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Chasing the Boogeyman
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
The New York Times bestselling coauthor of Gwendy's Button Box brings his signature "thrilling, page-turning" (Michael Koryta, author of How It Happened) prose to this story of small-town evil that combines the storytelling of Stephen King with the true-crime suspense of Michelle McNamara. In the summer of 1988, the mutilated bodies of several missing girls begin to turn up in a small Maryland town. The grisly evidence leads police to the terrifying assumption that a serial killer is on the loose in the quiet suburb. But soon a rumor begins to spread that the evil stalking local teens is not entirely human. Law enforcement, as well as members of the FBI are certain that the killer is a living, breathing madman--and he's playing games with them. For a once peaceful community trapped in the depths of paranoia and suspicion, it feels like a nightmare that will never end. Recent college graduate Richard Chizmar returns to his hometown just as a curfew is enacted and a neighborhood watch is formed. In the midst of preparing for his wedding and embarking on a writing career, he soon finds himself thrust into the real-life horror story. Inspired by the terrifying events, Richard writes a personal account of the serial killer's reign of terror, unaware that these events will continue to haunt him for years to come. A clever, terrifying, and heartrending work of metafiction, Chasing the Boogeyman is the ultimate marriage between horror fiction and true crime. Chizmar's "brilliant...absolutely fascinating, totally compelling, and immediately poignant" (C.J. Tudor, New York Times bestselling author) writing is on full display in this truly unique novel that will haunt you long after you turn the final page.
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TheLudicReader
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

Could this be the book that finally breaks my interminable slump? I dunno. I read it over the course of two days. It‘s a novel that reads like true crime with the author recalling a string of murders which happened in his hometown the summer he was 23. I thought it was excellent and a total page turner and it‘s been a l-o-n-g time since I‘ve said that about a book.

catiewithac I sent you a little birthday gift but it will likely arrive a few days late. Happy pre- and belated birthday! 😂 😍 6mo
merelybookish Huzzah! Maybe it's all the 🌞 6mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 6mo
Crazeedi I hope your slump is over! Been there a few tines! 6mo
42 likes4 comments
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BookwormAHN
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

This is a fake true-crime memoir of Chizmar growing up during the Boogeyman killings. Loved it 🖤
#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 12mo
44 likes1 comment
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guinsgirlreads
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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@Maggie4483 What a wonderful #hhs package! 🤩 everything is amazing - from the wreath to the books to the chocolates, and etc etc! The makeup palette is 🔥!! I used it this morning ☺️. Thank you so so much and thank you @wanderinglynn for hosting! 🧡💛 #hauntedhollowswap

wanderinglynn Awesome! 👻🖤🎃🧡 13mo
Maggie4483 Yay! I‘m so glad you like it! 13mo
31 likes2 comments
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EadieB
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

#OutstandingOctober #BookSpinBingo #SeriesLove2023 #Friday27OctoberthruTuesday31
#ChasingTheBoogeyman #RichardChizmar

In the summer of 1988, the mutilated bodies of several missing girls turns up in a small Maryland town. A serial killer in on the loose in a quiet suburb. Richard Chizmar returns to his hometown just as a curfew is enacted and a neighborhood watch is formed.

EadieB Preparing for his wedding and embarking on a writing career, he soon finds himself thrust into a real-life horror story. Richard writes a personal account of the serial killer reign of terror, unaware that these events will continue to hound him for years to come. This is a clever, terrifying and heartrending work of metafiction. It is a marriage between horror fiction and true crime. 13mo
EadieB The fact that this is made-up fiction is very shocking but very unique. I loved this book and would like to thank Richard for this overwhelming experience. I will definitely be reading another book by him. 13mo
TheSpineView Well done! 13mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 13mo
Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 13mo
39 likes1 stack add5 comments
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TorieStorieS
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

I wasn‘t actually planning on re-reading this one, but I decided that I would best enjoy BECOMING THE BOOGEYMAN with it fresh in my mind! And though I did remember who is arrested in the 2019 portion, many of the details felt new to me and I greatly enjoyed the blend of fiction with fact in this true crime format that makes for a quick and genuinely thrilling read! Looking forward to seeing what will be covered in the next book!

Gissy Love that decoration (I don‘t know the correct name) it‘s so pretty 😍 13mo
TorieStorieS @Gissy Thanks!! This is my largest cloche and I love to style these wooden mushrooms throughout the year!!☺️ 13mo
55 likes1 stack add2 comments
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johncadams
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

Reminded me of In Cold Blood but written about Chizmar's hometown where he knew everyone involved personally.

#horror

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Buchbeeg
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. It for sure drags a bit for the first few chapters. I think I was about 20% in when I realized I suddenly really liked this story. A really unique read.

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RedCurly
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

My brother gave me this book and it was very very good! Until the last page I thought this is a true story. It was very exiting and sometimes very hard to read but I loved it.

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TamTracy
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

Started out slow and not very interesting. The author just told about his hometown. The story progresses as the girls go missing and it becomes much more exciting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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angel1
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

Finishing up my spooky reads with this 5⭐️ book!
Loved it and I kept wanting to Google it because he makes it seem so real!!😱

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SomedayAlmost
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

Clever, suspenseful horror fiction written in the style of true crime. Who Is the killer abducting teen girls & posing them in the quiet spots of the author‘s real, seemingly safe home town? The author wraps his own true story of life as a young writer living with his super nice parents into this eerie page-turner. True-crime-style photos of the fictional investigation add a fun touch. 5 stars. #serialkillers #TeamSlaughter #31by31 #scarathalon

Catsandbooks 🙌🏼👻🖤 2y
15 likes1 comment
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SomedayAlmost
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Enjoying this serial killer novel rolled into clever fiction in the style of true crime. The writing is so good that the murders of teenage girls in the writer‘s real small town seem believable. Great paired with apple cider donuts from the farm stand. But isn‘t everything? 12 hours In this one this week for #31by31 and #Scarathalon. #TeamSlaughter #serialkiller

Catsandbooks Fantastic! 🎃 2y
5feet.of.fury Cute settings! I love the mug! 2y
SomedayAlmost Thank you! 2y
19 likes3 comments
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kyraleseberg
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Impulse checkout at the library and I'm breezing through!

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Bigwig
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Mehso-so

Thanks to the review by @vivastory I gave this hybrid a try. I‘m glad I did. Chizmar tries something new by blending his real 1980s small town Maryland nostalgia with a fictional tale of serial murder (complete with convincing period-style photos). The characters are bland, even the nonfiction ones, but the mystery is very creepy. I wanted an innovative ending and was left dissatisfied, but overall this novel nails that special true-crime “feel.”

vivastory Yeah, this one left me wanting more. I saw recently he was working on a follow-up. I might be intrigued to read it just to wrap it up but I don't know if I will lol 2y
13 likes1 comment
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LoverOfLearning
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Ohhhh okay now this is my kinda spooky season story. 🌚👹🕴🏽

A small town being terrorized by a madman, a serial killer on the loose and he's only getting started.

A psychological crime thriller that will be nightmare inducing!

#LMPBC round 3

HeathHof Hey, I haven't recied a book for October yet. Have you sent it out? 2y
LoverOfLearning @HeathHof I am sorry! I starred too! I packaged it and then moved. I will send it your way asap. I just got my book this week too. 2y
45 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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KristiAhlers
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

I‘m really not sure how to categorize this read. Fiction meets true crime? Well, however you want to slot this it‘s a serious page turning read. Available free with the KU program. Worth the read I must say.

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rsteve388
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
Pickpick

#LMPBC Excellent Read!

This was a great read to get me out of my reading slump. I am glad I picked it up. Great mix of fact and fiction, a great metafiction book that uses the author as the main Character. Really well done.

LoverOfLearning I'm excited to read this! 2y
HeathHof Did Final Girls make it to you? 2y
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HeathHof 🙌 2y
HeathHof Hey Rachel, do you by chance have the tracking # for @LoverOfLearning book? I saw a package show up my usps informed delivery that should have arrived and now it's back in transit. 2y
rsteve388 Oooo I am in Ohio and the receipt is back in Colorado so I sadly don't have it on me. @HeathHof Sorry! 2y
rsteve388 I'll be home tomorrow and can get it to you. 2y
HeathHof That's understandable. 2y
rsteve388 Just kidding I do have it on me: here ya go: 9505 5123 7262 2228 7719 96 2y
HeathHof That tracking number showes delivered on 8.19 to Wilmington, IL 2y
rsteve388 Did I have the wrong address?! 2y
rsteve388 Oh shit I sent it back to @LoverOfLearning Shoot I messed up. 2y
HeathHof 😅 Oh dear. Lol I'm ok with it going on to the next person after me because it is a longer book and already so late in the month. @LoverOfLearning can send it back to you so we can get back on track. 2y
35 likes14 comments
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rsteve388
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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just reached the first 100 pages! Thoroughly loving this book. Richard Chizmar is a very engaging author. I hope I'll like the rest of this book and want to read more by this author. #LMPBC

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rsteve388
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Thank you so much! @TheBookHippie I appreciate the book and the cute tote bag! #LitsyLoveSummerSwap

TheBookHippie Gads there‘s two more things delivered!!! 2y
rsteve388 Wait what? I didn't get anything else..... But my mail has been slow so maybe I'll get it this week? 2y
TheBookHippie @rsteve388 I sent you something from Amazon. You can track the delivery with this link. https://a.co/d/4kZ2z5v 2y
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TheBookHippie @rsteve388 it says front door … oh no! 2y
rsteve388 @TheBookHippie Oh no I haven't seen it in the last two weeks.. someone probably picked it up... Bummer. That's rough. 2y
TheBookHippie @rsteve388 omg! I‘ll resend it how terrible. Same address? 2y
rsteve388 Same address and really no need I am okay. Really. I appreciate it though. 2y
TheBookHippie I reported it to Amazon as well check your email I sent you a pick of the door. 2y
TheBookHippie @rsteve388 so Amazon says they‘re replacing it for free will arrive by Wednesday 🤦🏻‍♀️ 2y
rsteve388 Free is good cool! 2y
rsteve388 @TheBookHippie Thank you so much! 2y
TheBookHippie @rsteve388 no problem I‘m so sorry. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻it arrives safely!! 2y
MaleficentBookDragon ❤️ that bag! 🐈‍⬛ 📖 🌸 2y
TheBookHippie SAYS PACKAGE ARRIVING between 4-8 pm!!!! TODAY!!!! @rsteve388 2y
rsteve388 @TheBookHippie I hope they get the right door. I wonder if they left it at the wrong before. 2y
38 likes16 comments
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Gizmo86
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Birthday book haul from mum- a great mix and cant wait to get started 😁 📙 📕 💖

jlhammar Chasing the Boogeyman is a fun one. Once I started I did not want to put it down. Enjoy! 2y
Clwojick Under the Whispering Door! 💙💙💙💙💙 2y
28 likes2 comments
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alecia3dixie
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Panpan

Thank God that's over.. I really should have DNFed this one. It was SO. BORING. It was like reading a Memoir on someone's life, with a tiny bit of crime splashed in there. It was so slow and I did not care at all. 1/5 stars

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OwenB
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

This was my first read of a true crime/fiction book. The author placed himself and his hometown as the backdrop for this story of a suspected serial killer living among the townspeople. A unique story that I‘d recommend. I really enjoyed it!

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LeahBergen
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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I was feeling the urge for a thriller and plucked this one off the shelves… and so far, so good. 👍

Thanks again for this birthday gift, @TrishB ! 😘😘

Cathythoughts Great picture! Sound good , stacked (edited) 3y
TrishB Glad you‘re enjoying it 👍🏻 3y
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Breanne1
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved this book. Written like true crime and utilizing true parts of the author‘s childhood and early 20s made this one of the most unique novels I‘ve read. Reminded me of True Crime by Knox which I really liked as well. Highly recommend! All the ⭐️s

BittersweetBooks Me too! Such a good one 👏 3y
18 likes1 comment
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NicoleCeBallos
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this! It's a fake true crime book that's full of staged pictures and "facts" but is also full of real things from the author's life. There's a serial killer terrorizing Richard's hometown and the cops can't catch the killer. Richard writes a book about the Boogeyman's victims and their families.

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BittersweetBooks
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Innocence, once lost, can never be regained. Darkness, once gazed upon, can never be lost 🌘

When a monster is finally caught against all odds, it feels like magic 🩸🧬⚖️

20 likes1 stack add
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jlhammar
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

Gripping true crime novel. Be sure to have a good stretch of reading time ahead of you when you start this one. You won‘t want to stop!

Smartypants Yes that was one I picked up in 2021. Great book! 3y
31 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Addison_Reads
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

Very interesting concept for a book. I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I started this, and to be honest, I hope true crime fiction becomes more popular because this was such a thrilling read.

It didn't have as many horror aspects as I thought it would, but it's definitely still a creepy read.

vivastory I haven't read the Chizmar yet, but the following is a great recent true crime fiction 3y
54 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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NikkiKey94
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

This is my first 5 🌟 book of 2022! I loved it! It was definitely an interesting concept being a novel but written as if it was true crime. I really enjoyed it and could not put it down!

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eanderson
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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October pick #12booksof2021 this book is fiction but written in the style of true crime. It was interesting and I enjoyed it! 😊

Andrew65 Looks great. 3y
43 likes1 comment
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Bookishlie
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

A solid 4 stars. It drags in a few places but he does a nice job with it - it feels real. The concept is novel and I didn‘t see the end coming! My first finished read of 2022. Thank you slow work night for allowing me to finish:)

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Bookishlie
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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My hold came through and so far this is AMAZING! I‘m on chapter 3 and it reads as good as “I”ll be gone in the dark”!

jlhammar Yes! Just ordered this one. Now I'm even more excited! 3y
18 likes1 comment
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amywithbooks
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Starting with this one from today's book haul!

14 likes1 stack add
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Leftcoastzen
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

Just the page turner I needed .It is as advertised a fictional work told in a true crime style.I know some people found the description of the small town the author actually lived in a bit long , I felt it really set the scene and captured the era well.Thanks to all the Littens that recommended it! #catsofLitsy

AmyG Your sweet cat ❤️ 3y
Leftcoastzen @AmyG That‘s Crosby sometimes called Tootie ! 3y
Soubhiville What a beautiful face! ❤️ 3y
Leftcoastzen @Soubhiville he thanks you! He‘s headed towards his 6th birthday but he acts like a kitten.Energy ball except when sleeping!😁 3y
sarahbarnes He‘s so cute! 😻 3y
68 likes5 comments
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AudiobookingWithLeah
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

4¼⭐
While I found this to be quite clever at times, it did have some moments that were slow, where the author went off-topic and just talked about the town and all its mundane happenings. Although, I‘m sure that some would find that actually makes for a better story. Either way…I wouldn‘t discourage anyone from giving this a try, you totally should just for its unique-ish storytelling style. ⬇⬇⬇

AudiobookingWithLeah There are accompanying pics with the audio, I‘m assuming the book has the pics as you go along with the reading of it, on audio there all just there together. So, I suggest not looking at them until after you finish listening, otherwise, the ending will be spoiled. The pics actually feel like real crime scene photos and they really bring the story to life. 3y
20 likes1 comment
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booklover3258
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/2s4TVtNz-oQ

Enjoy!

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MicheleinPhilly
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

Such a clever concept and really well done. I loved it. Thanks again @TrishB 😘

TrishB Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻 3y
45 likes1 comment
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eanderson
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved this book! I love that it‘s written in true crime fashion but is fictional. Thoroughly enjoyable and after the halfway mark I couldn‘t read it fast enough.
🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Lauranahe
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

This was so fun! It was written like it was a true crime book, complete with pics. Think Ann Rule, but fiction. And I thought I knew who the killer was, but I was wrong, and I loved that. Two thumbs up!

magyklyXdelish That looks fun! 3y
19 likes1 stack add1 comment
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eanderson
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Chasing the Boogyman with Rich while I get my MVASI infusion! 😀

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Lauranahe
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Here are some picks I‘m looking at for #lmpbc #round013. What do y‘all think??

MrsGagnonreads2024 All those look great and it looks like its just the two of us so do you want to do a different book each month or wait and see if another person joins? 3y
HWarren I am in! 3y
See All 7 Comments
Lauranahe We‘re group N 3y
Lauranahe Im going to go with the dead and the dark! 3y
HWarren Ok. Sorry new to this. I am going with Luna. 3y
16 likes7 comments
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BoleyBooks
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Happy Halloween Y‘all !! 😊 #boleybooks #bookbeast #happyhalloween🎃

45 likes1 comment
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BookwormAHN
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Thank you so much Amy @AmyG I love everything. I am really looking forward to reading those books and that bookmark is so cool. The socks are adorable. I love the Overlook mug and the notebook is awesome. Love the Twix and the cute pumpkin box. Thanks again 🎃
Druzy however just wants me to move everything so she can to go to sleep 😸
#HauntedHollowSwap #HHS @wanderinglynn

wanderinglynn Is that a Ouija board notebook?! How cool! Great box 🧡🎃 3y
LeahBergen Love the notebook! 3y
BookwormAHN @wanderinglynn It is and it is really cute 💜 3y
AmyG Always fun to shop for you!!! Happy Halloween, my friend. 😘 3y
BookwormAHN @AmyG Happy Halloween 🎃 3y
74 likes5 comments
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LeahBergen
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Eee! Thank you so much for this wonderful birthday book, @TrishB !!! 😘😘😘

I‘ve been so looking forward to reading this, especially after your wonderful review. Thanks for brightening my day with a boogeyman! 😆

Chrissyreadit Happy Birthday!🎁🎉🎊📚😘🎉 3y
LeahBergen @Chrissyreadit Thanks, Christina! 😘😘 3y
tenar I‘m delighted to see that we have close birthdays in addition to both being Leahs! I hope your day is absolutely marvelous! 🥳 3y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🎉🎉🎉 3y
Cathythoughts Oh this looks good 👍🏻😳 3y
TrishB Woohoo 🎉🎉 happy birthday. Was keeping my fingers crossed you hadn‘t brought yet! 3y
LeslieO Happy birthday! 🎂❤️🧁🥂 3y
DebinHawaii This sounds like a great book! The happiest of birthdays to you from Max🐱 and me! 🎉🎂🎈❤️ 3y
erzascarletbookgasm I almost ordered this one 😅. I‘m sorry my BD order did not arrive on time. 🤞 very soon. Happy Birthday! 3y
LeahBergen @tenar Thank you! 😘 And we‘re almost like twins! 🤣 3y
LeahBergen @Cathythoughts It does, doesn‘t it?? 3y
LeahBergen @TrishB I‘ve been behaving myself around my birthday and the Halloween swaps. 😆 Thanks so much again! 😘 3y
LeahBergen @LeslieO Thanks, Leslie! 😘 3y
LeahBergen @DebinHawaii Thank you to both you and Max! 😘😘 3y
LeahBergen @erzascarletbookgasm 😆 That‘s the trouble with these TBR lists! And no worries; I‘ll love whatever you sent when it gets here! 😘😘 3y
batsy Oooh this sounds proper scary! And nice spooky cover. 3y
BiblioLitten Happiest birthday wishes to you, Leah 🎉💕 3y
LeahBergen @batsy I‘m so looking forward to it! 3y
LeahBergen @BiblioLitten Thanks so much! 😘😘 3y
britt_brooke Happy birthday, Leah❣️ 3y
LeahBergen @britt_brooke Thank you! 😘😘 3y
Suet624 Happy belated birthday!! 💕💕 3y
76 likes22 comments
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KimM
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick

Meta fiction heavily influenced by Steven King and Michelle McNamara. For fans of true crime.

13 likes1 stack add
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LaceyDoesLit
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Pickpick
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eanderson
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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My hold came in from the library and it‘s game day. So I‘m excited to start Chasing the Boogeyman 😁

TrishB Enjoy 👍🏻 3y
JamieArc I hate that we can‘t zoom in on photos! Is that U of M playing? 3y
eanderson @JamieArc it sure is! 😋 3y
AmyK1 That game is on at my house too! 😂 3y
35 likes4 comments
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Tera0707
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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Mehso-so

Unpopular opinion, but I found the majority of this boring. There were some good parts, but I feel like there was so much unnecessary info-dump that I ended up skimming those parts. There was one part that gave me the creeps but that was it. Giving a so-so for that creepy part, the parts about the victims (morbid?) and the chapter with the interview with the Boogeyman.

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aperfectmjk
Chasing the Boogeyman | Richard Chizmar
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TheSpineView Looks good! 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
31 likes2 comments