Chasing the Boogeyman

By: Richard Chizmar

Narrated by: Chris Andrew Ciulla

The acclaimed New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling novel of small-town evil that “is genuinely chilling and something brand-new and exciting” (Stephen King) and “unforgettable” (Harlan Coben).

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.

Good read. I was pleasantly surprised by how the story was written. The characters were believable with unique personalities.

Even though this was a fairly long book, the author was able to maintain the tension of his story

No real depth

It’s a cool story, mixing fantasy and reality about the actual book you are reading/listening to. But you are taken on a ride with very little twists or turns. The pay off was extremely anti-climactic. Felt like a waste of time when it was finished.

Realistic

So realistic I literally googled to see when these things happened.. spoiler alert: it’s fiction! He is definitely one of my new favorites. Can’t wait to read his new one.

If you’re a Chizmar fan, this is for you.

Having never read or listened to a book by Chizmar before, the extended periods he spent going over his various writings and familiar locations that were supposed to be recognized by readers were largely lost on me. While not poorly written, I spent the bulk of the book waiting for anything to happen and then it was over just as it was getting interesting.

I would have thoroughly enjoyed this as a novella, because the story itself was good once it got there.

chasing the boogie man

Great story. Well written and well thought out. Chizmar is a good writer. Stephen King is my fav but Chizmar is also right up there.