Book review by Corey
Chasing the Boogeyman
Chasing the Boogeyman is a fictional serial-killer story written to feel like a true-crime memoir. Richard Chizmar puts a version of himself into the story, returning to his hometown of Edgewood, Maryland, just as teenage girls begin disappearing and turning up murdered. The town slowly becomes consumed by fear, suspicion, and the feeling that the killer could be someone everyone already knows.
What makes the book stand out is how convincing the format is. The photographs, small-town details, and first-person narration make it feel like you are reading about a real case, even though the murders themselves are fictional. It is creepy without relying on nonstop violence, and the slow build of paranoia gives the story a lot of its tension.
The Goods
- Very convincing true-crime style
- Strong small-town atmosphere
- Creepy without overdoing the gore
- The photographs add a lot of realism
- Good slow-building suspense
The Bads
- The beginning takes a little time
- Some readers may guess the killer early
- Not as action-heavy as a typical thriller
- A few sections focus heavily on town history
- The true-crime format may not work for everyone
My Recommendation
This is a great choice for readers who like serial-killer stories, true crime, and horror that feels disturbingly real. The fake memoir style is the biggest reason the book works so well, because it constantly makes you forget that the case is fictional. If you enjoy slow-building suspense, small-town paranoia, and mysteries that focus more on atmosphere and investigation than nonstop action, Chasing the Boogeyman is definitely worth reading.