Book Review-Bogeyman: He Was Every Parent's Nightmare-Steve Jackson | Miki's Hope

Book Review-Bogeyman: He Was Every Parent's Nightmare-Steve Jackson

Monday, September 15, 2014


I almost never read non fiction. I made an exception with this book. I can honestly say this "true story" disturbed me more then any fictional murder mystery I have ever read. It is the story of a psychotic madman-one who enjoys abducting young girls, abusing then killing them. Thankfully the author did not go into details. This is mostly the story of the police officers who would not give up until this murderer was caught and behind bars for life. Some of the officers lives were ruined because they could not get it out of their heads. There are good police officers out there-those that will pursue a "cold case" until it is solved and the families given some kind of closure.

About the Book: (from the back of the book)

"For years he's stalked elementary schools and playgrounds looking for young girls from low-income neighborhoods to abduct, rape and murder. He thought of them as "throwaway kids"--hardly missed, and soon forgotten, execept by those who loved them. He was every parent's worst nightmare. The bogeyman they warned their children about...the fiend who lurked in the shadows outside of bedroom windows."

A SceneBooks original true crime story from the New York Times bestselling author of Monster and No Stone Unturned, describing in dramatic detail and with heart-rending poignancy the efforts of tenacious Texas lawmen to solve the cold case murders of three little girls and hold their killer accountable for his horrific crimes.

Read a couple of chapters here

Purchase the book here

About the Author: (from Amazon)


Best-selling and award-winning author and journalist Steve Jackson lives and works in the mountains of Colorado. Born in Bethesda Naval Hospital in 1955, he grew up in Hawaii and Colorado. He graduated in 1979 from Colorado State University with a BA in Journalism.

A newspaper journalist for 25 years, he worked in locales as varied as Montana, Hawaii, Guam, Micronesia, Indonesia, Indiana, Washington D.C., Florida, Oregon and Colorado. During his career with newspapers, he received numerous national and regional awards for feature writing and investigative reporting.

As of August 2014, he has written nine non-fiction books in true crime, history and biography genres. His first non-fiction book, Monster, a true crime, was published in October 1998 and within two weeks became a NYTimes bestseller. In 2003, his World War II dramatic narrative, Lucky Lady, received The Colorado Book Award, best biography/history, from the Colorado Center for the Book; Lucky Lady was also the runner-up that year for the Admiral Samuel Morrison Naval History Award.

Just released on August 5, 2014 is his latest true crime, BOGEYMAN, the story of the manhunt for one of America's worst child serial killers and the tenacious Texas lawmen who brought him to justice.

He's also written eleven crime thrillers in collaboration with former New York City assistant district attorney Robert K. Tanenbaum.

In June 2013, Jackson joined a forensic investigative team searching for the remains of the Grand Duke Mikhail Romanov in Perm, Russia as part of his research for an upcoming dramatic history FINDING ANASTASIA. The team will be returning to Russia in June 2014 to resume the search.

Outside of writing, his interests include backpacking, fly fishing, skiing, guitar, reading, softball, music, wine, beer and spending time with his family and friends.


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I received a paperback edition of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

24 comments :

Unknown said...

While I think there is definitely a place for these kind of books, it is not on my bookshelf - I can't handle the subject matter! Kudos to the author for doing it justice!

Jenn said...

This is one I could not read myself. As a mom it would just tear me up. I know what it out there and always fear for the safety of my kids and this I think would just make me paranoid.

Literary Winner said...

I LOVE true crime! I am going to try and get this book!

Maria said...

Sounds great! I love true crime series! It puts me right there in the storyline.

Czjai said...

Interesting read! Some may find it weird, but I gobble up non-fiction books like these. :)

The AnnMarie John said...

I'm like you. I almost can't ever read non-fiction as well although I can probably read this one. I like looking at them on TV and watching and reading is almost like the same thing.

Anonymous said...

It was everyone's nightmare..LOL!

Rebecca said...

Ok this books sounds good but creepy. You have me interested.

Danielle S said...

I don't think this is a book I would like to read. When my kids were young, we actually had creeps come up to us and offer us money for our kids. They were sick!

mail4rosey said...

I'm glad there are officers like that, though I can see how that kind of work would take its toll. God Bless the ones who do it.

Christy Maurer said...

It's so sad that true life can be scarier than fiction. Those poor families. I'm thankful for those who fight to find these psychos.

Unknown said...

I still use the bogeyman tactic.. lol i would probably enjoy this book.

ReviewsSheRote said...

I think it sounds a lot like a CSI and Criminal Minds cross over plot line--I think the fact that its true would make it hard to read without tears....but it sounds intriguing!

Uplifting Families said...

This sounds like a tough subject to write about. I enjoy these types of reads so that I understand the criminal process and mind. Thank you for sharing.

Rebecca Swenor said...

I love true crime stories maybe because I always wanted to be a detective when I was younger. I will have to check this book and his others out. Thanks for sharing.

StacieinAtlanta said...

I really enjoy this genre. I love a good mystery and really tend to read the majority of my books lately in mysteries.

Stefany T said...

Oh boy. I am not sure I could read this one. I know someone who would love it though so I will share with her!

Theresa Mahoney said...

As a mama of two girls, this is the type of story I just can't read. Actually, any story about child abuse or murder does not sit well with me. The last one I read was A Child Called It and that one did not leave me for years. I still get sad thinking about that story from time to time.

Kero Pinkihan said...

I can't say I'm a fan of the theme but these kinds of book are needed for us to be reminded we should always be on guard. To never be complacent because most often, truth is stranger than fiction.

Fathima Syed Ali said...

I like fiction stories. But it is very shocking to know that, it is a real story of a psychotic man abducting and abusing poor girls. God has to protect everyone from this kind of psychotic mad people.

Liz Mays said...

I tend to go with fiction too, but this does sound pretty interesting. I appreciate the grisly details aren't included either.

Anonymous said...

My hubby reads books like this, they are a little too much for me. I'll have to ask him if he's heard of this one.

Unknown said...

I've added this as a potential read on goodreads. We'll see how the reviews continue to look! THanks for the intro!

Unknown said...

This looks and sounds like a great book. I am going to have to add it to my must read list.

 
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