Killing the Boogeyman

The Boogeyman #3

by Richard Chizmar

The terrifying horror trilogy finale to the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling series that includes Chasing the Boogeyman and Becoming the Boogeyman from “one of horror’s indispensable writers” (Paste).

Notorious serial killer Joshua Gallagher—dubbed “the Boogeyman” by the media—has vanished from prison. One moment, he was locked inside a maximum-security cell; the next, he was gone, leaving behind on the wall a crude hangman puzzle and two chilling IT’S TIME.

Now, days later, the world is coming apart again. Bodies are turning up near writer and Gallagher confidante Richard Chizmar’s home, echoing the Boogeyman’s signature horrors. The news frenzy reignites while the police chase shadows...even as Gallagher’s twisted true crime fanbase celebrates online, acknowledging that he’s something more than human now.

To everyone else, it’s a desperate hunt for answers. To Chizmar, it’s more like destiny closing in. The evidence, the sightings, the voices in the dark all point to one unthinkable the Boogeyman never left. And very soon, Chizmar must come face-to-face with the thing wearing Gallagher’s skin, and learns all too quickly that some nightmares don’t return—they evolve.

“Richard Chizmar delves deep into our worst fears and touches the darkness that lives there.” —S. A. Cosby

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Autumn, Mystery, Adult Fiction

336 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2026

Reviews

[LTJ]

“Killing the Boogeyman” by Richard Chizmar is the conclusion of an incredible serial killer horror trilogy. I loved the first two entries and was beyond excited to see how it would all conclude, especially with the insane plot twist at the end of the second book. Don’t worry, no spoilers here, but let’s just say you literally won’t be able to put any of these books down once you begin.

In case you want to check out this entire series, here they are:

Chasing the Boogeyman
Becoming the Boogeyman
Killing the Boogeyman

Before I dive into my horror book review, here are all the trigger warnings I found while reading:

- Cancer
- Kidnapping
- Abduction
- Violence against minors
- Suicide

If any of these trigger you, please do not read this novel. Moving along, this is as close as you’re going to get to serial killer horror that feels way too real. It is a work of fiction, obviously, but I swear you will feel like you’re in the middle of a true-crime thriller, trying to capture a madman. This was such a blast to read, thanks to how disturbing and creepy everything felt as I tried to piece it all together.

This was one hell of a way to end this trilogy, as I loved how fast-paced everything was. The short, quick chapters made reading this a breeze, while also mixing in interviews, images, and clips from a massive investigation to find The Boogeyman. It sent chills down my spine, thanks to the images you’ll see as you read.

This elevated the reading experience beyond words, seamlessly blending horror, true crime, thriller, and suspense into one wild conclusion. I loved how it helped fill in all the gaps from the first two entries, painting a picture of The Boogeyman and the mystery of what makes him tick.

Things got utterly insane towards the end, as all the suspense and tension that had been building for most of the novel literally had me on the edge of my seat. Once I hit the final 30%, I couldn't stop. It charges straight toward one of the craziest, wildest endings you could ever expect from a series like this, leaving me completely shocked. The final images and plot twists bring everything together nicely. I also enjoyed how certain parts of the book and their origins were explained in the final chapter after all the events unfolded to put a final bow on this trilogy. It will all feel unexpected, but in the grand scheme of things for me, it was a fantastic way to end it all.

I give “Killing the Boogeyman” by Richard Chizmar a 5-Star rating out of 5. This was a lot of fun to read, especially since I love serial killer horror that’s so brilliantly written it genuinely creeps you out because it feels so authentic. I always loved watching those true crime documentaries on Netflix, and this entire trilogy reminded me of that. The execution here was spot-on, and the images you’ll find while reading about The Boogeyman will blow your mind. All the characters, places, and crime-scene photos are guaranteed to creep the hell out of you. It also brought a smile to my face seeing all the Stephen King references and Easter eggs. If you’re looking for an incredible horror trilogy that feels a little too close to home even though it’s clearly fiction, look no further than The Boogeyman trilogy.

Thank you to the author Richard Chizmar and Gallery Books for providing me with an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) for review consideration. This horror book review reflects my honest, personal opinion.

The Boogeyman was here.

[Erin Craig]

An absolute triumph! A perfect blend of nostalgia and horror, terror and hope, fact and fiction, The Boogeyman series will have readers racing to its thrilling conclusion and still demanding more. Richard Chizmar is a literary force to be reckoned with!

[Dutchie]

The third and final (supposedly) novel of the Boogeyman trilogy picks up right where Becoming the Boogeyman left off. Gallagher has disappeared from prison and is still toying with Richard. His escape, naturally, leaves the town of Edgewood on edge.(!). The number of sightings of Gallagher is more than enough to keep the police busy as the town is chaotic with fear. With each new report, the sightings become more and more weird. Dead bodies are turning up and girls are going missing just like the last time.

The structure was very similar to the other novels. It reads almost like nonfiction and the pictures are interspersed at the end of each chapter always give it that extra realistic feel. While I enjoyed revisiting the characters and got sucked in to try and determine what really was going on with Gallagher and Richard, the pacing was just too slow with not much happening. It almost felt like it was leading up to some phenomenal twist that just never came. It didn’t necessarily need a twist. It just felt like the buildup was there. I can’t say that I learned more from this novel that I hadn’t known prior.

For this being the finale, if it truly is, I found it a bit lackluster. So far, for me personally, the first book is the best. For those unfamiliar with this trilogy definitely start with the first one. The style the author chose to write these in is really unique and by far my favorite aspect of the novels.

[Matt M]

Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review!

Killing the Boogeyman, the conclusion to Chizmar’s Boogeyman trilogy, picks up immediately following the events in Becoming the Boogeyman. Joshua Gallagher, the titular Boogeyman, has escaped prison.

This novel follows the same format as the first two books with a true crime and horror hybrid and easy-to-read first person narrative from a fictionalized version of the author. There are also lots of mixed media elements including transcripts of interviews and phone calls, social media posts, and news reports. And photos at the end of every chapter to really add to the true crime feel.

Chizmar examines the ramifications of true crime, its fandom, and how interest and curiosity can quickly become obsession. It also looks at the nature of human evil, what drives someone to do evil acts, and how that evil can permeate. The town of Edgewood also very much feels like a character of its own, much like the small towns in Stephen King’s oeuvre.

I read this in a couple of days while sitting on the deck at the lake. I had fun breezing through this one.

If you enjoyed the first two books, I think you’ll also really enjoy Killing the Boogeyman. If I had to rank them I would put Chasing first, then this one, and then Becoming last.

Killing the Boogeyman will be out on October 6th from Gallery Books.

[Dee (on hiatus)]

4.25 stars and full review to come

[Leslie Powell-Mccarty]

"He came home."

It's July 2, 2022 and convicted serial killer Joshua Gallagher aka The Boogeyman has escaped from the Cumberland Penitentiary. Sentenced to life in 2019 for the 1988 murders of four young women, he's returned to the Edgewood, Maryland area to wrap-up some unfinished personal business with his old "friend", author Richard Chizmar and his family.

Killing the Boogeyman is the highly anticipated conclusion to The Boogeyman series and it is amazing! The tension, dread, and fear that I experienced while reading Chasing the Boogeyman and Becoming the Boogeyman was dialed up a thousand times with this one. I read this while sitting on my porch at night and at times I was terrified. I felt like the Boogeyman was watching me from the woods that surround my back yard. I got chills! Everything the Chizmars and community are experiencing feels so real. I enjoyed learning Gallagher's backstory and what made him a monster. Also, the nostalgic flashbacks of Rich's youth are spot-on like popping tar bubbles in the street (didn't everybody do that?). These memories add so much depth and warmth to the story; I just love remembering those times. As always with a Chizmar book, his writing is more than engaging and it yanks you right in. You will not want to put this book down! Oh, and for the record, Kara is still the hero of the family IMHO! I highly recommend Killing the Boogeyman for fans of true crime, thrillers, mysteries, and horror. Read it!

Killing the Boogeyman is scheduled for release from Gallery Books on October 6, 2026. Thank you to Gallery Books and Netgalley for sending me an ARC for my fair and honest review.

[BookstagramSam]

Can’t wait for this one!!

[Louis (audiobookfanatic)]

BLURB:
Richard Chizmar faces a new threat when serial killer Joshua Gallagher escapes prison, leaving clues, bodies, and danger behind.

REVIEW:
This is the third and final book in Richard Chizmar’s popular Boogeyman series. Book 2 Becoming the Boogeyman, was three years ago, but I strategically waited until very recently to read it so I could have it fresh in my mind before starting this, and I am SO glad I did because Killing the Boogeyman picks up right after the cliffhanger ending of book 2. I was immediately immersed and connected with the characters again. Richard reemphasizes in his note to listeners before the audiobook: this is a work of fiction. Richard himself is the protagonist, and he uses his real family members, friends, and real places connected to his life, which creates a blur between reality and fiction. I found myself looking up some of the facts mentioned in the story because I wanted to see if they were real or fictional. This is a series you need to read in order if you want to fully understand everything happening, and I HIGHLY recommend bingeing all 3 back-to-back, especially on audio.

Like the other books in this series, this is told from Richard Chizmar’s first-person POV, and there is mixed media woven into the story, including telephone transcripts, news reports, interviews, witness statements, police interactions, and other things. Each adds another layer of intrigue and gives additional information and clues.

The book opens with a very gripping TMZ report announcing that serial killer Joshua Gallagher has escaped from prison, along with a prison guard who’s also disappeared. We already know what happened at the end of book 2, but hearing Richard’s reaction and seeing the immediate fallout for him and his family makes the opening very dramatic. Richard is back at the center of a media storm and online hysteria. Then the story jumps back to a conversation between Richard and Joshua from months earlier, where Joshua makes it clear how strong his connection to Richard is, and he asks about Richard’s family and specifically about Carly, an important character in the series, and I immediately started wondering exactly what he was planning.

Lieutenant McLaren and Detective Gonzalez return early on, and there are police-procedural elements throughout the story. Richard’s house becomes a base for the investigation, with officers stationed outside as everyone thinks Richard and his family are targets. There’s some intriguing security-camera footage for Richard and the police to piece through, along with an early missing-person thread connected to Richard, and I found myself increasingly worried about what was happening to them.

This book has longer chapters, with some chapters running for more than an hour on audio, which is NOT normally my preference. But I barely noticed because the story is always moving forward and is so immersive. I found the pacing and length better than book 2, with no slower sections. Richard also breaks the chapters into clearly defined sections, which are very noticeable when you’re listening on audiobook.

The second half is where things REALLY start escalating. There are multiple mysteries unfolding at once. I found myself becoming suspicious of more and more people surrounding Richard—including people I absolutely did NOT expect to be questioning. And as the stakes escalate and Richard is forced into making some difficult decisions, he puts everything on the line. There are scenes toward the end where Richard is forced to make a series of choices that felt like watching a horror movie unfold in my head.

I also want to point out that although this is marketed as horror, there isn’t much body horror in the book. So if you’re primarily a thriller reader or someone who doesn’t normally read horror, this is still a good option. The ending and some earlier elements gave me strong vibes of the original Halloween movie (IYKYK). I was a bit surprised that this is being presented as the finale, as there are things left unanswered and open to interpretation, and Richard could easily revisit this world, and I’d be there for it!! Because there’s so much to discuss, this book/series is a great option for a book club or buddy read.

And if you’re an audiobook listener, I recommend experiencing this entire series on audio. Chris Andrew Ciulla does a fantastic job with the pacing and with pulling you into Richard’s world and mindset. Regardless of whether you read thisin print or on audio, I recommend bingeing all three books back-to-back. And if you’re looking for something fresh and creepy for spooky season, this is the ultimate trilogy binge read!

[Emily]

First and foremost, thank you #NetGalley and #GalleryBooks for an advanced reader copy of this title in exchange for an honest review. I have been a HUGE fan of this series since reading the first book and having my socks scared right off! With that said, though, as the series has progressed, I feel that some of the spooky momentum has died off. I almost wish that I had reread the books before reading this final installment in the series because it picks up right where it left off in the second book.

The most enjoyable aspect of the book for me is the style of the writing! I have never read any other books that so seamlessly blend horror, thriller, true crime, and fiction all together. I did read this on an E-Arc copy, but I imagine that the audiobook would be an amazing experience. The one thing my experience was missing was the photos that are sprinkled throughout like the first book. Maybe it was an issue on my Kindle, but none of them were displaying in my E-Arc. No worries, I will still be busting down the bookstore doors to buy a copy tomorrow so I can see them!

The best way that I can explain this book is a build-up of anxiety and unanswered questions for at least 70% of the book. You better be LOCKED IN for the last 30% though because holy moly does it take off! What I certainly didn't expect was the new paranormal aspect that was included towards the end of the book. Chizmar took his time building up the suspense and fear of the Boogeyman being out on the loose. I was shocked to say that I wasn't feeling super motivated to keep pushing through when I realized I was already past the 50% mark in the book, but it may just be because this was slower-paced compared to the two books before this one. "Killing the Boogeyman" has been my least favorite in the series because of this; However, it is still very eerie and will keep you entertained! I just happen to prefer the first book overall. I have sat with my thoughts for a few days now and have settled somewhere between a 3.5 and 3.75 stars for this one - if that is even allowed :) As the weather is cooling down here in Ohio, it was the PERFECT time to start reading this to kick off spooky season. Highly recommend reading it in the fall for some atmospheric reading!

[Andrew Di Rosa]

I see what he was doing, but I’m not sure I loved the wrap up on the Boogeyman trilogy. Elements of the book were amazing, but the ending left me with a strange feeling of disquietude, and not in the way I think he wanted.

[Michelle]

Thank you to GoodReads for the advanced readers' copy.

Wow! I really love how this series blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural. You almost forget that this documentary-style book is a work of fiction (with some of the author's real life sprinkled within).

It's a wild ride and as you read, your mind changes from one moment to the next as to what is really happening.

I look forward to reading more from Richard Chizmar. Between this series and his work with Stephen King, he may become a favorite of mine.

[Karen Bullock]

WOWZA!
What a grand finale in this series thats sparked a new flair of combining a true crime vibe and the absolutely unhinged paranoia of horror.

This third installment is gripping, engaging/invigorating and immediately wraps the reader in a firm, not letting go hug-to the point of frightening!

Messages within seem to speak that “like attracts like” -that those who seek the darkness usually tumble down with the dwellers of the dark. Having the power/ability to hold over others as one person persuades another into bad behavior is the sign that there’s zero fear of repercussions.

Absolutely LOVED this series

Special shout out to Simon&Schuster for this arc, what a blast🥰🔥

[Bruce Lesley]

Very interested in this book as really liked Memorials published in 2024, surprises around every corner of this Appalachian backwoods thriller...

[Stacy40pages]

Killing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar. Thanks to the author for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In the conclusion to the Boogeyman series, convicted serial killer Joshua Gallagher, has escaped from maximum security prison. He’s left only a hangman drawing… IT’S TIME.

I think I loved this one almost as much as the first in the series, which is a lot! It’s the main character and narrator’s voice and wit that really makes the story, as well as the absolute creepiness that builds pretty quickly. The end of this one took the series to a new level, adding almost a paranormal touch, which was very enticing and left me craving the next book… although this was the series conclusion so I’ll have to use my imagination. Sometimes the best series leave you with a bit of a puzzle to think through. I highly recommend this entire series!

“Four innocent lives stolen by the Boogeyman. I knew their names by heart. I knew their faces. Sometimes I saw them in my dreams.”

Read if you like:
-Chasing and Becoming the Boogeyman books
-Autofiction or true crime
-Serial killer tropes
-First person narratives

Killing the Boogeyman comes out 10/6.

[Robert Ireland]

Killing the Boogeyman, by Richard Chizmar, is the satisfying finale of his Boogeyman series. Or is it not? I’ll leave that to the reader. As with his first two installments, Chasing the Boogeyman and Becoming the Boogeyman, Chizmar magically blends reality with fiction, while delivering a tale of horror, of suspense, of hope and desperation. His character development is nothing less than fantastic, using the authenticity of real people and real places merged with made up people and madeup crimes. He transforms his real-life hometown of Edgewood, MD into a town with an evil history, not unlike the town of Derry from the mind of his friend and sometimes co-writer Stephen King. He flawlessly combines first person narrative with nostalgic tales, Q&A interviews, media messaging and news articles to envelop the reader into his real life hometown of Edgewood Maryland and to his circle of family (Kara, Noah and Billy), friends from his past (the Hanson Road Boys and Carly Albright), and the police detectives trying to keep everyone safe from the monstrosity that is Joshua Gallagher, better known as The Boogeyman, an escaped serial murderer. And to the Boogeyman’s confidants, his disciples of mayhem and murder, and his peer serial killer Henry Metheny.

The reader will question Chizmar’s obsession with The Boogeyman to the point of taking unlawful steps to expose him and protect his family and friends. Or will he come to the practicality of what his actions should be. The reader will also question the reality of Joshua Gallagher. His nonchalantic attitude towards invoking terror and bloodshed. Is he a human psychopath or something else, something supernatural. Either way this is an edge of the seat tale from page one to the last word. Will the Boogeyman be caught and brought to justice or not? Will he continue his reign of terror. Will this true crime like tale have a happy ending or not? I’ll let the reader decide.
On a personal level, I have somewhat of an emotional attachment to the story, to the characters and to the town of Edgewood. I have been following and reading Chizmar for more than three decades, from reading his Cemetery Dance Columns, his short stories and his novels, most recently the Gwendy Trilogy, Memorials, Widows Point and The Boogeyman series. His longevity in the horror community is proof positive of his writing talent. Reading the Boogeyman series makes the reader believe he is there, present in Edgewood, friends with Richard Chimar, the proverbial fly on the wall, experiencing the terror, the anxiety and the fear of The Boogeyman.
All I can say is Go Read the Boogeyman series. Killing the Boogeyman will be released on Oct 6th. Get going. There is plenty of time to read books 1 and 2 to be sure you have all the backstory necessary to fully enjoy the final chapter!

I want to thank Richard Chizmar for enabling me to obtain an e-book copy of Killing the Boogeyman from Simon & Schuster. These perceptions are mine alone.

[Courtney]

What a satisfying ending to a great series! Read it! But be careful of the Boogeyman.

[Marissa • thecriminologist_reads]

I wouldn’t say it was an entirely satisfying ending to the trilogy…but it was an ending. At least, I hope it was. It doesn’t need any more entries.

[Justin Soderberg]

Richard Chizmar introduced us to a stellar, fresh, and gripping story in Chasing the Boogeyman , was able to recreate the excitement in the sequel Becoming the Boogeyman , but somehow managed to continue this feeling throughout the final chapter, Killing the Boogeyman . Each new addition had me thinking, how could possibly continue to tell this story in the manner he has and keep it fresh and entertaining, but each time he blows us away. Killing the Boogeyman is the thrilling conclusion to the trilogy the series deserved.

Notorious serial killer Joshua Gallagher—dubbed “the Boogeyman” by the media—has vanished from prison. One moment, he was locked inside a maximum-security cell; the next, he was gone, leaving behind on the wall a crude hangman puzzle and two chilling words: IT’S TIME.

Now, days later, the world is coming apart again. Bodies are turning up near writer and Gallagher confidante Richard Chizmar’s home, echoing the Boogeyman’s signature horrors. The news frenzy reignites while the police chase shadows...even as Gallagher’s twisted true crime fanbase celebrates online, acknowledging that he’s something more than human now.

To everyone else, it’s a desperate hunt for answers. To Chizmar, it’s more like destiny closing in. The evidence, the sightings, the voices in the dark all point to one unthinkable conclusion: the Boogeyman never left. And very soon, Chizmar must come face-to-face with the thing wearing Gallagher’s skin, and learns all too quickly that some nightmares don’t return—they evolve.

Killing the Boogeyman continues the format of a meta-fiction story told by Chizmar, as a somewhat fictional version of himself. Elements of the story are true, while the main storyline is a work of fiction. As with the first two novels, I found myself so engrossed along the way that had me blurring the line between fact and fiction, a true testament to Chizmar's writing and how this way for storytelling works. Richard also tosses in a few other pieces that make the lines blur a bit as well, news articles, interviews, social media, and more. Again, this just adds to the overall experience you don't get from traditional storytelling.

Outside of the unique way writing this Killing the Boogeyman, Chizmar has created a truly terrifying and thrilling mystery that is as much thriller as it is a horror story. I am not sure if knowing Chizmar himself made for the fear to be ratcheted up, but was honestly afraid for what would happen next way more than I have in most mystery thrillers I have read over the years. Richard is a talented enough writer, that I would think it would be as frightening either way. But there was definitely an emotional attachment with this one.

Killing the Boogeyman takes place directly after Becoming the Boogeyman, so reading the entire series is really a must. But what Chizmar dives into in this latest novel is not only the fear of who is in your backyard, but the overall fandom of true-crime and the fallout of what the obsession and unhealthy attachment could ultimately lead to in the worst possible situation.

You can tell Chizmar has a true attachment to his town of Edgewood, along with fond memories of growing up in the town as well as raising children in the community. The town is almost a character in its own right and we learn enough about it to have a caring connection to it and the ramifications they deal with after Chizmar's book and subsequent relationship with Joshua Gallagher.

While I am glad to see this series wrapped up and with a fitting concussion, it also makes me a bit sad that we are done (for now) with fictional Chizmar and his connection to Gallagher. After reading all three books, it feels like we are apart of this family and town and would love to continue to be a part of it. However, all good things must come to an end and Chizmar does so in amazing fashion.

Killing the Boogeyman was honestly exactly what I had hoped for in the final chapter of the trilogy. Richard Chizmar delivers a thrilling and wonderfully satisfying conclusion to the Boogeyman series, one it deserved. While it's bittersweet to say goodbye to Edgewood and the characters we have followed, Chizmar ends the story in unforgettable fashion. A frightening meta-fictional horror tale that had me blurring the lines between fact and fiction.

Killing the Boogeyman hits bookstores everywhere on October 6, 2026 from Gallery Books. The audiobook, narrated by Chris Andrew Ciulla, is available via Libro.fm!

NOTE: We received an advance copy of Killing the Boogeyman from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

[Heidi]

I recommend the Boogeyman series to anyone who will listen, so when I found out that Richard Chizmar was writing one final installation to the series, I raced to Netgalley to request an ARC copy, and then I shoved aside all of my current reads so I could dive right into it.

Much like Chasing the Boogeyman and Becoming the Boogeyman, this new book reads like true crime vs the fictional tale that it actually is. Chizmar blurs the lines between author and main character, and this story will also undoubtedly have you Googling locations and dates to see what is real and what is made up. It's a unique premise wrought with palpable tension, and I have yet to see anyone else pull it off as successfully as Chizmar does.

While Killing the Boogeyman puts you right back into the action of trying to locate escaped serial killer Joshua Gallagher, I have to say that this was my least favorite of the three books. Don't get me wrong, it was highly entertaining and completely addictive, but I just didn't feel as much of the anxiety or high-stakes tension in this one - despite them being written into the plot, I just didn't personally feel it as much this time.

In this novel, the Chizmars are heavily protected by numerous police officers at all times, and though the intrusion of the media is mentioned, you don't get to witness much of it firsthand this time around. The anxiety mainly stems from being trapped inside their home in a wait-and-see game as the police do their job, and Rich mostly waits around, loses sleep, and paces anxiously. The pace is much slower, and when the final showdown finally comes to a head, it felt a little rushed and anticlimactic for me. I liked the way that Chizmar wrapped up the novel in the final handful of pages, but overall, I wasn't totally satisfied with the way this one ended.

Still, if you're a fan of this series, you are definitely going to want to pick this one up to see how the last chapter of the storyline plays out!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC copy!

[Leisa Back Porch Pages]

✨Wow! What an incredible full circle ending to this truly one of a kind series. I still remember reading the first book and feeling like I had chanced upon something that had never been done before. I actually Googled at the time because I was convinced I’d stumbled onto a true crime novel that I had somehow mistaken for fiction.

✨ That’s the real genius of Richard Chizmar’s storytelling: it blurs the lines so convincingly. I’ve been fully invested from the beginning, and I’m happy to say that this final installment is every bit as outstanding as the first two in the series.

✨If you’re not familiar with the Boogeyman books, they are part fictional true crime, part nostalgic small-town memoir. The contrast between feel-good coming-of-age memories mixed with the horrors of a murder spree is equal parts highly unsettling and undeniably compelling. All three books deliver that steady current of thrills and chills that keep you glancing over your shoulder deep into the night as you read on.

✨This one had everything I love: tension, terror, high stakes, atmosphere, nostalgia, and characters I genuinely cared about. There’s also something uniquely surreal about becoming so invested in a fictionalized version of the very real Richard Chizmar.

✨Also shoutout to Kara, Rich’s wife both in real life and in the book. Throughout the series I have found her so relatable, especially in the ways she reacts to her husband. 😂😬😳🤯😮😲♥️🧡 Girl….I know!

✨This was an easy five-stars for me. Richard Chizmar continues to be one of my favorite authors.

🌿Read if you like:
✨Gen X childhood memories
✨Memories of monkey blood (Gen X kids know)
✨Stephen King style storytelling
✨Small town Americana atmosphere
✨Meta fiction
✨Richly layered horror

[Dani]

I originally requested this book on Netgalley not realizing it was the third in a series, so I had to rush and read the first two books. I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this series, I love horror books but don't tend to stay invested when it's fully a detective style book. Let alone a whole Trilogy. But I was invested through all the books, I couldn't wait to find out what was happening with each character, the backgrounds of everyone we were introduced to, where people were when they weren't in the story. I felt like I personally knew everyone and cared deeply about what happened to them. Richard Chizmar took his actual life experiences and the scary parts of his imagination, and created a (terrifying) story out of it. Once I figured out there was not in fact a boogeyman and this was metafiction (It took longer than it should have), I was able to fully fall into the story.

My only complaints:
I wish there were time stamps in this book. It was a lot to happen over just two days, it would have been easier to follow if there was a timeline.

The series felt like it ended out of nowhere. If this wasn't the last book, it would make more sense that it is leading into another. But there were still too many questions at the end and the original problem was not solved. The problem that started the book was that he had escaped and was loose, other problems were created from that and those problems were solved, but at the end he was still on the loose and for some reason everyone just accepted it and went back to normal. I understand that Rich seems to have gotten closure, but the police and the town sure didn't. AND I wish they would have explained what was actually happening to Joshua. It truly doesn't feel like the end of the series.

[Stefany Krantz]

🔪 Book Review 🔪

A nerve shredding conclusion to @richard_chizmar ‘s Boogeyman trilogy! As with the first two, Chizmar pulls you straight into the fear of living with an escaped murderer who has and is knowingly targeting him and his family, again. I’m not going to give too much away because you guys need to read this! However, if you’re new to the Boogeyman, you NEED to start with book one! Chasing The Boogeyman and then book two, Becoming The Boogeyman. Thanks so much to @richard_chizmar for the ARC! Release date: October 6th, 2026. Just in time for spooky season! 👻

Summary:

Notorious serial killer Joshua Gallagher—dubbed “the Boogeyman” by the media—has vanished from prison. One moment, he was locked inside a maximum-security cell; the next, he was gone, leaving behind on the wall a crude hangman puzzle and two chilling words: IT’S TIME.

Now, days later, the world is coming apart again. Bodies are turning up near writer and Gallagher confidante Richard Chizmar’s home, echoing the Boogeyman’s signature horrors. The news frenzy reignites while the police chase shadows…even as Gallagher’s twisted true crime fanbase celebrates online, acknowledging that he’s something more than human now.

To everyone else, it’s a desperate hunt for answers. To Chizmar, it’s more like destiny closing in. The evidence, the sightings, the voices in the dark all point to one unthinkable conclusion: the Boogeyman never left. And very soon, Chizmar must come face-to-face with the thing wearing Gallagher’s skin, and learns all too quickly that some nightmares don’t return—they evolve.

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[Beth]

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books, as well as the author, for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

#NetGalley #GalleryBooks #KillingtheBoogeyman #Thirdinaseries #RichardChizmar #Horror #Fiction #Books #Reading #BookReviews

Title: Killing the Boogeyman

Author: Richard Chizmar

Format: eBook

Publisher: Gallery Books

Publication Date: October 6, 2026

Rating: 5 Stars

Themes: Serial killer, faux true crime

Trigger Warnings: faux true crime, graphic violence, graphic gore, murder, death, suicide, sexual violence, off-page animal cruelty/death, psychological distress, necrophilia, cannibalism, cancer references

This book concludes “Finding the Boogeyman” by Richard Chizmar. Joshua Gallagher has escaped from prison and is on the loose once again. This book picks up right where the previous book leaves off. This new installment is written in the same format as the other two books. It includes social media posts and other mixed media sprinkled in with Richard’s first-person narrative. The best feature of this book, as well as the others in the series, is that it feels all too real. The author blends true crime and horror fiction flawlessly, and the result is this well-paced horror treat. The tension is just palpable, and the pacing is fast. It all leads to an ending that was crazy.

This final book was a perfect blend of horror, nostalgia, and true-crime obsession. Any horror fan and/or true crime fan simply must get into these. Watch out for some Stephen King easter eggs.

[Bethany Mock (bethanyburiedinbooks)]

4.5/5

Thank you @richard_chizmar #partner for the gifted copy of this book!

Killing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar is the third book in the Boogeyman series. Once again he delivers another seriously creepy and unsettling story that feels WAY too real. 😳 Lord have mercy, Richard…you DO have a way with your words that legitimately scares me. (AND I LOVE IT!) 😂 I’ve been super sick this past month and have basically been listening to books nonstop. This was the one book that actually made me pause my audiobook, take an AirPod out because I thought I heard someone. I got completely paranoid and then convinced myself the boogeyman was somewhere in my house. 🙃 So thank you Richard, for making me paranoid and truly scaring the bejeebies out of me. 😂👏🏻

The way Richard writes these stories is exactly what nails it for me. They feel so damn real. There’s something about the way he writes that gives me this 90s nostalgic feeling. It’s almost like I have read a news story or watched a mystery show for one of those serial killer or stalker unsolved mysteries. It feels realistic in a way that makes it so much creepier. I genuinely cannot decide which I like more…the first book or this one?! They were both SO damn good.

I really hope Richard continues writing books like these...or at least continues with this style because this is the kind of horror that gets me. I don’t need something completely outlandish to scare me. Give me something that feels like it could actually happen and that is when I get scared. If you haven’t started this series yet, spooky season is the perfect time. Richard absolutely nailed this one!

[Tiffany LeThriller]

Warning: Extremely chilling content that will send you into a panic. Get your Ativan ready.

Start from the very beginning. I'm going to be extremely vague because the more surprises - the scarier it will be.

Chasing the Boogeyman (Book 1) - Richard Chizmar shares the story of his local Boogeyman. The identity will blow you away. Be sure to read the Author's Note at the end.

Becoming the Boogeyman (Book 2) - We know who The Boogeyman is, and we get to truly know Richard, The Boogeyman, and their history. We also get familiar with Richard's family (btw, did you know his son is W.H. Chizmar? Also an incredible author). But I am a diehard Kara fan, and you will be too after reading this. The Boogeyman is up to his usual homicidal shenanigans, and it ends on a cliffhanger.

Killing the Boogeyman (Book 3) - The Boogeyman's reign of terror will have you sleeping with a light on, I promise you. Richard Chizmar has been the only author who has been able to consistently give me goosebumps while reading spooky scenes, and this book will have every hair on your body standing at attention. Killing the Boogeyman is masterfully written and cannot possibly be the end of this series 😭 we will find out...

[Bruce Lesley]

WOW! If you are already familar with this author then you don't need my recommendation, but I'll give it anyway, and the good news is that this third "Boogeyman" novel is the best yet, filled with plenty of action and fear nicely balanced with the protagonist's memories of childhood and regular daily family activities. And if you haven't read much Chizmar, like me, in my opinion Killing the Boogeyman can be read as a standalone story. OR, like I did, you can read all three books back-to-back as one giant 1,045 page trilogy novel, quite the unique reading experience, I couldn't put these books down so finished them over six days (and still had time to water our new grass seed, exercise, complete other household chores, and eat three meals a day). Did I already say I couldn't stop reading these stories? To conclude, this (these) book(s) are fast paced, interesting, well structured, with fanastic writing, and surprises throughout; plus at the end you will swear that the tales told here actually happened.

[Diane]

I really enjoyed the uniqueness of Killing the Boogeyman. Richard Chizmar once again does a great job blending fiction with a true-crime feel, creating a reading experience that feels different from your typical thriller. The inclusion of photos and other details adds to the realism and makes the story even more immersive.

I wouldn’t personally call this one particularly scary, though. It definitely has dark and creepy moments, but as someone who has read plenty of murder and serial killer stories, it takes a little more than the Boogeyman to give me chills. Horror is so subjective, though, so your experience may be completely different!

The pacing did slow down in a few places, but overall I stayed invested and enjoyed the ride. The concept alone makes this book stand out, and I appreciate Chizmar’s willingness to do something a little different. If you enjoyed Chasing the Boogeyman, I think this is a worthy follow-up and definitely worth the chase!

[Edith]

Either way, I was the one in control, and they wouldn’t know that until it was too late.”
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Happy Pub Day to Killing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar! Thank you so much for the ARC, I can’t wait for my copy to arrive to add it to my shelf. Have you ordered yours?🫣
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-My Thoughts:

The conclusion that will send chills down your spine. You won’t sleep without your light on the few nights after you finish it. I still haven’t recovered.

All that tension and suspense from the two books that lead to this one will have you on the edge of your seat.
The whole series is executed to top notch that includes images that will make it all so real. Did I mention chills? Just writing this review is giving me chills.

If you need the perfect trilogy for spooky season, you found the one. This is your sign to get in the loop and see what you’ve been missing, it’s a series you don’t want to miss.📚
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
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#thriller #horror #bookwormmama #killingtheboogeyman #truecrimefiction

[Mark]

Richard Chizmar is a terrific writer of horror, and I love the third in his BOOGEYMAN series, KILLING THE BOOGEYMAN. I don't want to give much away, but, while this is not his best in the series, it's still nail-bitingly fun. I read it in one sitting. The best aspect of these novels is the way in which he mixes the story with his family almost in docudrama style, including pictures that lend credulity to this Michael Meyers exploration, especially of his relationship with the killer, his fascination with him, and the parallels between himself and Joshua. It's almost as if he, himself, the author, fabricates the killer because of a dark side he is intent on avoiding. I suppose this works because the impossible story seems real, and not in a metafictional way--it's like we are reading the truth, and that makes this particular saga seem more true. The title would seem as if the trilogy ends the story, but I' hoping there are more of these. Read this one in one sitting.

[Tammy Hostottle]

Richard Chizmar delivers a masterclass in meta-fiction terror with Killing the Boogeyman. As the final chapter of his brilliant trilogy, this book completely delivers on the high-tension, true-crime-pastiche style that made the first two books so addictive.
The plot hits the ground running: notorious killer Joshua Gallagher escapes his maximum-security cell, leaving behind a chilling message, and a fresh wave of bodies begins appearing near the author’s real-world Maryland home. What follows is a relentless, pressure-cooked game of cat-and-mouse that takes place over just a few terrifying days.
What makes Chizmar’s writing so unique is how flawlessly he blurs the lines of reality
It is fast, deeply unsettling, and wraps up the trilogy in a incredibly satisfying way. If you love true crime podcasts, psychological thrillers, or classic horror, this is an absolute must-read. Just make sure to read Chasing and Becoming first to get the full, terrifying experience!