Maniac Mall

by Christopher Robertson

Genres: Horror

191 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 1, 2026

About the author

Christopher Robertson writes cinematic pulp fiction that's often described as both wholesome and gruesome, sometimes in the same sentence. He won both the Gold award for Best Novel and Silver for Best Audiobook at the 2023 Godless 666 Awards.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be one of the chosen ones to be selected to read this coveted ARC, written by Christopher Robertson (truth is I begged and he felt bad, lol).

In all seriousness, Maniac Mall was a trip to a nostalgic 90's mall from my adolescence, but make it "splatter punk."
Think, "I'm going to Hot Topic to spend my allowance, get some Chik Fil A, and then stop by Blockbuster to rent Mall Rats and I Know What You Did Last Summer."

Maniac Mall takes place in 1995 at a post graduation party at the construction site of The West Campbell Mall. A group of friends/acquaintances are having a good time, until tragedy strikes. Fast forward a year to the opening of The West Campbell Mall. Promise of an economic gift for the town, is overshadowed by the dark presence of vengeful, murderous "Plastic Face." Those directly involved in the tragedy from the year prior fight to stay alive in this "mall madness."

The kill scenes were very original and at times made me cringe (it builds character, right?). Warning! Beloved childhood toys were used/harmed.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Maniac Mall because it was spot on with what I remembered about growing up in mall culture in Youngstown, Ohio in the mid-late 90's (Southern Park), as well as, the body horror.
P.S.
I really hope there's a Playlist for Maniac Mall in the works

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars

Thanks to the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've been a fan of Christopher Robertson's extreme horror novels for a while now - not only are they vulgar and gory with moments of dark humor, but I've always really enjoyed the characters he creates and the stories they tell. I'm also a fan of the nostalgia he includes, particularly in this one with all of the 90s references. I also appreciated the easter eggs to previous novels - it's always fun to see how each novel has connections to the previous ones.

Maniac Mall was actually a lot darker than I was expecting, other than the usual violence and gore. It was actually almost like a grief horror novel. I feel that the violence in this novella was a great representation of the pain our MCs were feeling. For a while, I wasn't sure where the story was going, but by the end I was once again blown away by the emotions I felt, especially from an author who usually has a goofier, lighthearted version of extreme horror.

Christopher mentioned in his author's note that he drew inspiration from the Final Destination and I Know What You Did Last Summer movies. I feel like I was also getting Scream vibes, along with Carrie and Hell House LLC.

If you're a fan of extreme horror/splatterpunk, definitely check this one out! And the author's other books as well!

[Crystal Gritzmacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something ridiculously fun about a ’90s slasher set in a mall and Robertson absolutely delivers!

The story kicks off on graduation night in 1995, when a group of friends gather at the unfinished West Campbell Mall to celebrate, share their hopes for the future, and make some memories. Instead, tragedy strikes. The truth gets buried, the group falls apart, and everyone tries to move on. Until a year later, when the mall finally opens and they’re drawn back to the place they thought they’d left behind.

From there, things get bloody.

The story pulled me in, the kills were creative, and the mannequins were creepy as hell in exactly the way I wanted them to be. There’s a great nostalgic ’90s atmosphere throughout, but it still feels like its own story rather than simply trying to recreate a classic slasher.

It did take me a minute to straighten out all the characters in the beginning, but once I had everyone sorted out, I flew through it. Between the mall setting, buried secrets, old friendships, and some seriously unsettling mannequins, this was just a fantastic fun horror read.

If you’re a fan of slashers, ’90s nostalgia, and creepy mannequins, definitely add this one to your list. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you Christopher Robertson for the e-ARC.

[Vix Silverleaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retro slasher with tons of great ’90s references, which is one of my favorite things about this author and how well he paints the decade he is writing about. Jolt Cola, Furbies, even *Goosebumps* made an appearance.

*I Know What You Did Last Summer* vibes and *Final Destination*? Check.
Immediate gore? Check.

The references to other books were really cool. I had actually completed a good chunk of his library prior to this, so seeing those references made me squeal. Hellfyre rocks!

*A student dies. The truth is buried. The class moves on. However, someone doesn't forget.*

Or is Bryon simply back from the dead for the grand opening, hungry for blood and early-bird discounts?

I quite enjoyed the kills, and each one was unique.

The ending was a gut punch. I didn't see it coming, and honestly, it was sad.

**10/10.**

[Pulp_Fiction_Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a handful of new-release, hyped Slashers this summer and they have ranged from poor, through underwhelming to average at best. This however has what all of them were missing. Characters that feel fleshed out and you're actually invested in, kills that are fun and inventive and a well told story that's laid out in a fresh, original manner. Also who doesn't find mannequins freaky! I have to say I wasn't 100% behind the killer reveal and the direction that took (that's absolutely just a personal thing on me btw) but that said the third act was a unique, chaotic romp! There's also some fun easter eggs relating to Christopher Robertson's other works, especially in my case to 'The Cotton Candy Massacre' and 'Sewer Sharks' which are two of my favourite novels of all-time.

Thank you so much to @kit_romero for providing me with an eArc of this in return for an honest review.

[chlos_booknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Received an ARC from the author✨

Thank you so much to Christopher for sending me an ARC of Maniac Mall, it was such an enjoyable read and has definitely made me want to rewatch I Know What You Did Last Summer

If you're a fan of slashers this book will be up your street! It gave me Fear Street vibes, which I loved, and the jump to found footage was really interesting! I've never read found footage before and it worked really well with the story!

I don't know if I was vibing with the 3rd person perspective, but that might just be me as I've never really been a fan of it, I would have liked it to have been the perspective of the characters but as I said that's just on me not liking 3rd person

Overall the book was so good! The story was well written and I loved the characters, the deaths were fun and I can see myself reading more of Christopher's books in the future!

[Jered · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you been craving a 90's nostalgia slasher? Do you like mannequins? Furbys? Fried chicken? I have just the book for you!

As always with Christopher Robertson's work, I loved this. I don't often find books that make me feel the same way I did when I watched 90s slasher movies like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, but this managed to feel that way.

I really enjoy that he slips references to his other books in most of his stories. if you decide to read this (which you should), you should tell me how many you find.

Thanks again to Christopher Robertson for the eARC, I am always so happy to be given the opportunity to give an early review. Keep up the good work.

[Shayla Sherwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I begin? I loved the vibes and inspiration of silent hill, IKWYDLS and final destination. Having this slasher also written like almost all 90s slashers made my little horror loving heart ecstatic. This book is definitely more solemn and deals with the heavy motions of grief in all of its stages beautifully and intricately. Maniac Mall is fun, gorey and everything that goes into Christopher Robertsons meta horror universe!

[Emily Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

A horror book set in a ’90s mall? Say less! I was immediately sold. I had so much fun with this one! The nostalgia, humor and brutally creative kills made it such an entertaining read. I also loved the little found footage element sprinkled throughout the story. It added a fun extra layer and fit the whole vibe perfectly. Definitely recommend this one if you’re looking for a bloody nostalgic soaked horror read!

[Annette✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come

[masinahikan_iskwew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy his books. They have 90's slasher vibes but with more gore!
A new mall the night before its grand opening is just the right setting for a killer to take out their revenge!

[Jesy Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book wanting that nostalgic feeling of a 90's slasher flick and I was given exactly that. The perfect mall setting, complete with all the stores I remember and characters that felt like my friends. The creepiest mannequins you could imagine and, as an 80s kid, you know I alway wondered about the possibility of that. This one cracked open those childhood fears and chased everyone around with them. I can't say enough good about this one.