series.

[Kristoffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Scott Lynch has taught me anything, its that life is always there to get in the way of your writing.
Despite a whole litany of personal things going on... this is a solid, well written, fleshed out addition to the Daniel Faust story.

Well done Schaefer, you're only getting better with age.

[The Reading Ruru (Kerry) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 10th Daniel Faust book but I am still loving the worlds, the plots and the eclectic and irreverent group of characters that make up this series.
It is said Magic is all about misdirection and even Faust didn't see this trick coming; he has been out played, betrayed, and sent to Hell but he's doing his best to survive because he's got a time limit if he's to return to his physical body here on earth.

Another form of misdirection has been the long game played by Baron Navaarasi, slow and quiet plots within plots (a bit like a Matryoshka doll) that it's only now others are seeing her plans fall into place - I'm looking forward to seeing where that goes.

I have to give extra kudos to Schaefer for their version of Hell, I love it - I'm unsure if it's a parody of our world or is our world a parody of Hell - having Che Guevara and Hunter S Thompson as "gossip presenters" for a Hell cable TV channel =genius

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. Not sure how I felt about the assortment of characters he brought to life in hell, and I don't mean like spiritually speaking, I don't have an opinion on who should go to hell, I'm just pretty sure Hunter S. Thompson would be dropping a whole lot more "pig-fuckers" in his chosen vernacular and not quoting himself, like, ever.

Anyway, the big arc seems to be coming to a close and we will find out if Faust's earth survives in the next book, maybe?

Oh also Harmony Black finally made another appearance, but again it just further suggests that both series will be crossing over in the future to fight against The Enemy.

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Yet another home run by author Craig Schaefer in his Daniel Faust series, really everyone of his books I’ve read have been most excellent & I think I’ve read them all so far. Can’t wait for his next one to come out.

[Hans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this was fun. Which is something I of course totally expected. Down Among the Dead Men deals with the fallout of the Locust Job and the massive cliffhanger we were left with two years ago. Daniel Faust is in hell, or to be more precise, his soul is in hell while his body is clinging on to life in a hospital after being shot by Daniel's own brother. Of course, his demonic girlfriend Caitlin is on the way to get him back but things turn out to be even more complicated than initially expected.

And thus, while Caitlin is desperately trying to find Daniel, uncovering a plot against her master in the process, Daniel is stuck somewhere in hell and trying to find his way to "friendly" territory. Schaefer's version of hell reminded me quite a bit of the Sandman Slim novels by Richard Kadrey: a perverted, anarchic mirror image of our own world with the better parts inhabited by the demonic elite, while a wasteland of broken down buildings and city blocks is infested with gangs of mad raiders. It's a bit like a Mad Max movie, but in hell. Along the way, Daniel meets some old acquaintances, not all of them friendly of course.

Meanwhile, his friends try to protect his body from further assassination attempts and once again, there are some more or less unexpected guests to help. I don't want to spoil too much of the story, just let me say that this is an incredibly fun romp through the underworld that was well worth the wait and promises great things for the next novels in the series.

[Michael Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a story - possibly his best yet - all series included.

I’m a sucker for a strong getting-the-team together tale, and this is one of the best I’ve read in years. It was so chock full of adventure and near constant crises that for a bit I was worried that he was wrapping things up, that we’d never have another new Daniel Faust story. I needn’t have worried.

My only concern is how he’s going to top this one.

[BRADLEY JAY MOCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the hell he expected, huh

I await each new Daniel Faust book just to see where the adventure will take us and this story will go next, Down Among the Dead Men book X does not disappoint. Be sure you are up to date on all the past happenings and characters as one never knows just who.might drop.by for some mayhem or deceit. Of course most of our despicable baddies are here too. Hopefully #11 is well underway as there is far more to tell before the final bell.

[Mel Horne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast paced adventure, but there seems to be a hole in it. Part of the plot just stops with no explanation , very strange. It is like a chapter was missed out.
The more I think about the odder it is, one of the main story lines just ends without any further explanation ? I suppose there is another book that will pick it up, but very unsatisfactory to end a story before the book ends . It almost makes me want to drop a star to two .

[Calyx · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting for this for ages. Schaefer is one of those authors whose character, Faust, has become part of my inner landscape. This was a satisfying rapid read (I’m fast) and I look forward to rereading it more slowly after rereading the previous nine.

That said, my feeling at the end was AAAAGGHGHHH. Heartened by S’s statement that the next one won’t be long delayed.

[John E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel down under

Like most series this long, it takes a bit of remembering to place all the characters after a long release gap. Daniel and friends newest complication has a lot of twist and turns while everyone has their own quirks and strengths. This is a welcome addition to the ongoing conflict.

[Laura Koerber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts of this book are riveting. I loved the parts where Faust travels through Hell, learning about the local culture. However, the rest of the book is talk, talk, talk, talk, reminiscent of the kind of murder mystery where the bulk of the story consists of the characters speculating while nothing actually happens. I find that sort of thing tiresome so I quit reading.

[R Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book in series

I thought the last book in the series was very weak. However, the author has really come back with this new book. He does not quite approach the first few excellent books of the series, but it is a great comeback and I am looking forward to the next volume.