The Long Way Around begins in a fictional small, rural Oklahoma town, based upon the author's hometown of Calvin, Oklahoma in the fall of 1941. Similar to the author's own life, the protagonist, fourteen-year-old Jimmy Mueller's life is changed forever on Halloween of 1941 when his father and stepmother are among the five victims of a car that was swept away into "The River" when a bridge washed out. From there, the book weaves a story of a young teenage boy coming of age who experiences the advantages and disadvantages of small town living with people who face their own conflicts and victories. Characters in the story are reminiscent to wholly inspired by people in the author's life. Jimmy must deal with the mystery surrounding accusations of embezzlement against his father. He takes a daring part in solving the crime leading to justice being rendered a la small town, USA.

The story transitions as Jimmy moves to Texas to live with other family members and seek broader educational and life experiences until he ends up enlisting in the army in World War II and being shipped to Germany. From being captured as a POW to being liberated and involved in post-war reconstruction efforts, Jim faces many life lessons and experiences love and loss again as he slowly makes his way into adulthood and the appreciation of who and what makes life worth living.