Chasing the Boogeyman - Richard Chizmar's Evocative Crime Novel
I received this awesome hardcover in my August 2021 "Small Town Scares" Night Worms package (with signed bookplate). I went into it blind, but was aware of its true-crime status.
Richard Chizmar has the same magic in his writing that Stephen King possesses. I guess that's probably why they like to work together. Some authors write and paint you a picture to look at, while those of the Chizmar and King variety paint the picture and stick you in it to live it, much akin to the scenario in Roald Dahl's The Witches. In conclusion, they must be witches! If so, I want to join their coven.
Now, with this book, I was so incredibly absorbed by Richard Chizmar's personal experiences with this small-town serial killer. I became attached to Richard's family members, wife, and friends, like I was watching a documentary about his life. I didn't want to put it down. When real life obligations forced me to close it temporarily, I was still always thinking about it. This story is written in a way that one wants every true crime documentary to be presented. It has pictures of all the most relevant places, people, and things. I stared at them and tried to 'feel' them out when I read each chapter. There are ups, downs, fears, discomfort, and so much heart.
Then I got to the Author's Note at the end of the book and felt like I was Charlie Brown and Richard Chizmar was Lucy with the football. In this case, the football being the details, facts, and the execution of this wicked book. When I thought I would kick it out of the park and revel in the joy of completing such a satisfying book, I was left spinning into the atmosphere - stunned.
This jarring feeling made the book even BETTER. I wanted to shake Richard Chizmar's hand and wag my finger at him all at the same time.
You're going to *love* this. Chizmar's enchanting abilities will hook you and draw you under the surface until he decides to let you go, and then you'll realize you've just been comfortably on the beach the whole time with a book in your hand.
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