Where Is The Love? Review of W.H. Chizmar’s Them

Author Under Review:Them. W.H. Chizmar. Gallery Books, August 2026. Having read Them, the debut novel from W.H. Chizmar, it’s not hard to discern that one of Chizmar’s favourite authors is Stephen King. It makes sense: his father, Richard Chizmar, not only co-authored a book with King, but founded Cemetery Dance, a horror magazine that has worked closely with King and has published him many times since the 1980s. Them is dripping with King’s influence. Unfortunately, the book suffers a little from this. At times it feels like Chizmar the younger is paying homage to King so much he almost forgets to write his own book. And I don’t say this as someone who doesn’t like Stephen King; indeed, I’m a huge fan myself. I’ve read every single one of his novels, novellas, short stories, nonfiction books. If King has written it, I’ve read it. As such, you’d think I’d adore Them, being as it is a living tribute to the man. And whilst I did enjoy it, particularly the theme of love that pervades the…