This book was the perfect cozy mystery to not only disassociate from the world with (because goodness knows we all need that), but also exactly what I needed to pull me out of my reading slump! Now, did it take basically ALL SUMMER to finish? Yes. But I’d read it again in a heartbeat!

Plot/Pacing:
I think the book was structured really well. It was a pretty easy read, and I never felt rushed.

World-Building:
It felt realistic and nostalgic without being too heavy on the imagination. Honestly, it gave total Nancy Drew vibes, and I loved that!

Writing Style & Clarity:
Clear, concise, and overall well done. There was one small stumble—a phrase like “Come in on” instead of “Come on in”—but I just chuckled and kept it pushin’.

Character Depth:
He’s a pretty flat character, so there’s not a ton of depth. But to be fair, most detectives don’t get fleshed out until their junior book anyway.

From the description I expected more of an 80s colored book. The flashbacks and references felt just thrown in and never made me actually reminisce. The reason for the book seemed to be more for those points and not the actual mystery which was a bit of a let down and almost seemed a take off of Sam Spade movies.

I loved this book! It was so fun and nostalgic. I haven’t had this much fun reading a book in a while. The author executed this book perfectly. Between the mystery, suspense and all the 90s references, I was in my glory. I can’t recommend this book enough. I really hope the author continues with a series or just writes more books like these. I will be keeping him on my radar!

The pacing was great — it moved along nicely and kept me interested from the start. I liked the characters a lot and found myself rooting for them as the story unfolded. The writing flowed well and made it easy to stay engaged.

My only small complaint is that there were quite a few references I didn’t really understand, which sometimes pulled me out of the story a bit. It didn’t ruin the experience at all, but the confusion did slow me down here and there.

Overall, though, this was a fun and enjoyable read that I’m glad I picked up!

As a GenXers, this book made my should nostalgic for a time long gone. I was sucked in from the first page. Great quotes. Great vibes. Great story. Thank you for the opportunity to read this incredible arc.

I really wanted to love this one! I got 43 pages in and just couldn’t focus. Too many nostalgic references which usually I love but felt like they were thrown in just for the sake of it.

This was the first book that I've read from Steven Templar and I completely enjoyed the experience. Templar uses the aging mall as more than just a setting; it becomes a character with authentic 80s and 90s pop culture references. Beyond nostalgia, the mystery was genuinely engaging, offering enough twists to keep me guessing.

If you're searching for a cozy mystery that combines a whodunit with a journey through beloved pop culture, Killer Deals at Mayview Mall is an absolute must read.

Thank you to Mysterious Ink Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Steven Templar for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Killer Deals at Mayview Mall coming out June 3, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I’m obsessed with cozy mysteries. This book was definitely up my alley. I loved all the 90s references and nostalgia. I would definitely check out more books by this author!

A quick, fun read however it did seem a little underdeveloped and due to how short it was, some of the mini plots were very lacking. It was okay for what it is, but I probably wouldn’t buy it myself

Nostalgia buffs and those of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s will love the setting of this book. It really adds appeal and pace. The story itself is a good mystery to solve and the main character is one which will appeal to those who like their protagonists outside the usual mould. I found myself feeling very immersed in this and laughing out loud at some of the references to the past. A thoroughly enjoyable escape.

"Killer Deals At Mayview Mall" by Steven Templar is an absolute blast from the past and a must-read for anyone who revels in 80's and 90's fare. From the moment you dive in, you're transported back to a simpler time when the mall was the undisputed social hub, and the air hummed with the comforting scent of pretzels, popcorn, and yes, plenty of Aqua Net.

Templar perfectly captures nostalgic vibes for that era, weaving a modern, fun and engaging mystery around a former child star who's now a private investigator. Following Paul Washington, our PI through the fledgling Mayview Mall, where shenanigans are definitely afoot, feels like a delightful trip down memory lane. The author has clearly poured their love for this period into every page, with little winks, nods, and Easter eggs galore. Seriously, I found myself grinning constantly at the funny quotes and clever references that pepper almost every chapter.

If you're anything like me and happily OD on 80's and 90's pop culture, you will devour this book. It's a quick, fun read that perfectly encapsulates the magic of the mall's heyday with a great mystery to boot. And here's a pro-tip that takes the experience to another level: make sure to check out the recommended Spotify playlist from the book! It adds an extra layer of awesome, perfectly setting the mood and enhancing the nostalgic vibe. Killer Deals At Mayview Mall is pure, unadulterated fun, and I can't recommend it enough!

My Rating:
🍕 🍕🍕🍕.5 slices of Sbarro pizza
Thank you to NetGalley and Steven Templar for this advanced reader copy. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Publication Date June 3rd, 2025

I wanted to shake things up with my reads, and this looked like just the fit. This is jam-packed with 80's and 90's nostalgia, so if you want a walk down memory lane, this is great. However, if you take the nostalgia out, I feel like there wasn't much storyline. I found the "mystery" piece very slow going and unfortunately quite predictable.

What a trip down memory lane! Paul just stopped acting and has an obsession with 80-90s references. He decided to become a private detective and just got his first gig at Mayview mall in Detroit. Paul is trying to solve the case of multiple robberies.

Overall this was such a good read! As a 90s baby from metro Detroit, I really appreciated the 80s and 90s movie and music references. Plus, it was fun to have the setting be in a mall like where my friends and I always hung out growing up. It was a very cozy mystery that I really enjoyed. It was a little too cheesy at times, but overall, this was a really good book.

Mysterious Ink Publishing provided an early galley for review.

With a catchy title and a Day-Glo cover to match, I knew instantly that this novel was speaking directly to me. The 80's were my high school and college years, with much time in the latter part of the decade and the early part of the next spent browsing the windows of various malls. This spoke of "home" to my soul.

This is the first of Templar's novels that I have read (and most definitely it will not be my last - I am now a fan). Immediately, I fell into his stylistic approach and rhythms. The touches of musical elements and pop-culture references further fuel that nostalgic part of my brain. Not only do I know folks who drop pop-culture references all the time, I also happen to be one of them. And, of course, the metro Detroit references were pleasant as well for this transplant to that part of Michigan.

Overall, the story is moves at a nice pace. It features a distinct cast of characters to further flesh out the world which it looks like readers might just get a chance to revisit again down the line (can't wait). I found the novel to be an entertaining and fun read.