[Review] — BECOMING THE BOOGEYMAN: A Compelling Yet Unnecessary Companion Sequel!

I’m back! Well, sort of—I am attempting to reignite my habit of writing reviews for this blog. Admittedly, I've been a bit of a recluse lately, but everything is all right—at least as good as it can be under the circumstances. For those who remember, last year I reviewed Richard Chizmar's gripping fictional true-crime thriller, Chasing the Boogeyman. I found it thoroughly engaging and ended up giving it a five-out-of-five-star rating. Since then, I dove into its sequel, BECOMING THE BOOGEYMAN, and I'd like to share my thoughts on it.

Back in the summer of 1988, a young (fictionalized) Richard Chizmar grappling with the terror unleashed by the notorious serial killer Joshua Gallagher, a figure dubbed “The Boogeyman” by the media. As Gallagher stalks his once-peaceful hometown in Maryland, Chizmar is thrust into a living nightmare that will haunt him for years to come. The sequel picks up the story in the present day, where much has changed for Chizmar. He now enjoys celebrity and notoriety as the only person that Gallagher, now incarcerated, will speak to—both on and off the record.

Chizmar believes that his visits to Gallagher serve a greater purpose, offering a public service by potentially uncovering the truth behind other nameless victims that Gallagher might confess to killing. This mission leads him down a dark path, entwined with a growing obsession that begins to take on a rhythm and routine. However, the stakes rise dramatically when a masked figure reminiscent of Gallagher’s past reign of terror appears, leaving chilling calling cards in front of Chizmar’s home. It becomes evident that there is a new player in this deadly game, with threads connecting back to the original Boogeyman.

As for the novel itself, I would categorize it as a "lackluster" sequel. While I appreciated certain elements, it falls a bit short of the high bar set by Chasing the Boogeyman. The pacing feels bogged down—at times, it felt drawn out, leading to moments where I lost interest. I had to push through sections that felt repetitive, laden with dialogue, and storylines that felt redundant and perhaps unnecessary for those familiar with the narrative. This made the story predictable and, at times, frustrating, as it seemed the author struggled with how to wrap things up, resulting in a drawn-out story that lingered too long. However, I must admit that the cliffhanger ending did catch me off guard; it was the highlight of the book and certainly piqued my curiosity for a potential third installment.

Overall, BECOMING THE BOOGEYMAN serves as a companion sequel—unnecessary but existing. Despite my critiques, I found it a decent follow-up, and I look forward to reading the third book whenever it is published. ╌★★★½✰

The hardcover, paperback, and Kindle are available for purchase on Amazon.com. As an Amazon affiliate, I will receive a small commission if you buy the book through the link above. All earnings will help to support future reviews.