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.

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.

"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.

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!