Chasing the Boogeyman (The Boogeyman Series)

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the murders began soon after his return, and when he wasn't writing fictional tales of horror, he became increasingly consumed with the real-life horror-mystery unfolding in his previously-idyllic small town, teaming up with his fiancée's childhood pal courtney; a working journalist unofficially investigating the case. You’ll find yourself having to remember that Chasing The Boogeyman is not a true crime novel. You’ll also find yourself feeling very nervous in the dark, as the this deeply immersive book reels you in and keeps you captivated until the very last word.” — Buzz If you like unshakably unsettling, striking original storytelling, and crimes that are almost true, this story is for you.” — The Lineup Although I’ve often thought about that moment over the years, I’ve never spoken or written about it until now.

Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar | Crime Fiction Lover Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar | Crime Fiction Lover

Neighborhood Watch groups are formed, curfews are made mandatory, and everyone is on high alert. Richard is right there in the center of it all as an aspiring writer and someone who is very familiar with the streets, passageways, and history of the town.In the summer of 1988, the mutilated bodies of several missing girls begin to turn up in a small Maryland town. The grisly evidence leads police to the terrifying assumption that a serial killer is on the loose in the quiet suburb. But soon a rumor begins to spread that the evil stalking local teens is not entirely human. Law enforcement, as well as members of the FBI are certain that the killer is a living, breathing madman—and he’s playing games with them. For a once peaceful community trapped in the depths of paranoia and suspicion, it feels like a nightmare that will never end. I recommend Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar to those readers who like excellently written books. … I recommend this novel to fans of true crime, to people who are encountering a reading slump, and readers of spine chillers and mystery books.” — Gobookmart

the Boogeyman | Book by Richard Chizmar | Official Becoming the Boogeyman | Book by Richard Chizmar | Official

His magazine “Cemetery Dance” is now in its 32nd year of publication, and he also co-wrote Gwendy’s Button Box, with his friend, Stephen King. Chasing the Boogeyman gives us a wonderful snapshot of a specific time and place, but it also tells of the loss of innocence of a small town. At one point, Richard even quotes Milton’s Paradise Lost. More than this, the book is Richard’s memoir – his own coming-of-age story about growing up in a working-class town in America. He pays homage to a simpler, more innocent time when children were still playing in the streets, adventurous and curious to explore. Richard is undeniably nostalgic about his childhood in Edgewood and this makes the town’s people, history and stories all the more engaging.I did like that he got to interview the killer in the end but even that left me wanting. There were questions he asked that the killer wouldn't answer but claimed he would at a later time. This led me to believe there would be a second interview but nope, the book ends, and we never do get those answers. Before arrival of Rich, three days ago, a 15 years old girl: Natasha Gallagher has been snatched from her bedroom in the middle of the night. He already knew the girl and her family who have been attending the same church with his family. Riveting. Chilling. Chasing the Boogeyman is an unflinching look at a real-life monster and the ordinary heroes obsessed with stopping him.” Chizmar does nonetheless go to great lengths to convince us of the reality of his imaginings. Included is a forward by the true crime specialist James Renner that compounds the fictional ruse, numerous interview transcriptions and staged photos of the principals of the case (actors, actually). There’s also, however, a lengthy afterward detailing the book’s fictional and non-fictional elements, so nobody can say Chizmar doesn’t play fair.