Never Whistle at Night

An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology

By: Shane Hawk - editor, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. - editor

Narrated by: Erin Tripp, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Joelle Peters, Kaniehtiio Horn, Lisa Cromarty, Maika Harper, Shane Ghostkeeper, Sheldon Elter, Tara Sky

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • SHIRLEY JACKSON AWARD NOMINEE FOR BEST EDITED ANTHOLOGY • BRAM STOKER AWARD NOMINEE FOR SUPERIOR ACHIEVEMENT IN AN ANTHOLOGY • LOCUS AWARD FINALIST

A bold, clever, and sublimely sinister collection that dares to ask the question: “Are you ready to be un-settled?”

“Never failed to surprise, delight, and shock.” —Nick Cutter, author of The Troop and Little Heaven

Featuring stories by:

Norris Black • Amber Blaeser-Wardzala • Phoenix Boudreau • Cherie Dimaline • Carson Faust • Kelli Jo Ford • Kate Hart • Shane Hawk • Brandon Hobson • Darcie Little Badger • Conley Lyons • Nick Medina • Tiffany Morris • Tommy Orange • Mona Susan Power • Marcie R. Rendon • Waubgeshig Rice • Rebecca Roanhorse • Andrea L. Rogers • Morgan Talty • D.H. Trujillo • Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. • Richard Van Camp • David Heska Wanbli Weiden • Royce K. Young Wolf • Mathilda Zeller

Many Indigenous people believe that one should never whistle at night. This belief takes many forms: for instance, Native Hawaiians believe it summons the Hukai’po, the spirits of ancient warriors, and Native Mexicans say it calls Lechuza, a witch that can transform into an owl. But what all these legends hold in common is the certainty that whistling at night can cause evil spirits to appear—and even follow you home.

These wholly original and shiver-inducing tales introduce listeners to ghosts, curses, hauntings, monstrous creatures, complex family legacies, desperate deeds, and chilling acts of revenge. Introduced and contextualized by bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones, these stories are a celebration of Indigenous peoples’ survival and imagination, and a glorious reveling in all the things an ill-advised whistle might summon.

©2023 Shane Hawk and Theodore Van Alst, Jr. (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“[The editors’] taste is extraordinary, and they’ve put together a wonderful book.... Get this book because it showcases some truly exceptional writing. If you love short fiction, you really shouldn’t miss it.” —Arley Sorg, Lightspeed Magazine

“It’s legit.... You don’t want to miss this dark exploration of Indigenous traditions, themes, and characters.” —Matthew Jackson, Paste, “25 Horror Books We Can’t Wait to Read This Fall”

“A book of tantalizing tales that stretch from the eerie to the delightfully absurd. Some sound like they were plucked from David Lynch’s own brain and others are so steeped in reality that one feels like evil doesn’t have to follow one home because it is already there.... An unequivocal essential for any reader who isn’t afraid of the dark.” —Mallory Smart, Maudlin House

Spooky

A great collection of horror! Loved the storytelling and narration. I will read more by the authors in this anthology.

great collection of short stories

I really enjoyed the stories, and loved the readers. I immediately felt each story thru their distinctive Native story telling way. It was comfortable and easy, while drawing me all the way in. It was over too soon.

Native Story Tellers for the WIN

Great Great listen & read. Happy to see Native artists work together to share their stories, pieces, hearts and minds with us readers. Definitely need a 2nd book.

Great anthology

Loved the whole anthology! Amazingly creepy, I could hardly put it down. Will be reading more from each of the authors.

A Must Own!

“Are you sure you want to hear my scariest story?”
-Scariest. Story. Ever.
By Richard Van Camp

This Indigenous anthology of 26 unsettling and scary short stories is definitely one you don’t want to read at night-or alone!

Thought provoking, creepy, honest, and ghostly tales to satisfy any horror-loving reader. Definitely not a holiday read, but my Grim Readers book club chose this book for December. This book was a spooky change of pace from my snow-filled holiday romance reading.

There were stories about the ghosts among us, the spirits that protect, and the spirits that harm. There were tales of broken hearts and broken homes, and in my personal favorite story (Scariest. Story. Ever.), a story about honoring and protecting your family and supporting your community.

Along with the authors, the narrators for this anthology are also Indigenous. There wasn’t a bad reader among them and it felt as if these stories were being whispered to me, told with the utmost care.

Great Spooky Anthologies!

Loved all of these stories that are a mixture of folklore in the present day, heart break, and that crawling feeling “Black Mirror” leaves you with. Already looked up other works by the authors and am looking forward to reading/ listening to them!

Fantastic

Real, raw, riveting. A beautiful collection and introduction to several Native authors to seek more from.

Awesome

From actually terrifying to just straight up bizarre. These stories are awesome. I do not regret reading this, but I also wish I hadn’t read it when I had to be in the woods in the dark for work the same week!

Interesting and spooky stories

This book was a fun listen some stories where extra spooky or had me on edge and some were interesting to listen to

Lots of Variety

With all collections of short stories, I enjoyed some more than others. Each piece was unique and brought something interesting to the collection.
Unfortunately for me, many of the stories didn’t reach the level of horror I was expecting. Only a few left me chilled and wanting more. That being said, I recommend this to anyone who enjoys learning about indigenous mythologies and culture. Many of the perspectives in this collection were different than anything I’ve read before and cool to hear about.
I loved the various readers attached to each piece. Every story felt different, even with a previous voice returning.