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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3 stars -
I've seen a few people say that this has a 5 star idea but a 2 star plot, and I think I mostly agree with that statement. The idea behind this was genius - a "true crime" book that is based on a fictitious crime but with real characters and relationships - but it fell flat for me. I was super invested in the murders, but they're really only about a fourth of the story, as the author delves a lot more into his family, his childhood, and growing up in this small town where the murders take place. As a reader, you don't really get much resolution of the case until the last 20 pages, and even then, the resolution just felt kind of underwhelming. I did enjoy the writing, so I would be interested in something else by this author - but this one did not do it for me.
I've seen a few people say that this has a 5 star idea but a 2 star plot, and I think I mostly agree with that statement. The idea behind this was genius - a "true crime" book that is based on a fictitious crime but with real characters and relationships - but it fell flat for me. I was super invested in the murders, but they're really only about a fourth of the story, as the author delves a lot more into his family, his childhood, and growing up in this small town where the murders take place. As a reader, you don't really get much resolution of the case until the last 20 pages, and even then, the resolution just felt kind of underwhelming. I did enjoy the writing, so I would be interested in something else by this author - but this one did not do it for me.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
As a lover of true crime, I have to say this “mock” true crime meta-story was just absolutely incredible. I cannot wait for the sequel. It truly felt like I was reading a man’s story living in a small town during a string of awful murders of young girls. I really cared about all these characters and sometimes forgot that I was reading a fiction novel.
This is great for anyone who likes true crime
This is great for anyone who likes true crime
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow. This book was so good I practically devoured it. I usually pride myself in guessing a culprit before the plot twist is even revealed. The author got me good, I did not even expect the killer once. Knowing there is a sequel I have questions that I hoped will be answered. As the book came to a close I found myself disappointed that it isn't a real story (this is a work of meta-fiction with the only real info coming from a smaller crime and the authors child/experiences in his hometown). I was disappointed that I could not go down a rabbit hole of the history and the murderer. In that disappointment, I felt a part of the shame of sensationalized true crime. I do think my belief that the story was real is also a testament to just how good Richard’s writing is and how his expert intertwining of his real life truth made the whole thing feel so real.
Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar is a slow burn fictionalized true crime about a series of gruesome murders taking place in the late 1980s. Rich Chizmar is an aspiring horror writer who recently graduated from college and has moved back to his family home in suburban Maryland. Around the same time he arrives in his small home town, a murderer begins targeting local teenage girls. It took me a little while to get into the story, as Chizmar sets the stage, painting an atmospheric portrait of his town, Edgewood. Rich begins investigating the crimes with his friend who is a newspaper reporter and working loosely with the police. I really liked the small town, late 1980s as a setting as it shows that shattering of innocence and shift to unease and distrust of neighbors. It also coincides with the “Satanic Panic” of that same time period. The novel is very well-crafted and atmospheric. I found it reminiscent of Stephen King or Marisha Pessl’s ‘Nightfilm.’ As the plot advances and we’re given more clues, I found I could not stop reading this one. Chizmar does a wonderful job of building tension and intrigue. A fascinating foray into an untrue crime story.
Thank you Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC.
Thank you Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC.
