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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed the first book in this series (I gave it 4⭐️ when I reread it recently), and was interested in seeing where a sequel would take this story and these characters. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect going in, but this book far surpassed the hopes that I had.
I think this second book did an even better job of mixing the nonfiction/history parts with the fictional story. It didn’t feel bogged down as I felt it sometimes did in the first book. I also really like this style of writing that makes Chizmar’s life apart of the story, and how he blends himself in with the fiction so seamlessly.
I was so invested in the mystery that was unfolding in this book. I won’t say much for spoiler’s sake, but I liked that the stakes were higher, the drama felt turned up a few notches, and the creepiness and suspense held tight to my attention.
THE ENDING! I gasped and bolted upright, scrambling to turn the page, only to find it’s the end of the book?! To say this ended on a cliffhanger would be an absolute understatement, and I cannot wait for book #3.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the advance copy.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Book 52 of 2023
#becomingtheboogeyman by @richard_chizmar This is a sequel to Chizmar’s “Chasing the Boogeyman” and it is just as creepy. I normally am not one that gets weirded out by a book, but this one does it.
It continues the story of the Boogeyman told in Chizmar’s voice about growing up with a serial killer.
Some of this story seems so real, it really makes you think that maybe it did happen and you just haven’t heard about it. It has photos of victims and locations to give you a feel for the town of Edgewood.
This book has a fantastic ending-will there be more Boogeyman? It is wide open!
Thank you to @netgalley for the advance copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Gore, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Cannibalism, Murder
Becoming the Boogeyman is the much-anticipated sequel to Chasing the Boogeyman. This story picks up a few years after Chasing and Chizmar finds himself in the middle of a murder spree of a copycat killer but these murders have hit close to home…literally. Chizmar must help the police solve the crime before he is the next victim.
I loved this sequel! Chizmar writes a thriller that makes you feel like reading a true crime novel. The use of message board posts, social media posts, and a memoir written by the author gives this novel a very real feeling. As I was reading, I was getting a little nervous that the ending was going to go a very different way but I was glad to be wrong. The ending was a great open-ended surprise. I highly recommend reading Chasing the Boogeyman first so you get a full grasp on the characters and why everything happens as it does.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed Chasing the Boogeyman when I read it 2 years ago so I immediately jumped at the chance to read its sequel. When reviewing sequels, I like to make a point to state whether I feel you need to have read the first book. In this case I do feel it is necessary to read Chasing the Boogeyman immediately prior to starting Becoming the Boogeyman.
This book started out pretty strong but I think it was just drug out too long. The pacing is weird. Every so often there'd be an 'excerpt' from a book about Edgewood that was mostly irrelevant. There are a lot of characters you're supposed to just know (or remember) and a few times I went back several pages to see if I somehow missed a section. Having finished the book, I still have questions about some of the details. Nothing was really explained fully and this whole book was just a set up for a third boogeyman book.
Also, I realize that Richard Chizmar and Stephen King know each other in real life, but did he lose a bet or something? He name drops King so often in this book that it gives off creepy fanboy vibes.
This book started out pretty strong but I think it was just drug out too long. The pacing is weird. Every so often there'd be an 'excerpt' from a book about Edgewood that was mostly irrelevant. There are a lot of characters you're supposed to just know (or remember) and a few times I went back several pages to see if I somehow missed a section. Having finished the book, I still have questions about some of the details. Nothing was really explained fully and this whole book was just a set up for a third boogeyman book.
Also, I realize that Richard Chizmar and Stephen King know each other in real life, but did he lose a bet or something? He name drops King so often in this book that it gives off creepy fanboy vibes.
Even though this book was fictional, it felt just like my favorite true crime podcast. The author’s style of writing felt original and exciting. I personally loved the inserts of conversations, reviews, texts, and photos. It felt like I was also in the middle of the investigation. It was incredibly creepy and made me feel like I should be a bit more cautious as a young female.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves true crime! You’re in for a treat with this one. The publication is also in October so it’s a perfect read for spooky season!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves true crime! You’re in for a treat with this one. The publication is also in October so it’s a perfect read for spooky season!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
A great sequel- enjoyed it even a little more than the first book b/c it had more action & suspense (felt more like a thriller); slow at times & then an addictive page-turner at other times; love the continued method of portraying the story as non-fiction/true crime & it's done so well
Such a unique book/series; can't wait for the next installment!
Special thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Such a unique book/series; can't wait for the next installment!
Special thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!