Review: Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

The calm and quiet innocence of a small Maryland suburb is shattered when a series of young women are kidnapped, many times feet from the safety of their home. Their bodies are found shortly thereafter, mutilated. The innocence of the small town is shattered, quickly replaced with suspicion and paranoia. The killer is playing games, leaving behind clues to taunt law enforcement.

Richard Chizmar, recently graduated from college, returns home in the midst of his hometown's drama. Hoping to spend the time at home planning for his wedding and embarking upon his horror writing career, Richard instead finds himself involved in the case.

Rumors are spreading that the killer isn't human; is it possible for a real-life monster to exist undiscovered in such a close-knit town?

When I read this book a few months ago, I knew it had to be my first book review for Murder, Monsters & Mayhem. I have read books by this author before and I’m familiar with his writing genius. What I wasn’t prepared for, however, was how real this novel (yes, this is fiction!!) felt. I mean, I knew going in it was fiction, yet several times through the book I paused to confirm it. It reads SO much like a true crime book! It’s completely mind-blowing how Chizmar was able to pull this off so flawlessly.

Also, as an avid reader of horror, it takes a lot to scare me. Yet this book had me reading with the lights on! Could it be because it felt so real? That a real-life monster like this does exist? I’m not sure which it was, but this is hands-down one of my top reads of the year.

Highly, highly recommended.