Richard Chizmar is just f-ing brilliant! After reading and loving Chasing the Boogeyman last year, I was cautiously excited about reading the follow-up to that mind-blowing novel--I needn't have been concerned. Chizmar's second novel about happenings in Edgewood, Maryland is even better than the first.

While Becoming the Boogeyman can be read as a standalone, I do not recommend beginning with this novel. It takes place 35 years after the first, with Chizmar a family man, a successful author, and a copycat murderer on the loose. Like the first novel, readers will find themselves checking the author's notes and acknowledgements repeatedly, to reassure themselves that this is really fiction, not true-crime. Complete with photos of crime scenes and yearbook photos of victims, and a narrator who is the actual author of the book, the line between fact and fiction becomes extremely blurred.

Unique style aside, the murder mystery is terrifying, as well, with multiple creepy killers weaving in and out of the story and mixed up with the probability that some of the occurrences are pranks. I actually gasped several times during my reading, when particularly chilling things happened.

Happily, Chizmar leads cleanly into what I am certain will be a third Boogeyman novel to come, with a not unexpected cliff-hanger. I am looking forward to it, without reservation this time! Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the digital ARC of Becoming the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar. The opinions in this review are my own.

Reading Richard Chizmar's CHASING THE BOOGEYMAN two years ago was emotionally wrenching. No relief from that with his newest, BECOMING THE BOOGEYMAN (Release October 10, 2023). These events occur in summer, but are so apropos to October's Spooky Season. We're given a lot of backstory to pull in the events of CHASING THE BOOGEYMAN's 1988 murder series, but we're also treated to Chizmar's trademark deep nostalgia throughout, woven into this narrative of Sunmer 2022. Be cautioned that, couched as it is, as well as the previous book, in the format of a true-crime account, it's not for the faint of heart or stomach, nor for those readers easily emotionally distraught. I applaud Mr. Chizmar's willingness to be openly authentic and held accountable; and there were multiple twists both unexpected and shocking. I expect there will be another addition to the Boogeyman Mythos in future.

*I have included my review for both books*

📖 Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5

Okay, so I’ve been sitting on this one for days trying to put into words how I truly feel. Now, this book was good and different. Chizmar wrote this story in a very personalized manner, meaning his name was kept when telling this story, giving it an extremely realistic touch. This book was written as a fictional true crime.

While reading, you’ll find crime scene photos which made it all that more chilling. I swear, I was searching certain things up online because the line between fiction and reality felt so thin.

Unfortunately, this book fell overall flat for me. The beginning was incredibly slow, a solid 20-30 pages all about the MC’s childhood and town, before getting into something intriguing. Throughout, there were moments I found myself spacing out. I personally was not a huge fan of the ending; the revelation did not excite me like I expected it to.

I would still recommend this book, especially during this spooky season. There were definitely impecable eerie vibes and I need you all to be Googling things like I was.

Pub date: Available now!

📖 Becoming the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

•~

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This book continues the same fictional true crime style and also includes crime scene photos. You could honestly read as a stand-alone.

We follow Chizmar and his family years later after the Boogeyman has been caught. Chizmar is now a successful author that hit it big with his true crime novel.

Of course, it can’t all be perfect - this guy has terrible luck. With his success and fame, danger has also seeped into his and his family’s life.

A gruesome discovery Chizmar made while on a walk has him questioning a few things about what he knows. Has the Boogeyman returned? Wait, but he’s behind bars. Is this the work of a copycat?

Sadly, this one just couldn’t keep my attention; I had a hard time concentrating. I felt like I was reading a lot of things that weren’t necessarily relevant.

I like to always remind people that these are my personal thoughts. Reading is subjective just like music. I think the author is incredibly talented and his writing style is creative. I look forward to reading more from him, but this one didn’t quite mark me.

I will be rounding up on Goodreads.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster, and the author for the opportunity to review this book.
Pub Date: 10/10/23

I love “Chasing the Boogeyman” which is the first in a probable trilogy. Becoming the Boogeyman is a follow-up with the same format as the first. I remember it being highly original - true crime metafiction where the author inserts a serial killer into his neighborhood and gets mixed up with the investigation. Once again, Chizmar had me google names, places, etc as I was not sure what was true and what wasn't.

The author has taken us back to Edgewood, Maryland his hometown. Although The Boogeyman has been arrested and doing time at Cumberland Maximum Security Prison since the 80s, similar atrocities are reoccurring in this small town. Chizmar is being blamed for drawing negative attention with his bestseller book Chasing the Boogeyman and now a copycat serial killer is amongst them.

Confused yet? LOL

I enjoy Chizmar's self-deprecating humor and snarky thoughts. Twitter posts and online community chats are the best and had me laughing out loud. Of all the characters, my favorite has to be Chizmar's friend and journalist Carly. The guy's long weekend getaway was funny as hell.

Chizmar's a great storyteller. I like his attention to detail with every victim. They all have depth to them and I feel bad knowing what's going to happen. With that being said, too often I feel the author veer off the path to tell every story and I was waiting ... and waiting to find the killer. Also, I know the author and Stephen King are friends and have written books together and I like when authors name-drop or plug another author's work in their novels, but this is waaay excessive. It goes from cool to creepy.

Even though I didn't love the sequel as much as I did the first, I still enjoyed Chizmar's creativity and humor.

Thank you Gallery Books for this DRC.

A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing an eARC of Richard Chizmar’s Chasing the Boogeyman. This year, I am honored to have the pleasure to read and review that book’s sequel, Becoming the Boogeyman.

Characters
My favorite thing about both Chasing the Boogeyman and Becoming the Boogeyman? That Richard Chizmar made himself (and his family) into characters in the story. He mixes his own real life with fiction to create the story. Are all of the characters real? No. But some of them are. Figuring out which ones, if any, are real (aside from Richard and his family) and which are fictional is part of the fun. Not to mention that some of the characters might be fictional but be based on people Richard knows in real life.

Atmosphere
This book has a downright creepy atmosphere. Imagine having written a book about a serial killer only for that killer’s M.O. to start being used to kill again – even though you know the killer is still locked up tight. And what if it seems those killings are starting to target you? Yeah – creepy, strange, and at the same time, exciting. This book put forth a great atmosphere and I absolutely loved it.

Writing
Richard Chizmar has worked with Stephen King… so obviously he has a great writing style. What l love most about Becoming the Boogeyman, and the first one Chasing the Boogeyman, is that it is written to mix reality with fiction. It is written to not only engage you but to, in some cases, make you question what parts are real and what parts aren’t. You have to be a pretty damned amazing writer to pull that off and he does is beautifully.

Plot
Oh, I could go on and on about the plot for this book. It really is a brilliant plot line. Sure, we’ve all seen the “killer was locked up years ago and now it looks like he’s back” trope. I mean, that trope has even been used on shows like Criminal Minds. But this one has twists and turns that you wouldn’t even expect in a million years. This one mixes fiction and reality and makes it into a cohesive story. It’s a superb plot using a tried-and-true trope and I’m here for it.

Intrigue
If you’re looking for intrigue this book has it by the truckload. You’re always wondering what happens next, when the next murder will be, who will be murdered, how they’ll be found, etc.. You just won’t want to put Becoming the Boogeyman down.

Ending
The ending of this book. First, figuring out who is doing it and why they’re doing it. Finding out if there’s any connection to the original killer and if so what. But the epilogue/”After” section – holy cow. That sent a shiver down my spine and made me hope for perhaps a third installment. Of course, that is all up to Mr. Chizmar. But I do really hope there is a third installment.

I gave this one 5 stars because it kept me coming back for more and wanting to know more. I can’t wait to see what other books Richard Chizmar has in store for us.

Becoming the Boogryman is the follow up to Chasing the Boogeyman, in which Chizmar created a serial killer and inserted him into Chizmar's hometown and wrote the book as if it were true crime, using real people and places of his youth. This book continues that style. Be sure to read Chasing the Boogeyman first, though.

The plot is best described by the publisher, so check out the blurb. I don't want to give away any spoilers. This book is fantastic, albeit with a little less wow-factor that Chasing the Boogeyman had because of the uniqueness of the premise. It was fun taking a stroll through Chizmar's memories and his life now with a wife, kids, and a successful writing career, and how he adds to that with his fictional characters. All the main characters are fleshed out and the writing keeps you interested from the first word to the last.

It looks like there may be a Book 3, and I can't wait to get my hands on it! Recommended for those who love a good mystery and/or true crime. Becoming the Boogeyman hits bookshelves on October 10th.

My thanks to Gallery Books, author Richard Chizmar, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

When Richard Chizmar released chasing The Boogeyman in 2021 I knew us readers were in for something unique and special. And I was right! A true crime story but a fictionalized meta novel?! Sign me up right away! And THEN when I heard he was releasing a sequel?? SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!

BECOMING THE BOOGEYMAN had me on the edge of my seat and I was even more engaged than I was with the prior book. Everything I loved about the first book was enhanced and expanded upon in this new one. In the sense that every slasher movie needs a sequel, does the same go for true crime and the vicious perpetrators?? And one can't help but compare a sequel, but for me this one totally delivers! At times this felt even darker than its predecessor, and I loved all those sinister crannies Chizmar explores. His ability to blur the lines between nostalgia and creepy goes hand in hand with fact and fiction, too. Joining in on this ride to uncover the truth and the who and the why was an extremely enjoyable time and I hope this ride never ends!

Like its predecessor. Chasing The Boogeyman, this book reads like a non fiction. Using every detail that made the first book a page turner, Mr Chizmar, made his story seem real and authentic.

In this story it seems that the original boogeyman has a copycat that is following in his horrific footsteps and seems to be targeting the author and his family. There has been much furor after the publishing of the original book and the concept has caught the eyes of many a strange and frightening population. As Richard is targeted, he becomes immersed in the life of the original boogeyman, a person who delighted in murder and mayhem. Although he has been caught and is in prison, the circumstances of the current deaths, makes one wonder if perhaps he has found a way to escape.

Many of us, myself included, are fascinated by these true crime stories (although this one is not), and find the whole psych of a killer to be one that is not only scary but also one where we would never be aware of who might be wielding the terror at hand.

Well done story that has many fascinating details, plus pictures of the victims, the places where the murder occurred, and the police involved to make the story appear real and totally believable.

Thank you to Richard Chizmar, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for a copy of this book which will publish October 10, 2023.

In this clever but sequel to Chizmar’s 2021 bestseller Chasing the Boogeyman, the author again brings an approach to the serial killer thriller. Journalist and horror writer Rich takes his dog out for a walk and finds a garbage bag filled with human remains They are Annie Riggs, the sole survivor of the Boogeyman’s 1980s killing spree. Rich, who became a key figure in that investigation, is thrust back into the spotlight. Media attention about a potential copycat killer starts to overwhelm Rich and threaten his marriage. More girls begin to disappear; when their bodies are found, each is missing an ear. Reluctantly, Rich investigates once again. Sections about Rich’s childhood in Edgewood and his visits to the Boogeyman in prison vibrate with intensity. The novel’s structure, which includes news clippings and reviews of the last book were intriguing and interesting.

Outstanding fiction that feels like a very dark and disturbing memoir. Chizmar writes in a unique and compulsively readable style, making the entire plot, all the characters, and the setting seem incredibly real. I cannot get enough of this story despite it freaking me right out. I love it!

Full of suspense. This book kept me guessing from start to finish. I read this as a standalone but now I need to go back and read the first book.

I've become a huge Chizmar fan over the last few years and Becoming the Boogeyman has cemented him as favorite in the genre. You definitely should read Chasing the Boogeyman first. The monster here is truly terrifying and this is the perfect October read!

This story picks up sometime after the conclusion of Chasing the Boogeyman. The serial killer, Joshua Gallagher is behind bars.....all is over and life moves on, but was it truly over?

Richard Chizmer has been continuing to conduct interviews with Josh, anxious for answers. Through their bizarre conversations, Josh keeps hinting that he is becoming something special, a bit more than human perhaps? Then Richard is walking his dog one morning and finds a garbage bag on the sidewalk by his house, nervous as to what is in it, he calls the police. It is as bad as Richard feared.

There is a new string of killings, is it Josh somehow, though he is locked up? Is it a copy cat killer, one of Josh's many fans? The media storm begins and Richard's family and home are under seige. Many blame Richard because of the book he wrote on Josh's killings. The end of the final chapter has me so excited (I won't spoil it though).

This sequel is told the same as the first story, as a true crime with the author himself and his family and many of his friends as characters. Very unique concept which I thoroughly enjoy....and I did check Google several times to see if places and people showed up as real. These stories a amazing and I pre-ordered Becoming the Boogeyman before I was approved to read the e-ARC. After reading it, I would have wanted to own it anyway.

Thank you to Netgalley, Gallery Books and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this next in a now favorite series.

After reading (and loving) Chasing the Boogeyman a couple of years ago, I was thrilled to learn about the sequel and even more excited to report that it did not disappoint. Part true crime and part fiction, Becoming the Boogeyman delves deeper into Chizmar's decades long obsession with a serial killer who abducted and killed several young girls in his hometown.

"True stories rarely behave like novels. True stories are often messy and frustrating and filled with the kind of maddening minutiae that doesn't necessarily lend itself to breathless page turning. Sometimes, true stories are even boring...until they're not."

This story was outstanding. It's creepy, unsettling, and it kept me guessing. And the use of photos, newspaper clippings, and transcripts of interviews enhanced the terror. I am blown away by the author's ability to create a terrifying story that so effectively blurred the lines between fact and fiction in the best way possible.

Huge thank you to Gallery Books for the arc!

Becoming the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar is the sequel to Chasing the Boogeyman. I really enjoyed my reading experience with the Chasing the Boogeyman, but I just could not get into Becoming the Boogeyman. I"m not sure that my DNF of this had anything to do with the book, it's probably just me! I've heard so many good things about it and I'm sure it will be just great for the right reader!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange of this review.

I cannot begin to adequately articulate how well written this novel is . It follows up after Chasing the Boogeyman , but could stand on its own. It is written so seamlessly that it really appears to be a true story.
It is not…but it could be…and that is what makes it so sinisterly good.
I am beginning to wonder if S. King is writing as Chizmar or Chizmar is writing as King? Their style is so similar, so comfortable the reader feels like they have stepped into the slipstream of the writers mind..
If you enjoy a really great read, try the Boogeyman books. You won’t be disappointed.
I highly recommend! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me this ARC.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book

I loved Chasing the Boogeyman and recommended it as one of the best books I read that year. When I saw a sequel, I was a little leery because I had no desire to read a prequel, which is what I expected based on the title, but thankfully, the story picks up decades later. And, like the first, the plot is a mix of fact and fiction.

To avoid spoilers, I won’t discuss much plot here, but I will say that the story still follows a fictitious version of Richard Chizmar, much like how he lives now, wife, kids, big yard with a pond, etc. But the entire Boogeyman storyline is false. I was still enthralled with the true crime aspect of the writing, but the “put the author into the story” wasn’t unique anymore, so I ended up giving this one four stars.

I would absolutely recommend this one to anyone who read and loved the first. It was great to revisit the world and see just what all has happened since we left Chizmar and the Boogeyman.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an early look at one of my favorite authors!

How I love a Richard Chizmar! But this one fell a little flat for me. Just a bit…

“Chasing the Boogeyman” was pure genius. Suspenseful, funny and creepy. My favorite read of 2021. And I think comparing Chizmar’s new work to CTB, is probably unfair.

However, “Becoming the Boogeyman” had a lot of the same elements as CTB, but it was a little outlandish. No spoilers, but man, this guy has some string of bad luck!

I still felt the same emotions reading this book as its predecessor. They both had me checking my Ring cameras at 3am and questioning the normal house sounds of nighttime. Chizmar’s writing is superb, as always, rendering me frozen with his vivid descriptions and suspenseful layout.

I’m giving this book 4 stars out of 5 because, as I mentioned, there was a lot happening and I still felt the motive for the events were unfounded and a bit random, especially the ending. The format of the interviews & chapters overall were distracting, as well.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Becoming the Boogeyman.

I really enjoyed the first book so I was excited my request was approved for the second.

Once again, the author seamlessly blends fact with fiction, weaving the tale of a copycat serial killer preying on innocent people once again in his hometown.

Mr. Chizmar knows how to utilize the meta fiction trend well; placing himself and his family in the spotlight, adding realistic touches like crime scene photos, photos of the 'suspects', and 'victims.'

I had to keep reminding myself that this was FICTION, not about a real life serial killer that was terrorizing him and his family recently. This didn't happen.

You know the writing and story is good when you have to keep reminding yourself of that.

Some aspects of the narrative are real, like the author's family and famous friends, but it's all fiction and it's a great story, full of tension, suspense, and plain old creepiness.

Are there some scenes and moments of disbelief, sure, but the author writes well and crafts a tense game of cat-and-mouse between himself and the Boogeyman so you can't help but be pulled along for the ride.

Looking forward to the next book in the trilogy!

Let me start this review by saying that I cannot say enough good things about this book and this series! While I went into this book fully knowing that it was fiction, I can't help but feel that its real! I find myself wanting to google the characters and the locations and feeling like I need to go down a true-crime-reddit-rabbit-hole. The writing is impeccable and Chizmar is masterful at making us feel like we are a part of his world. The characters are well-written and flushed out (whether based on real people or entirely fictional) and each have their own unique voices. While this story is horrifying and scary, its also touching and beautiful - which is something that is really hard to accomplish. After finishing this second book in the series, I truly feel like a part of the Chizmar family, and books like this always have a long lasting effect on me. This series is one of my favorite that I've ever read and I cant wait for the next installment!

I want to say a huge thank you to Richard Chizmar, Net Galley, and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader's Copy of BECOMING THE BOOGEYMAN. You all will never know how much it mean to me to be a part of this experience!