Killing the Boogeyman
the final standalone book in the bestselling horror trilogy
Richard Chizmar(Author)
Hodder & Stoughton (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 8. October 2026
Book
Hardback
336 pages
978-1-3997-4724-0 (ISBN)
Description
Notorious serial killer Joshua Gallagher - dubbed "the Boogeyman" by the media - has vanished from prison. One moment, he was locked inside a maximum-security cell; the next, he was gone, leaving behind on the wall a crude hangman puzzle and two chilling words: IT'S TIME.
Now, days later, the world is coming apart again. Bodies are turning up near writer and Gallagher confidante Richard Chizmar's home, echoing the Boogeyman's signature horrors. The news frenzy reignites while the police chase shadows ... even as Gallagher's twisted true crime fanbase celebrates online, acknowledging that he's something more than human now.
To everyone else, it's a desperate hunt for answers. To Chizmar, it's more like destiny closing in. The evidence, the sightings, the voices in the dark all point to one unthinkable conclusion: the Boogeyman never left. And very soon, Chizmar must come face-to-face with the thing wearing Gallagher's skin, and learns all too quickly that some nightmares don't return - they evolve.
Now, days later, the world is coming apart again. Bodies are turning up near writer and Gallagher confidante Richard Chizmar's home, echoing the Boogeyman's signature horrors. The news frenzy reignites while the police chase shadows ... even as Gallagher's twisted true crime fanbase celebrates online, acknowledging that he's something more than human now.
To everyone else, it's a desperate hunt for answers. To Chizmar, it's more like destiny closing in. The evidence, the sightings, the voices in the dark all point to one unthinkable conclusion: the Boogeyman never left. And very soon, Chizmar must come face-to-face with the thing wearing Gallagher's skin, and learns all too quickly that some nightmares don't return - they evolve.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
N/A
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-3997-4724-0 (9781399747240)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
approx. 10/2026
Hodder & Stoughton
€16.99
Not yet available
Person
RICHARD CHIZMAR is the co-author (with Stephen King) of the New York Times bestsellers Gwendy's Button Box and Gwendy's Final Task, and the author of the solo work Gwendy's Magic Feather.
His novels Chasing the Boogeyman and Becoming the Boogeyman received excellent reviews - as Stephen King says: 'Genuinely chilling and something brand new and exciting.'
Chizmar's short fiction has appeared in dozens of publications including Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. He has won two World Fantasy Awards, four international Horror Guild Awards, and the HWA's Board of Trustee's Award.
His novels Chasing the Boogeyman and Becoming the Boogeyman received excellent reviews - as Stephen King says: 'Genuinely chilling and something brand new and exciting.'
Chizmar's short fiction has appeared in dozens of publications including Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. He has won two World Fantasy Awards, four international Horror Guild Awards, and the HWA's Board of Trustee's Award.