BookPath
Skeleton Crew
Stephen King

Skeleton Crew

Quick Answer

Read "Skeleton Crew" 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.

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2025513 ppWikidataSource
From the Flap: The Master at his scarifying best! From heart-pounding terror to the eeriest of whimsy--tales from the outer limits of one of the greatest imaginations of our time! Evil that breathes and walks and shrieks, brave new worlds and horror shows, human desperation bursting into deadly menace--such are the themes of these astounding works of fiction. In the tradition of Poe and Stevenson, of Lovecraft and The Twilight Zone, Stephen King has fused images of fear as old as time with the iconography of contemporary American life to create his own special brand of horror--one that has kept millions of readers turning the pages even as they gasp. In the book-length story "The Mist," a supermarket becomes the last bastion of humanity as a peril beyond dimension invades the earth. . . Touch "The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands," and say your prayers . . . There are some things in attics which are better left alone, things like "The Monkey" . . . The most sublime woman driver on earth offers a man "Mrs. Todd's Shortcut" to paradise . . . A boy's sanity is pushed to the edge when he's left alone with the odious corpse of "Gramma" . . . If you were stunned by Gremlins, the Fornits of "The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet" will knock your socks off . . . Trucks that punish and beautiful teen demons who seduce a young man to massacre; curses whose malevolence grows through the years; obscene presences and angels of grace--here, indeed, is a night-blooming bouquet of chills and thrills. ([source][1]) ---------- Contains: - [The Mist](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL149144W/The_Mist) - Here There Be Tygers - [The Monkey](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL149146W/The_Monkey) - Cain Rose Up - [Mrs. Todd's Shortcut](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL149148W/Mrs._Todd's_Shortcut) - [The Jaunt](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL20663554W/The_Jaunt) - The Wedding Gig - Paranoid: a Chant - The Raft - [Word Processor of the Gods](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL20666372W/The_Word_Processor) - The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands - Beachworld - The Reaper's Image - [Nona](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL20666488W/Nona) - For Owen - Survivor Type - Uncle Otto's Truck - Morning Deliveries (Milkman No. 1) - Big Wheels: a Tale of the Laundry Game (Milkman No. 2) - Gramma - The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet - The Reach [1]: https://stephenking.com/library/story_collection/skeleton_crew_flap.html
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 Skeleton Crew?

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

Can I read Skeleton Crew before other books in the series?

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

Is Skeleton Crew 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 Skeleton Crew in the reading order?

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