The novel explores the macabre fascination with true crime and the allure of evil, particularly in the age of instant information. Chizmar's own celebrity, stemming from his connection to Gallagher, highlights how our hunger for these stories can blur the lines between observer and participant.

Even decades later, the shadow of 'The Boogeyman' continues to haunt Chizmar and his community. The emergence of a copycat forces them to confront unresolved trauma and the realization that some wounds never truly heal.

The book grapples with the idea of identity, both of the victims and the perpetrator. As Chizmar becomes increasingly entangled in Gallagher's web, he begins to question his own role in this macabre narrative, blurring the line between the hunter and the hunted.