Chasing the Boogeyman A Novel

Not sure why I bought this book as a very much NON-non-fiction reader. However, I’m glad I did. Chizmar tells this tragic, haunting story in the best way. I enjoyed the scrapbook feel of the pictures in each chapter.

Highly recommend to any true crime fans.

         Every year I download a few of the yearly reading challenges and try to complete them.  I don’t preplan around the challenges, I usually just read a book and try to match it to one of the prompts.  This year, however, I’m going to make an effort to pick books that fit the prompts ahead of time.  I am determined to complete these challenges!  One of the reading challenges I do is the 52-Book Club challenge, and no, I have yet to complete it.  I picked out this book to complete prompt 47: Self-Insert by An Author.  It took me a while to even figure out what that meant, which made me feel a tad ditzy.  Thanks to Goodreads, a book-based website that has entire lists based on each of these prompts, I was able to find that Richard Chizmar frequently inserts himself into his novels.  I have been looking for a reason to read another Richard Chizmar (my TBR lists are pretty rigid), so this news made me irrationally excited. 

            Richard Chizmar was living with his parents while patiently waiting to get married following his college years.  In Edgewood, Maryland, he spent his days reminiscing about his childhood and writing short horror stories that he dutifully submitted to obscure publications.  Anticipating a quiet year, his routine was rudely interrupted by the emergence of what eventually became the serial killer known as The Boogeyman.  For the next few months, the town is terrorized by this enigmatic murderer who is never apprehended. 

            Chizmar prefaces the book by reminding the reader that this entire book is, in fact, a work of fiction.  I read that a scratched my head because I couldn’t imagine why he felt like that was necessary, until I read further.  He formatted this tale as a true crime book, making it feel like the events included were real.  The man even included pictures at the end of each chapter.  It did become difficult to separate fact from fiction (the town is real, his friends and family are real, and a few other elements were also grabbed from reality), which is a testament to Chizmar’s writing.  The format is exceptionally clever, and while Chizmar does tend to dwell a tad on his own life, it’s very well-written.  It definitely appeals to those who enjoy true crime, and it should also appeal to those of us who enjoy dark, murderous fiction. 

i was spoiled for a big piece of this book that i now realize would have legit left me reeling after reading the author's note at the end if i hadn't known. i really wish i'd gone in blind. but regardless, this was so clever and engrossing and good. read this in literally one sitting, couldn't put it down.

What an engrossing book this was! It was so detailed and well written that I had to check a few different times to make sure that it was actually fiction. I’ve read a few stories/books by Richard Chizmar, but Chasing the Boogeyman was my favorite (and has me all kinds of excited to read more of his work). It’s 5 stars from me on this one. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster/Gallery Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Richard Chizmar’s interesting take on fictional true crime is one of the best things I’ve read this year. I somehow missed the author’s note in the beginning of the book stating very clearly that this is a work of fiction and read the entire book as though it were true crime. I absolutely loved this story and have encouraged many to pick up a copy! Chasing the Boogeyman is 316 pages long and took me four days to read. I adore this book and am giving it a 4.5 out of 5. Seriously, read this book! Thank you, Gallery Books, for sending me this copy! Here’s to the adventure of finding a novel novel! Lacey

The concept of the book of a fictional true crime book carried me through most of the book. I was little jarred by some of the pictures looking too new to be in the 80s. Found myself skimming more than reading in chunks of the book.

Loved the genre-bending of the real place and people/not real events nature of this book. My favorite sections were the intimate moments with his parents. Strange for that to be what stood out to me in a story about a serial killer terrorizing a town, but it was so touching and comfy feeling to me. Loved it!

True Crime Horror This was a gripping true crime thriller that read like fiction and nonfiction at the same time. It offered all the true crime clues and interviews but it really read just like a fast paced thriller. It’s good to know that I have another favorite author to add to my list right next to Stephen King.

6.00 on CAWPILE I liked the idea better than the execution. It was interesting and well written but wasn't as thrilling/horrific/creepy as I was hoping. I think fans of King will like this one. The set up for the town is very reminiscent of King.