Genre: Supernatural Thriller
Length: 333 Pages
Publisher: Gallery Books
Release date: August 17, 2021
Synopsis: In the summer of 1988, the mutilated bodies of several missing girls begin to turn up in a small Maryland town. The grisly evidence leads police to the terrifying assumption that a serial killer is on the loose in the quiet suburb. But soon a rumor begins to spread that the evil stalking local teens is not entirely human. Law enforcement, as well as members of the FBI, are certain that the killer is a living, breathing madman—and he’s playing games with them. For a once peaceful community trapped in the depths of paranoia and suspicion, it feels like a nightmare that will never end.
Recent college graduate Richard Chizmar returns to his hometown just as a curfew is enacted and a neighborhood watch is formed. Amid preparing for his wedding and embarking on a writing career, he soon finds himself thrust into a real-life horror story. Inspired by the terrifying events, Richard writes a personal account of the serial killer’s reign of terror, unaware that these events will continue to haunt him for years to come.
A clever, terrifying, and heartrending work of metafiction, Chasing the Boogeyman is the ultimate marriage between horror fiction and true crime. Chizmar’s “dazzling work of fresh imagination and psychological insight” (Caroline Kepnes, New York Times bestselling author of You) is on full display in this truly unique novel that will haunt you long after you turn the final page.
My Review-
I had my doubts about this book, which is why I hadn’t read it sooner. There have been a overwhelming amount of great reviews, and a lot of hype about Chasing the Boogeyman. I thought, what is all the talk about? I’ve read Widow’s Point, and the Gwendy series. Those were good reads, but they didn’t have this level of buzz.
Well, guess what, this book lived up to it all, and I was more than pleasantly surprised. Richard Chizmar did a bang up job blurring the lines between fact and fiction. They way he set the story up and immediately set this thriller in motion, I was sucked in and couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed the ride every step of the way until the identity of the Boogeyman is discovered. Chasing the Boogeyman has fully fleshed out characters, an attention grabbing plot, and excellent storytelling.
I don’t get to enjoy a book that checks this many boxes often enough. This is a book I could read again and enjoy it as much as the first time. After reading Richard Chizmar’s latest effort, I’m now a huge fan. I highly recommend Chasing the Boogeyman if you love a good thriller and mystery. Click the link below and get a copy!
Link to purchase Chasing the Boogyman
Richard Chizman, Biography-
Richard Chizmar is the author of Gwendy’s Button Box (with Stephen King) and A Long December, which was nominated for numerous awards. His fiction has appeared in dozens of publications, including Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and multiple editions of The Year’s 25 Finest Crime and Mystery Stories. He has won two World Fantasy awards, four International Horror Guild awards, and the HWA’s Board of Trustee’s award. His third short story collection, A Long December, was recently published to starred reviews in both Kirkus and Booklist, and was featured in Entertainment Weekly. Chizmar’s work has been translated into many languages throughout the world, and he has appeared at numerous conferences as a writing instructor, guest speaker, panelist, and guest of honor. Please visit the author’s website at RichardChizmar.com.
The Scary Reviews 