BookPath
Night Shift
Stephen King

Night Shift

Quick Answer

Read "Night Shift" as the nullth book in the Collections sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Quick Verdict

✅ Safe to read now (Series Entry Point)

There are multiple ways to approach this series. Our recommended order is optimized for first-time readers.

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: A compelling work from the Stephen King's bibliography. Whether as a standalone or part of a loosely connected universe, it's a staple for fans.

Is this helpful?
2008368 ppWikidataSource
Stephen King has brought together nineteen of his most unsettling short pieces--bizarre tales of dark doing and unthinkable acts from the twilight regions where horror and madness take on eerie, unearthly forms...where noises in the walls and shadows by the bed are always signs of something dreadful on the prowl. The settings are familiar and unsuspected--a high school, a factory, a truck stop, a laundry, a field of Nebraska corn. But in Stephen King's world any place can serve as devil's ground...if the time of night is propitious, and the forces of darkness are strong, and the victims are caught just slightly off their guard... ([source][1]) ---------- Contains: - [Jerusalem's Lot][2] - Graveyard Shift - Night Surf - I Am the Doorway - The Mangler - The Boogeyman - Grey Matter - Battleground - Trucks - Sometimes They Come Back - Strawberry Spring - The Ledge - The Lawnmower Man - [Quitters, Inc.][3] - I Know What You Need - [Children of the Corn][4] - The Last Rung on the Ladder - The Man Who Loved Flowers - [One for the Road][5] - The Woman in the Room ---------- Also contained in: - [The Shining / 'Salem's Lot / Night Shift / Carrie][6] [1]: https://stephenking.com/library/story_collection/night_shift_flap.html [2]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL14916772W/Jerusalem's_Lot [3]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL149153W/Quitters_Inc [4]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL19791056W/Children_of_the_Corn [5]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL19791071W/One_for_the_Road [6]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL19558521W/The_Shining_'Salem's_Lot_Night_Shift_Carrie
Next Recommended Book

The Stephen King Collection. Stories From Night Shift

Book # of 241 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

medium Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Collections conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Night Shift?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read Night Shift before other books in the series?

No. We recommend reading the previous book first. Night Shift is the nullth book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is Night Shift required reading for the Collections?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after Night Shift in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Night Shift is The Stephen King Collection. Stories From Night Shift (Book #null).