In Graveyard Shift, M.L. Rio, author of If We Were Villains, crafts an atmospheric novella that blends modern Gothic horror with a dark academic setting. The story revolves around an ancient college cemetery, where five mismatched individuals cross paths regularly during their late shifts. This peculiar group includes a bartender, a rideshare driver, a hotel receptionist, the steward of a derelict church, and the editor-in-chief of the college newspaper, who is always on the lookout for a story. Their routine takes a disturbing turn one October evening when they discover a freshly dug grave where none should exist. The gravedigger unexpectedly returns, setting off a chain of eerie events for the group.

Intrigued and unnerved, the group begins to unravel the mystery behind the grave. As they follow the gravedigger through the night, they come to realise that this enigmatic figure may hold the key to a series of bizarre incidents that have recently plagued the town. The deeper they dig, the more they understand that they are entangled in something far more sinister than they could have imagined.

Rio’s Graveyard Shift is a short yet haunting tale, filled with atmospheric tension and an ensemble of richly drawn characters. I found this novella to be a quick, engaging read, reminding me of a Scooby-Doo episode with its blend of mystery and supernatural themes.

While some readers may wish for a longer, more developed plot, the novella’s brevity enhances its intensity, keeping readers on edge as they race to uncover the truth (making me turn the pages very quickly). The unsettling mix of the unknown, an abandoned church, and the nightshift workers’ sleep-deprived minds creates a disorienting, feverish experience. Graveyard Shift is a gripping, eerie novella that will leave you both satisfied and longing for more of Rio’s storytelling.