Never Whistle at Night

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?”

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 readers 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.

These discussion questions were provided and sponsored by the publisher, Vintage.

Book club questions for Never Whistle at Night by Shane Hawk - editor and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. - editor

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

How do themes of colonialism, survival, and identity shape the horror in these stories? In what ways does cultural trauma manifest in supernatural forms?

Indigenous storytelling often involves a deep connection to the land and to spiritual beings. How do the stories reflect this relationship, and how does it differ from mainstream horror tropes?

How does Stephen Graham Jones’s introduction shape your reading of the collection? Did his framing change the way you interpreted certain stories?

Revenge is a recurring theme. In what ways do these stories use vengeance as a tool for justice, healing, or horror?

What do you think the anthology is ultimately trying to say about fear—where it comes from, how it’s passed down, and what power it holds?

Describe Liz’s character and situation. Talk about her narrative voice, including her references to the “alien overlords.” What does she convey in the first chapter about her personality, her current circumstances, and her past?

What is Maeve like? What does Liz admire about her? Why do the two of them grow closer? How and why do the two of them clash? Explain why Maeve keeps her past from Liz and how Liz finds out about it. What does Liz learn about Maeve and Eva’s relationship?

Flashbacks tell readers about Liz’s life before The Storm and when it arrived. What was her family like? Why were her parents at odds? What was school like for Liz? What were her hopes for the future?

Many of the stories explore the tension between tradition and modern life. How do different characters navigate the pull of ancestral beliefs in contemporary settings?

The anthology opens with the idea that whistling at night can summon evil. How does this concept resonate across the various stories? Which interpretation or version of the warning felt most impactful to you?

Which story surprised or unsettled you the most, and why? How did the author build tension or suspense?

Several stories center on family—whether through legacies, secrets, or generational trauma. How do familial relationships heighten the emotional stakes of the horror?

How does the anthology use setting—urban, rural, or mythical—to enhance the mood or meaning of its stories? Were there any particular settings that stood out to you?

Never Whistle at Night Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the Never Whistle at Night discussion questions

Praise for Never Whistle at Night:

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

“Never Whistle at Night is all I’ve ever wanted in an Indigenous horror anthology. From doubles, to Empty People, to story theft, to zombies, this anthology explores the horror that lives in colonial violence, generational love and trauma, and our everyday lives. It’s a joy to see such a diverse representation of experience, background, and style in this carefully-curated and terrifying collection.”
—Jessica Johns, author of Bad Cree

“The combination of folklore and the travails of contemporary life is potent. Hard-edged and dread-inducing, Never Whistle at Night showcases major horror talent.”
—Laird Barron, author of The Wind Began to Howl

“An extensive collection of Indigenous stories ranging from the humorous to the terrifying, this anthology is a must-read for everyone. Your new favorite author is absolutely in this book.”
—Amina Akhtar, author of Kismet

“Monsters wear many faces in these tales, and violence is both a cruelty and catharsis depending on who’s wielding it, the balance of power shifting according to who’s enforcing old patterns or carving new ones.”
—Natalie Zutter, Literary Hub