-13%

📖 Have you read this book?

Your review can inspire others to read it

🧠 Psychological Horror −13%

Night Shift

Name: Night Shift
Price: 19.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780307947291

✍️ Stephen King

Reader Score

4.4

(4 reviews)

$19.00 ~~$22.00~~ Save $3.00 (13%)

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of nineteen short stories by Stephen King exploring American horror.

King presents a diverse array of terrifying scenarios across various mundane locations. The stories range from supernatural hauntings to psychological terrors, all rooted in everyday American life. Titles like "Children of the Corn" and "The Mangler" highlight the author's skill in blending the ordinary with the horrific. The collection demonstrates King's early mastery of suspense and dread, offering readers a comprehensive look at his short fiction output.

Key Themes

American horror supernatural fiction psychological dread

Literary Context

Originally published in hardcover by Doubleday in New York in 1978, this collection represents King's early contribution to American horror literature. It reflects the late seventies interest in supernatural tales and dark fiction, establishing his voice in the genre before his later fame.

Stephen King

📚 all books by this author (530) →

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Dean Koontz · Clive Barker · Peter Straub · Shirley Jackson

🧠

Psychological Horror

🏛 Vintage 📅 2012 📖 344 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780307947291

📚 This Book in Collections

📚 Horror Anthologies & Story Collections

📝 Description: Night Shift

Stephen King compiles nineteen disturbing short tales in this anthology, delving into the shadowy aspects of US existence. The plots traverse recognizable locales such as high schools, factories, truck stops, laundries, and Nebraska cornfields, turning them into breeding grounds for horror. King’s writing relies on supernatural fiction traditions and psychological terror, showing how ordinary settings become places of insanity and strange events. The book contains famous stories like 'Jerusalem's Lot,' 'Graveyard Shift,' 'Night Surf,' and 'I Am the Doorway.' Fans will also find 'The Mangler,' 'The Boogeyman,' 'Grey Matter,' and 'Battleground.' Additional tales include 'Trucks,' 'Sometimes They Come Back,' 'Strawberry Spring,' and 'The Ledge.' Further stories are 'The Lawnmower Man,' 'Quitters, Inc.,' 'I Know What You Need,' and 'Children of the Corn.' The final selections are 'The Last Rung on the Ladder,' 'The Man Who Loved Flowers,' 'One for the Road,' and 'The Woman in the Room.' This volume is ideal for fans of classic American horror and supernatural fiction. It appeals to those who like King’s skill at locating fear in ordinary places. The book is not suitable for readers wanting light entertainment or non-fiction. People seeking long novels might choose other titles by this author. The stories appear as separate narratives, each providing a distinct view into the dark areas where horror and madness exist.

💎 Our verdict on Night Shift

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Stephen King compiles nineteen disturbing short tales in this anthology, delving into the shadowy aspects of US existence. The plots traverse recognizable locales such as high schools, factories, truck stops, laundries, and Nebraska cornfields, turning them into breeding grounds for horror. King’s writing relies on supernatural fiction traditions and psychological terror, showing how ordinary settings become places of insanity and strange events. This volume is ideal for fans of classic American horror and supernatural fiction. It appeals to those who like King’s skill at locating fear in ordinary places. The book is not suitable for readers wanting light entertainment or non-fiction. People seeking long novels might choose other titles by this author.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This volume is ideal for fans of classic American horror and supernatural fiction who appreciate the art of locating fear in ordinary places. Readers will gain a comprehensive look at King’s early short fiction output, exploring nineteen disturbing tales that traverse high schools, truck stops, and Nebraska cornfields. The collection demonstrates his skill in turning recognizable locales into breeding grounds for insanity and strange events. It appeals to those who enjoy suspense rooted in psychological terror rather than just jump scares. By delving into the shadowy aspects of US existence, King shows how everyday settings become places of dread. This book offers a distinct view into the dark corners of reality, making it essential for collectors of horror fiction seeking his foundational work.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

Readers craving visceral, everyday nightmares will devour this collection. If you prefer polished prose or dislike gore, look elsewhere. This is for those who love finding terror in the mundane.

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 4 reviews

Hannah F.

April 25, 2026

Bought this for my brother and ended up reading it first. The ending is bleak and honest, not a twist for the sake of one. The font runs small in this edition. Solid, if not essential.

Nathan W.

November 30, 2025

Slow start

Been meaning to get this one for a while. There's real craft in how much is left unsaid. Not a jump-scare book; it gets under the skin and stays there. It assumes some familiarity with the genre's tropes. Good, with the caveats above.

Victor R.

July 27, 2025

I read a lot of horror and I'm picky. The binding held up to being carried around for a week. The setting is practically a character, and a hostile one. Already eyeing my next order.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Absolutely not. The anthology features extreme violence and disturbing themes that are strictly intended for adult audiences.

Yes, this volume contains that classic tale along with fifteen other iconic stories from King's early career.

📖 Who should read this

Readers craving visceral, everyday nightmares will devour this collection. If you prefer polished prose or dislike gore, look elsewhere. This is for those who love finding terror in the mundane.

📜 Historical context

Published in 1978, Night Shift cemented Stephen King as a master of American horror by bridging pulp traditions and literary depth. It shifted the genre’s focus from gothic estates to suburban dread, influencing countless authors to mine supernatural terror from familiar landscapes like diners and schools.