barnes_and_noel 's review for:

Becoming the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

5.0

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

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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.