Chasing the Boogeyman: A Novel Hardcover – August 17, 2021

I picked this book up based on posts I'd seen on Facebook and the fact that I had spent plenty of time in Edgewood, even working there for a few years. I also found out that the author was related to the dentist I used when I lived in Harford County, and that he knew some people near and dear to me. I even talked one of my friends into getting this book shortly after it came out, before I had even read it. 😂 Plus I could get a free signed bookplate and bookmark if I ordered that weekend.I read this book about 3 weeks ago and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Reading so intimately about so many places I was familiar with and reminiscing about my own childhood after reading Rich's memories about his childhood, made me feel like I was the main character. The lines blurred between fact and fiction. When I finished and read the author's note, I was so upset that I had gotten "hooked", caught up in the story, forgetting that I knew this is a work of fiction. I also lent my copy to a good friend of mine, who got caught up I. It as well. I will be lending my copy to another friend of mine this week.About 2 weeks ago, I found out that Richard Chizmar would be doing a book signing right in Edgewood last Monday. Luckily, I was already going to be in the area that day so I planned to go. I was able to get there early, and I was able to purchase the two Gwendy books already in print, as well as preorder the last book in the series, which will be out in February. I became friendly with the girl whose bookshop was sponsoring the book signing and she ended up using me as her example of how the line would work, once the Q&A was over. I got to be first in line to meet this wonderful author and from what I had gathered through social media and the Q&A that night, a very humble man. We spoke for about 15 minutes while he signed and personalized all 3 of the books I had, plus the new book will be signed and personalized when it comes out.But I digress. I CANNOT STOP THINKING ABOUT THIS BOOK. I cannot stop thinking about how Richard Chizmar hooked me, was able to get me caught up in his web, to make me angry, etc. When I first read "Chasing the Boogeyman", I thought, what an interesting take on two different genres, but now I am like, HOLY COW! this book grasps you from the first page and sticks with you, long after you finished reading it. It may not do it right away, but trust me, it has the potential to hook you and live in your mind for a long time.

I rated Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar 4 out of 5 stars.The reader is introduced to recent graduate and author, Richard Chizmar, and his hometown of Edgewood as they reel with the terrifying events plaguing their community. Several young girls have gone missing, abducted right from their homes and neighborhoods, and found mutilated. The town is thrown into the grasp of a serial killer who taunts the police, Richard and his family. As a community grapples with the horrific events unfolding and are left with no answers from the police, Richard makes it his mission to collect as much of a personal account as possible of the events unfolding. The investigation soon consumes Richard, so much so, he is considered a suspect himself.As Richard, and his close journalist friend, dig deeper into the crimes leaving his small town in a state of paranoia, he soon realizes the killer may be closer than anyone could’ve ever imagined. A realization that will haunt Richard many years later.I cannot say enough about how thrilling, well-written and clever this book is. Richard Chizmar’s imagination and combination of horror fiction and true crime provided unique writing that it was refreshing to read. Chasing the Boogeyman leads the reader on the journey of a serial killer and the crimes being committed from start to finish, detailing all the trials and tribulations the families, communities, friends, and law enforcement officials are forced to grapple with. Chizmar perfectly captures the victims and their families as well as the mind of the serial killer. It is done so in a way unlike most other novels within the genre. Not only is the read unique from start to finish but Chizmar sets the reader up for the perfect twist at the end, one that was unpredictable, terrifying and, sadly, relatable today. I applaud Chizmar for his approach in this novel and how well thought out each chapter was, focusing on varying aspects of the crimes, from an emotional standpoint and scientific one. This coupled with Chizmar’s unique psychological insight, made the novel feel as though you were part of the investigation every step of the way with Chizmar and the detectives.As an aside, there are some heavy topics dealt with in this book, not in super detail to make it gory, but enough which may be off putting to some readers. Be mindful of this before deciding to join Chizmar on the hunt for a serial killer.I would highly recommend this book to lovers of horror, true crime, and thrillers! I will also advise you know to set aside a few hours because you’re going to have a very difficult time putting the book down