Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio

You know that eerie feeling you get when you’re up way too late, and the world feels just a little… off? Like reality’s gotten fuzzy around the edges, and anything could happen? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because M L Rio’s “Graveyard Shift” is about to take you on a wild ride through that liminal space where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the lines between sanity and madness blur like watercolors in the rain.

A Midnight Rendezvous with the Uncanny

Set in a small college town that feels both familiar and slightly… off-kilter, “Graveyard Shift” by M L Rio follows a ragtag group of night owls who find themselves entangled in a mystery that’s equal parts thrilling and unsettling. There’s:

• Edie: The ambitious student newspaper editor with a nose for news and a possible lump in her breast
• Theo: The charismatic bartender with a penchant for breaking his own rules
• Hannah: The insomniac rideshare driver with more secrets than a government archive
• Tamar: The world-weary hotel receptionist searching for meaning in the wee hours
• Tuck: The church caretaker with a mycological obsession and a talent for disappearing

Their nightly meetups in the local cemetery take a sharp turn into the twilight zone when they discover a freshly dug grave where no grave should be. And that’s just the beginning of the weirdness, folks.

A Master Class in Atmosphere

Rio’s prose is like a rich, dark wine – complex, intoxicating, and liable to leave you with one hell of a hangover. She paints the nighttime world in vivid strokes, making you feel the chill in the air, hear the rustle of dead leaves, and smell the faint decay of the graveyard. It’s atmospheric as all get-out, with a creeping sense of dread that builds like a slow-rolling fog.

Characters That’ll Haunt You

Each member of our nocturnal crew is delightfully flawed and painfully human. Rio has a knack for creating characters that feel like old friends—or maybe that slightly unhinged person you always see at the 24-hour diner but are too afraid to talk to. You’ll find yourself rooting for them, even as you question their choices (and sanity).

A Buffet of Delicious Themes

“Graveyard Shift” by M L Rio isn’t just a spooky romp through a cemetery (though it’s definitely that, too). Rio serves up a smorgasbord of meaty themes to chew on:

• The blurry line between science and pseudo-science
• The desperation of chronic insomnia
• The ethics of medical research
• The power of found family

A Love Letter to the Night

At its heart, “Graveyard Shift” is an ode to those of us who come alive when the sun goes down. It captures that strange camaraderie that forms between night shift workers, the way the world feels both more dangerous and more magical in the dark.

A Touch of the Surreal

Rio flirts with magical realism throughout the novella, leaving you constantly questioning what’s real and what might be a hallucination brought on by sleep deprivation. It’s a delicious kind of uncertainty that’ll keep you turning pages well past your bedtime.

Prose That’ll Make You Swoon (and Maybe Check for Fungal Growth)

Can we talk about M.L. Rio’s writing for a hot second? Because holy smokes, this woman can craft a sentence. Her descriptions are so vivid you can practically taste them (though in this case, you might not want to). Some standout lines that made me pause and re-read:

• “The night was half over, and the cold wasn’t cold enough to kill him. Probably.”
• “Hannah could have been a tour guide, there or on the terrestrial plane.”
• “Secrets carry weight, like lead.”

A Rollercoaster of Tension

Rio knows how to wind you up tighter than a spring and then let you go flying. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter ratcheting up the stakes until you’re practically vibrating with nervous energy. I may have gnawed off a fingernail or two.

Content Warnings

While “Graveyard Shift” by M L Rio isn’t overly graphic, it does deal with some heavy topics:

• Medical experimentation
• Substance abuse
• Mental health issues
• Brief violence

Who Should Read This Book?

• Night owls and insomniacs (you’ll feel seen)
• Mystery lovers who like a dash of the supernatural
• Anyone who’s ever worked a late shift and felt the world go sideways
• Fans of atmospheric, character-driven suspense

If You Loved…

If these books tickled your fancy, “Graveyard Shift” should be right up your creepy alley:

• “If We Were Villains” (Rio’s debut novel – it’s a banger)
• “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt
• “Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
• “The Supernatural Enhancements” by Edgar Cantero

Final Verdict: A Deliciously Unsettling Five Stars

“Graveyard Shift” is a tour de force, cementing M L Rio’s place as a master of atmospheric suspense. It’s the kind of story that’ll have you jumping at shadows and side-eyeing that weird growth on your bathroom ceiling.

This novella packs more punch in its slim page count than many full-length novels. It’s a testament to Rio’s skill that she can create such a fully realized world and cast of characters in such a compact format.

Bonus: The Perfect reading Experience

To fully immerse yourself in the “Graveyard Shift” vibe, I recommend:

• Time: The witching hour, naturally
• Setting: A dimly lit room, preferably with creaky floorboards
• Soundtrack: Eerie ambient music or the distant howl of wind
• Snack: Mushroom risotto (if you dare)
• Beverage: Strong black coffee or a peaty whiskey

A Conversation Starter

One of the best things about “Graveyard Shift” by M L Rio is how it lingers in your mind, sparking conversations and making you question… well, everything. Here are some juicy discussion points:

• Which character did you relate to most? Why?
• Do you think the experimental drug’s effects were purely biological, or was there something more supernatural at play?
• How does the setting (a small college town) contribute to the overall atmosphere?
• Discuss the various forms of addiction portrayed in the novella. How do they drive the characters’ actions?
• What role does mycology play in the story? How does it connect to the larger themes?

A Note on Format

It’s worth mentioning that “Graveyard Shift” is a novella, not a full-length novel. Some readers might find the compact format leaves them wanting more, but I’d argue that the brevity adds to the punch. It’s like a shot of espresso straight to your literary veins.

The Bottom Line: Read This Book (But Maybe Not Alone at Night)

Look, I could ramble on about “Graveyard Shift” for another thousand words (and trust me, I’ve got plenty more to say). But instead, I’m going to give you one final piece of advice:

Read. This. Book.

Seriously. Clear your schedule, brew a pot of coffee, and prepare to be utterly transported. M.L. Rio has crafted a story that will crawl under your skin and take up residence in your brain. It’s a reminder of the strange magic that exists in the nighttime world – and the dangers that lurk in the shadows.

“Graveyard Shift” isn’t just a book; it’s an experience. One that will leave you feeling a little bit unsettled, a whole lot intrigued, and grateful for the relative normalcy of your own life (unless you, too, are embroiled in fungal-based medical conspiracies, in which case… maybe seek help?).

So what are you waiting for? Grab a copy, turn off all the lights, and prepare to lose sleep in the best possible way. Your next favorite novella is waiting… in the shadows.