True-crime fiction? Who knew that was a thing? But Chizmar does it so well. This book feels real. The characters and the crimes feel real. And the unsettling feelings feel real. BECOMING THE BOOGEYMAN is a great read for spooky season.

I highly recommend adding both Chasing The Boogeyman and its sequel, Becoming The Boogeyman by @richard_chizmar to your spooky season TBR list! Both books are works of fiction that are written as true crime. The realistic narrative is what makes these books so scary. In Becoming The Boogeyman, Chizmar explores the fallout of true crime celebrity and the nightmare scenarios that come with it.

Both books are so well written and create a creepy atmosphere in which you will wonder if a serial killer is currently watching your own house while you read these books! I ended up reading these books back to back and could not put them down. Definitely go ahead and read Chasing The Boogeyman so you are ready to read it’s sequel when it publishes on 10 October 2023.

Thank you @gallerybooks for allowing me to read Becoming The Boogeyman ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

(I have also added this review to the Barnes & Noble website)

With the Boogeyman safely behind bars, the town of Edgewood heals. Until the murders start again and the boogeyman is needed to understand the evil.

Chizmar has done it again and cemented his place among King and McCammon as one of my favorite authors. The style of fictional true crime he does here is so innovative and there’s no way not to get hooked in. While this one didn’t have the constant wittiness of a young adult narrator, like Chasing the Boogeyman, it had a lot more heart as Chizmar is now a man with a family to protect and love. I am so happy that the ending set up for a third book and need it now! Of course that it takes place in my state (Maryland), is an added bonus for me. The author’s note at the end really helped finalize this story for me; showing how it came about and what parts are real. It also answered my question of… who are the pictures of?!

“Can an entire city be haunted? I believe the answer to be an unequivocal yes. I also believe that Edgewood, Maryland, may very well be such a place.”

Becoming the Boogeyman comes out 10/10.

This is an amazing follow up to Chasing the Boogeyman. Chizmar brings an excellent expansion to his original story, both filling out the past, and building the possibility for future thrills.

Look. Chasing the Boogeyman scared the shit out of me. EVEN AFTER reading the author's note, I still would think about it, night after night, just randomly, going over the story. When I saw that Richard Chizmar was writing a follow-up, I JUMPED at the chance to read an advanced copy.

As expected, I loved this. Returning to the world of Josh Gallagher and a 'meta' Chizmar, we find Richard now living in the postbook and movie success of Chasing the Boogeyman. He's a little less of the hometown hero and more of a villain, with many looking at him as profiting off of the death of the young girls. When he takes his dog out for a morning walk, he notices a dark garbage bag on his property, and as he gets closer, he notices the distinct smell of decay...

Becoming the Boogeyman is what happens after the killer has been caught. After a trial. After the books, the movie, the interviews. This is what happens when fandom of the dark side takes on another level.

But...just as he did with Chasing...Chizmar writes with a sense of nostalgia about his youth and his life and I feel that's what makes his writing so special. It's what drew me in the first time and what will continue to bring me back again.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book in advance of its review.

After reading the Gwendy trilogy, I decided I needed to read some more of Chizmar’s books. I devoured Chasing the Boogeyman and was excited to get this sequel, Becoming the Boogeyman as an ARC from NetGalley.

I love true crime books and this one did not disappoint! Loved the writing format, with interviews and pictures added in. Chizmar can write a scene so you perfectly see it in your mind. Fast paced read, creepy story, held my attention from the start. Hoping for a Boogeyman #3!!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC! I highly recommend reading this one after you’ve read Chasing the Boogeyman!!

Another slam dunk by Richard Chizmar. As it was with Chasing the Boogeyman, Becoming the Boogeyman is a year’s favorite. Again I was lost in the story and forgetting that it was just that a story and not a true story. Richard did a great job grabbing us with the small truths in the story. Can wait to see where the rest of this goes bc I just know there is more to tell. Five stars.

I enjoyed the first book in this series (I gave it 4⭐️ when I reread it recently), and was interested in seeing where a sequel would take this story and these characters. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect going in, but this book far surpassed the hopes that I had.

I think this second book did an even better job of mixing the nonfiction/history parts with the fictional story. It didn’t feel bogged down as I felt it sometimes did in the first book. I also really like this style of writing that makes Chizmar’s life apart of the story, and how he blends himself in with the fiction so seamlessly.

I was so invested in the mystery that was unfolding in this book. I won’t say much for spoiler’s sake, but I liked that the stakes were higher, the drama felt turned up a few notches, and the creepiness and suspense held tight to my attention.

THE ENDING! I gasped and bolted upright, scrambling to turn the page, only to find it’s the end of the book?! To say this ended on a cliffhanger would be an absolute understatement, and I cannot wait for book #3.

First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley and Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster Inc. for the eARC of this book. I have been looking forward to this book for so long!

I really enjoyed the first book: Chasing the Boogeyman, and while not absolutely necessary to be able to understanding Becoming the Boogeyman, I would say reading it first is very helpful for keeping track of details and understanding who Josh Gallagher is and the relationship between him and the author/main character. It had been almost 2 years since I read the first book and I had forgotten some of the important plot points while trying to read this book and keep up. Becoming the Boogeyman, like its predecessor does a great job of blurring the lines between true crime and fiction. The layered metafictional narrative will make you google the details because they feel so real! *Chef's kiss*

I love how Rich puts himself in the story, but doesn’t necessarily paint himself in a good light. It makes it feel like he’s really just a regular guy and that you’re experiencing the whole nightmare with him.

This book offered just the right amount of snippets of childhood and also portions of interviews with Josh Gallagher which was very helpful for character development. I found it very “unputdownable” and after I got to about halfway, I couldn’t stop and needed to know who the killer was! There were so many possibilities – was it the author? One of his sons? The neighbor? Carl the UPS guy? Another childhood friend? A random townie? It really made you think. I read a lot of true crime and murder mysteries and even I didn’t have it figured out before the end.

The revelation of the killer wil knock your socks off! And the cliffhanger made me both angry, and excited for the possibility of another book! I was definitely left with a few questions pinging around in my brain by the end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves true crime and serial killers as much as I do. I’m even going to suggest it to my book club!

I had the privilege of receiving an ARC of Becoming the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar, and I am absolutely blown away by this masterful work of horror fiction. He has once again proven himself as a true maestro of the genre.

From the very first page, this novel sinks its claws into you, immersing you in a world of darkness and fear. Chizmar's writing is a dark symphony of words, weaving a chilling narrative that will haunt your dreams long after you've finished reading it. The atmosphere he creates is thick with tension, and every shadow seems to hold a lurking menace.

What sets this book apart is its unique approach to the horror genre. Chizmar delves deep into the psyche of his characters, exploring their fears and vulnerabilities with a level of depth that is both unsettling and captivating. The transformation of the protagonist into the titular "Boogeyman" is a psychological rollercoaster that will leave you breathless.

The pacing of the story is flawless, with each chapter revealing a new layer of horror and intrigue. Chizmar knows precisely when to ratchet up the suspense and when to deliver those spine-tingling revelations that will leave you gasping in shock. It's a testament to his storytelling prowess that he can keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book.

The characters are richly drawn, and you'll find yourself sympathizing with their struggles, even as they descend into darkness. The moral and ethical dilemmas they face add a thought-provoking dimension to the narrative, making this more that just a tale of terror - it's a deep exploration of the human condition.

This is a tour de force in the horror genre. Chizmar's storytelling prowess is on full display, and he delivers a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is terrifying. If you're a fan of horror that delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche, this book is an absolute must-read. Prepare to be haunted, enthralled and utterly captivated by this masterpiece of horror fiction.

5/5 stars

#becomingtheboogeyman by @richard_chizmar This is a sequel to Chizmar’s “Chasing the Boogeyman” and it is just as creepy. I normally am not one that gets weirded out by a book, but this one does it.
It continues the story of the Boogeyman told in Chizmar’s voice about growing up with a serial killer.
Some of this story seems so real, it really makes you think that maybe it did happen and you just haven’t heard about it. It has photos of victims and locations to give you a feel for the town of Edgewood.
This book has a fantastic ending-will there be more Boogeyman? It is wide open!
Thank you to @netgalley for the advance copy.

Becoming The Bogeyman
by Richard Chizmar

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book to review!

Fantastic sequel to “Chasing The Bogeyman”. A coming of age true crime thriller. Excellent read for horror and true crime enthusiasts.

Thank you for letting me read this one early. BECOMING THE BOOGEYMAN comes out October 10.

I tried the first one before moving on to this and sadly, I just couldn't get into it. Sorry Chizmar fans, this one just wasn't for me.

This was so dang good! I loved Chasing the Boogeyman and worried this wouldn’t live up to the first book, but I was wrong. This book had me on the edge of my seat and completely creeped out. I can’t wait for book 3.

"The terrifying sequel to the acclaimed New York Times and USA Today bestselling novel Chasing the Boogeyman, which was hailed as "genuinely chilling and something brand-new and exciting" (Stephen King) and "unforgettable" (Harlan Coben).

A riveting, haunting sequel to the New York Times bestselling thriller Chasing the Boogeyman - a tale of obsession and the adulation of evil, exploring modern society's true-crime obsession with unflinching honesty, sparing no one from the glare of the spotlight. Will those involved walk away from the story of a lifetime in order to keep their loved ones safe? Or will they once again be drawn into a killer's web? As the story draws to its shattering conclusion, only one person holds all the answers - and he just may be the most terrifying monster of them all."

Always here for a true-crime obsession.

The sequel to one of the more interesting true crime thrillers of the last few years was a worthy follow-up. Whereas the first book in the series offered an engaging mix of nostalgia of a coming-of-age story mixed with a meta-fictional true crime narrative, the sequel pushes the series into a new direction. Featuring more elements of horror and mystery, the sequel really shines in looking at the collateral damage of celebrity and the true crime genre as Richard Chizmar is targeted by a copycat killer that is connected to a darker part of his past that remained hidden in the first book. For those who enjoyed “Chasing the Boogeyman,” Chizmar’s unique storytelling techniques continue to offer an engaging read that is hard to put down.

After reading Chasing the Boogeyman I was very excited to see this sequel was going to be written, and wasn't let down. Even knowing that this and first book were fiction Richard Chizmar is such a great writer that it was hard to not believe it was true once again. I loved reading this book and went through it in a couple days. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC so I got to read it for free.

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.

I really enjoyed Chasing the Boogeyman when I read it 2 years ago so I immediately jumped at the chance to read its sequel. When reviewing sequels, I like to make a point to state whether I feel you need to have read the first book. In this case I do feel it is necessary to read Chasing the Boogeyman immediately prior to starting Becoming the Boogeyman.
This book started out pretty strong but I think it was just drug out too long. The pacing is weird. Every so often there'd be an 'excerpt' from a book about Edgewood that was mostly irrelevant. There are a lot of characters you're supposed to just know (or remember) and a few times I went back several pages to see if I somehow missed a section. Having finished the book, I still have questions about some of the details. Nothing was really explained fully and this whole book was just a set up for a third boogeyman book.
Also, I realize that Richard Chizmar and Stephen King know each other in real life, but did he lose a bet or something? He name drops King so often in this book that it gives off creepy fanboy vibes.

Well, well, well, the boogeyman is back...or is he?

BECOMING THE BOOGEYMAN is the sequel to CHASING THE BOOGEYMAN which is still to this day one of the most uniquely written (and scariest) books I've ever read. Chizmar mixes reality and fiction in a way that I've never seen anyone even similarly attempt to do.

I thought I would need a refresher since it's been a while since I've read CTB, but it all came back to me upon reading BTB. I would DEFINITELY recommend reading book one before you read this one. While it could still be enjoyable on it's own, you'd be missing so much context and book #1 would be spoiled.

I definitely couldn't put this down and loved that the ending left room for (an almost guaranteed?) book 3!

NOW this is a book about serial killers, SO please be warned that parts are very gruesome and had me making some pretty disgusted faces. It was definitely too much for my weak stomach at times! Don't say I didn't warn you!

Thank you so much to Gallery Books for the ARC! This book will be available for purchase on 10/10!