Page 18 - OCT2025

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NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM October 2025 Book of the Month: Graveyard Shift By M.L. Rio
By BRittany amalfi
October again? You know I’m coming in here with a spooky season recommenda- tion for the Book of the Month, then! There really is nothing better than curling up on a dark and stormy night with a scary story while the thunder crashes and the fire inside burns. And lucky for you all, I actually have
a shorter book to tell you about this month! Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio is an eerie novella told from five points of view over the course of one night after five strangers make a creepy discov- ery in a graveyard.
What makes Graveyard Shift so fun is how wildly different the five characters are, each bringing their own quirks and baggage to the night’s events. There’s the determined college news editor who can’t resist a good story, the socially anx- ious vagabond who just wants to stay under the radar, the dry-humored Uber driver with some dark secrets dragged into the chaos, the effortlessly cool bartender who seems to have seen it all, and the sharp, obser- vant hotel receptionist piecing
things together faster than the rest. Their clashing personalities make the story seep with tension and a little humor.
The book really leans into a dark, eerie atmosphere that makes the night super tense. Fog drifts through the graveyard,
shadows lurk around every cor- ner, and even ordinary sounds— like the rustle of leaves or distant footsteps—feel threatening. The setting keeps you on edge the whole time, making it easy to imagine curling up in a cozy spot while the story chills you to the bone.
At the story's center is the strange, open grave, and no one knows why it’s there or how it got that way. From the mo- ment the characters discover it, the story keeps you on edge, and you’re constantly guessing what’s really happening. Small clues and unsettling moments make you question what’s real and keep the tension building until the very end.
Each chapter slips you into a different character’s mind, and
the shifting perspectives build the tension in the best way. As the night unravels, secrets sur- face, fear spreads, and you can feel that something isn’t quite right lurking in the dark. M.L. Rio keeps the pace tight and the atmosphere extremely un- settling—perfect for when you want a quick, spine-tingling read without sacrificing depth or character.
The combination of unique characters, a puzzling open grave, and the dark, eerie atmo- sphere makes the story impossi- ble to put down. Each character reacts differently to the night’s events, keeping the tension dy- namic, and the mysterious grave keeps you guessing at every turn.
In the end, Graveyard Shift is a perfect quick read for anyone who loves a spooky, suspense- ful story. It’s short but packs a punch, with interesting charac- ters, a creepy mystery, and an at- mosphere that will stick with you long after you finish. Whether you’re reading on a stormy night or just looking for a quick thrill, it’s a story that will keep you hooked until the very last page.
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