Chasing the Boogeyman: A Novel

by Richard Chizmar

Genres: Horror, Mystery, True Crime, Fiction

432 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published October 22, 2024

About the author

Richard Chizmar is a New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Amazon, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author.

He is the co-author (with Stephen King) of the bestselling novella, Gwendy’s Button Box and the founder/publisher of Cemetery Dance magazine and the Cemetery Dance Publications book imprint. He has edited more than 35 anthologies and his short fiction has appeared in dozens of publications, including multiple editions of Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and The Year’s 25 Finest Crime and Mystery Stories. He has won two World Fantasy awards, four International Horror Guild awards, and the HWA’s Board of Trustee’s award.

Chizmar (in collaboration with Johnathon Schaech) has also written screenplays and teleplays for United Artists, Sony Screen Gems, Lions Gate, Showtime, NBC, and many other companies. He has adapted the works of many bestselling authors including Stephen King, Peter Straub, and Bentley Little.

Chizmar is also the creator/writer of the online website, Stephen King Revisited. His fourth short story collection, The Long Way Home, was published in 2019. With Brian Freeman, Chizmar is co-editor of the acclaimed Dark Screams horror anthology series published by Random House imprint, Hydra.

His latest book, The Girl on the Porch, was released in hardcover by Subterranean Press, and Widow’s Point, a chilling novella about a haunted lighthouse written with his son, Billy Chizmar, was recently adapted into a feature film.

Chizmar’s work has been translated into more than fifteen languages throughout the world, and he has appeared at numerous conferences as a writing instructor, guest speaker, panelist, and guest of honor.

Reviews

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much indifferent to this one

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of hype for this book which suckered me into buying it as well as the follow up too. It kept me going for a while. Suspense, tension, murder mystery, not horror. Metafiction about the murder of several young girls and the author’s obsession with solving the crimes. A nice blend of fiction and reality. One of those easy to read, fast paced books. Was it all worth it? I’m undecided. We will see how I feel after I read the next book.

[Paris Purnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Physical Book
-5 STARS
Initially I was in the airport returning home from my honeymoon when I picked this up. I started it and really got into it. The story was true crime from the 1980s, which made the mystery all the more sinister and uneasy to solve. I loved the small town feel, and the POV of Chizmar. However the ending kinda was unfortunate and kinda made me mad. I felt like I was so invested in this story, just for it to be fiction! 😵not saying I would have wanted any of the characters dead. But that part threw me. The author’s tone was personable, easy to understand and his descriptive nature was an added bonus. For other readers, I say give it a chance. It kept me on edge and thirsting for the next chapter. I plan on giving this author another try.

[Rema Tannous · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book for the purpose of having a beach read while on vacation. I was hooked once I got into the story and I didn’t realize it was based on real events. Richard Chizmar’s writing style was easy to understand. The ending was a little meh, but overall it was a good read.

[Marie Lafreniere · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really interesting concept for a fiction Novel. At first I thought I had signed up for a cool horror/murder thrill but then I kept reading, and checking the genre, and trying to figure out if I had somehow picked up a true crime, being confused that it was 'a novel', yet reading what seemed like a traditional true crime (which, I do love as well).
Definitely unexpected! What a cool concept.
This isn't your normal novel.
That said, I think it was hyped up a bit much as a "horror" and a "thrilling ride" to be honest... I was expecting an absolutely blood bath, gnarly horror murder true-crime mash up, but it was really just a bit tame. Not too crazy on the details of the murders, and nothing out of the ordinary for a depiction of a small town serial killer. (Maybe I am just desensitized and prefer the gore, but having Stephen King call it "chilling" and "scary" probably got my expectations up a bit high).

Anyhow, 4 stars for such a different concept! It was very interesting in that sense.

[Cole Grink · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel that feels like a slasher and a true crime at the same time. Chizmar's story build chapter by chapter with very little filler. Chizmar also wears his inspirations on his sleeve throughout with the two most prominent (to me) being Stephen King and John Carpenter's Halloween. The references to Halloween are uncanny. From the killer being called the boogeyman, to the scary house in a suburban town known as the "Meyers House", the dark clothes and white mask, the posing of victims, and the feeling that the "Boogeyman" is always lurking. The several mentions of Halloween top this off. The world building and small town feel feel very similar to that of Stephen King. Overall, if you're into Horror OR a True Crime type feel, would recommend for a quick and engaging read !

[Gwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring. Perfunctory. A lot of emotions were described but I didn't feel them. I didn't really feel for anyone in the story.
It had a vague sense of being familiar like I'd read it before however I know I haven't. I thought it was real until about halfway in realized it was blended fiction and non-fiction (the town and childhood experiences are real and the serial killer and murders aren't).
Anyway, something about how the author wrote and his tone just didn't sit well with me. He really built himself up in the town to the point where the serial killer would only do an interview with him and said he even wanted to be like him; it just had me rolling my eyes a lot towards the end because it was all so unbelievable.
Interesting concept however I didn't enjoy it.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, it's not a horror book, it's a mostly-fake true-crime thing - not even a thriller or even really a mystery. The story is decent enough but I was continuously pulled out of it by several issues:
1) the awful 1980s-man-trying-to-write-women-ness of it all. 5'6" star varsity hockey player who weighs 110lbs? Okay. Funny, I don't think any weights of men are ever mentioned.
2) just how much the author makes it all about himself, including several-page-long tangents about random crap like the first time he saw a bra *barf*
3) several small but annoying plot holes/inconsistencies that I won't get into because spoilers.
Overall easy read but could really use another round or 2 of editing.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea how I did not fully figure out that this book was not actually based on true events. I had a bit of a sense of it from certain details in some of the pictures, but I just dismissed it.
It genuinely shocked me when it was mentioned at the very end of the book. I loved the way the book pulled you in, with the descriptions or added details about community members, it felt like I was watching a movie or show. I am glad I chose to buy this book at Sam's Club randomly last year and will most certainly be reading more from Chizmar.

[Hallie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four teen girls are murdered in 1988 in Richard Chizmar’s home town. The author narrates how the summer and fall were haunted by a careful and elusive serial killer. Written as a true crime novel (complete with photos), this realistic small town horror novel is completely fictional. I had to check multiple times when first reading this book. Chizmar did a great job creating and making this serial killer believable. If crime books are your thing you’d probably enjoy this book.

[B.J. Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chizmar’s choice to weave a fictionalized version of himself into the fabric of this faux true-crime tale is both daring and intriguing. The narrative breathes with the nostalgic essence of an '80s Stephen King thriller, enhanced by the fact that Chizmar co-authored two novellas, Gwendy's Button Box and Gwendy's Final Task, with King himself. Yet, Chizmar’s unique voice shines through vividly, characterized by rich language, evocative descriptions, and vivacious dialogue that brings his characters to life. The story unfolds from the perspective of this fictionalized Richard Chizmar, flowing seamlessly like authentic true crime nonfiction and adorned with faux crime scene photographs that add a chilling realism to the experience.

Overall, CHASING THE BOOGEYMAN is a heart-pounding page-turner that ensnares the reader from the very first chapter. It’s a gripping read that lingers in your mind long after you've turned the last page—definitely a must-read for anyone captivated by the true-crime genre. ╌★★★★★

[Sab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, I think it's a cool concept to have the author as the main character. I loved how he describes his hometown and how they slowly start descending into madness as this killings keep happening. Definitely worth a read and I was trying to guess who the killer was the entire time so it makes it enjoyable and a fast read.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty good. 4 girls disappeared years back and while this was listed as a horror book didn't think it was. I can't really write a review as some of the story I found far-fetched, and I don't want to mislead other readers with my thoughts... All in all, it was ok, and I look forward to the next book by Richard Chizmar.

[Jaci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably even a 4.5 - definitely looking forward to reading more by the author. Great voice, very personal and conversational style. I had to hold myself back MANY times from looking up what was actually real here - glad I didn't, but I also appreciate the additional suspense that drew out for me while reading this.

[Cheryl Giesinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down!!!! Incredibly written, heart-pounding experience. You feel like it's your hometown going through the atrocities. I'm happy that they added the afterword. I needed to hear that the bastard got caught!

[Kaleigh Noble · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read that is able to keep your attention. 3.5/5

[Katie Nicole Mcculloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book is amazing. The story line, how almost feels like watching a true crime documentary.

[Sabrina Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like how this book was written. It felt like a true story. I will read more books by this author.

[Ashley Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting take on true crime! I enjoyed this twist!

[Jordan Maloney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Vicky Salyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book!

[Hannah Rauch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite but not the worst book I’ve read.

[Natalia Pawlowska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looove the twist at the end, I felt so fooled lmao, a fun read(:

[Rdlindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one's a cool concept: like Truman Capote's "nonfiction novel" flipped on its head? Instead of a nonfiction true crime book written like a novel, a novel written like a nonfiction true crime book? I think Chizmar executes the idea admirably here. I'd go with a three-and-a-half because, even though the book definitely pulled me in at the beginning, I didn't get quite as invested in it as I feel like I typically do in an above-average horror/thriller or "true crime" book. I'd still definitely recommend checking it out if you enjoy either genre.