The Whistler A Paranormal Historical Romance Thriller by A.A. Lewis
What happens when true love becomes the crime that curses your soul for eternity?
Set in the rich, mystical backdrop of late 1800s New Orleans, The Whistler tells the haunting story of Josiah Planter, a hardworking dockhand who wants nothing more than a simple life. Amid a city buzzing with opportunity for free Black men like himself, Josiah’s world is upended when he falls for the forbidden Celeste Boudreaux, a captivating young woman from a legendary bloodline of conjures, whose roots predate the city's very name.
Drawn together by an undeniable force, Josiah and Celeste's love burns bright, but their passion defies powerful warnings and ancient magic. When fate takes a dark turn, Josiah is betrayed, broken, and cursed by the Boudreaux line, doomed to spend eternity wandering the French Quarter as something no longer fully human.
Now, part spirit and part incubus, Josiah becomes The Whistler - a soul-devouring entity who lures victims with an eerily seductive melody that sounds as if he's whistling your name. By the time you hear it, it’s already too late. Bound by lust and tormented by the fading memory of love, Josiah searches desperately for a way to break the curse before he loses what’s left of his humanity. But with every passing year, the line between man and monster blurs.
Sensual, chilling, and steeped in the dark magic of New Orleans lore, The Whistler is a tale of love, betrayal, and erotic obsession that will leave you breathless and haunted long after the final page.
A.A. Lewis is such a phenomenal storyteller. Just off the cover I thought it was a spooky read and the fact that it took place in New Orleans with curses and spells. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. This in turn was such a beautiful love story. A man searching for the love of his life, his soulmate, for years and years and he’s stuck between two realms, the spiritual world and reality because he’s been cursed.
This story was beautifully written. Again this story feel like the movie Eve’s Bayou. It’s not the same story but you feel just the same. This story so unique. It’s captivating. This definitely needs a movie.
I wanted to like this book but once Josiah turned into the Whistler it went downhill for me. I wasn’t expecting the explicit parts especially if he only had love for Celeste. I get why it happened but I guess I was hoping for a different direction. (Revenge killing, haunting ppl who doubted them) I felt the book dragged and sentences repeated itself over and over and I found myself “rolling my eyes” at some points. There were many times I felt the book could’ve ended but it kept going. Not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
What a Journey. There are questions I still have and tried to pay close attention but, I’m still stumped. The journey through these realms and years was truly captivating. I could keep up with Josiah/The Whistler as he’s always just those two, or is he? Now, the different Celeste, or Celeste openings or forms every ten years or so, leave me trying to connect the dots. But Mya! I really got attached to her, If you’ve seen or heard the promo, you can hear the sound I heard every time someone said he whistled or said their name. Oh, but he can really say Mya’s name. I felt for her through these trials because she truly didn’t understand what was happening. But, when The Whistler tricked both Mya and me, I immediately wanted to call A.A. and cry, nooooo. Please say it ain’t so. But, it was. Mello tried everything he could but didn’t give up. Once he reached her friends, Zara baybeee showed up and showed out for her friend/sister. She literally gave her life for Mya’s. I had so many feels throughout this book for so many. Josiah, but not The Whistler. And what became of him? Celeste for all the time she remained wherever she was and whatever she was going to through because she suffered so tragically. Can there be real peace truly ever for Celeste and Josiah? Now am I wrong for not feeling for The Whistler in the yellow dress. She brought that on herself. Author A.A. did a phenomenal job with this book and I’m glad I took this journey. Now trust me, NOLA will forever be totally different for me and don’t think I’ll walk those bricks and cobblestone of blood, intoxicated again. Cause I need to be aware of the shadows and alleys, yeah! As far as I know, I have no ties to those realms, but a thug a lil nervous fr fr. Good read 100%!
I don't even know what words need to be used to describe how into this book I was. The length of it intimidated me because I don't typically dive into anything much longer than 300 pages, but because I've enjoyed so much of her previous work, I decided to give it a shot. Best decision I ever made and I finished this book in 3 days. It would have been quicker but people expect me to work.
This book is giving 100% New Orleans! I felt so immersed in the entire story that started in the late 1800s and seamlessly carried you to present day. It brought forth every memory I had from visiting and felt like I was reading something written from NOLA-based author. The entire French quarter was like another character in this book. It was giving heartbreak, love, loss, dark magic, revenge, spirits, soul ties, true friendship, heartache, and we can't forget the lust, steam heat and spice that A.A. is bound to infuse in her work. It was just so incredibly well written in the story was so well told that I feel like I need stronger words to express that but I'm still in my feelings. It has been a very long time since I've read a book and shed any sort of tear, and this is probably the longest review I've ever written. I do not have enough words to more highly recommend a book. Just go read it. For me, this is her best work yet.
The Whistler has a haunting and atmospheric tone that draws you in from the very beginning. A.A. Lewis creates vivid scenes that make you feel the fog, the silence, and the chill in the air. The pacing is steady and suspenseful, and the characters feel layered and real, each with their own emotions and hidden stories that add depth to the mystery.
What stands out most is how the setting almost becomes a character itself, adding tension and mood throughout the book. The writing is smooth, visual, and emotionally engaging, making the story easy to fall into and hard to forget. If you enjoy mysteries with strong atmosphere and storytelling that lingers, this is a book you’ll definitely want to read.
This was a hauntingly beautiful story of young lovers betrayed. Their souls left searching and craving one another spanning more than a 100 years. Josiah and Celeste have a story full of heartaching suspense that takes place in the historical setting of NOLA steeped in tradition and magic within an eerie and bleak atmosphere. There were light gothic and horror elements. I read this in one sitting unable to stop til I knew what would become of Josiah and Celeste. There were a couple points I found myself so torn for them that I was cursing the ancestors for them.
The Whistler is the kind of story that lingers, wrapping itself around your thoughts long after you close the book. It’s dark, haunting, and heartbreakingly beautiful. Set against the mystical pulse of 1800s New Orleans, it weaves love, betrayal, and magic into something both tragic and timeless.
Josiah and Celeste’s story isn’t just about forbidden love it’s about how passion can bless and destroy in the same breath. Every page feels heavy with longing and loss, the kind that settles deep in your chest. The writing is lush and lyrical, pulling you into a world where love becomes a curse and redemption feels just out of reach.
The ending definitely caught me off guard, and now I’m quietly hoping for a part two.
This novel was absolutely brilliant! There’s nothing I can say without giving anything away but I will say this. To say this author isn’t from New Orleans she did an AMAZING job writing this tale. I truly enjoyed reading about The Whistler and to answer one of the questions… if the whistler came to me in the state of mind I’m in at this moment I would do my best to fight and not respond. My life isn’t perfect but I have a son & grandchildren to watch grow into young men and women. I want to be around in the real world for that….
This book was long — a tragic love story wrapped in jealousy, revenge, and redemption, but not always in the smartest ways. The ghosting storyline was completely played out, and watching Josiah suffer for someone else’s jealous mistake had me rolling my eyes. Naomi started the whole mess, kept it alive for YEARS, and somehow walked away untouched.
There were emotional moments and good tension, but the accountability was off, the drama dragged, and the redemption showed up late to its own party. A solid 3 stars because I finished it — not because the plot made sense.
The whistler was every thing I hoped it would be. I enjoyed the whole storyline and how it came full circle. The Louisiana feel, darkness, mystery and love. Josiah is the whistler who is fighting to hold on to his former self as well as the love he lost. The whistler goes from past, future and present making it flow very well and connect all of the pieces, I really liked this and even though it ended well I would like to see what became of Maristelle.
This was a very good read. I really like how we get to experience what The Whistler goes through each decade. I thought that was really cool. I felt sorry for him for what he went through even though at one point he made me mad. I love how the book ended. Like they say, Karma is a b***h!
The Whistler by A.A. Lewis was my first paranormal romance, and I absolutely loved it. The writing is poetic, atmospheric, and beautifully crafted, pulling me into every moment. The blend of emotion, mystery, and the supernatural felt effortless. A stunning read, and I’m so glad I picked this up.
The storytelling is what made this a 4 star for me. I was waiting for the hype of this story to be like wow! I reminded me of Practical Magic. Two different stories. this where the storytelling help out. I like how she told it and how I was able to imagine what was happening. I would recommend this book for a good story. Woman scorn will go answered just not what you expect.
AA Lewis. I could stop right here with the period, because, her name is enough said, when you talk about dynamic storytelling. She places readers right inside each and every story. And This Whistler??! Chiiile... prepare to walk the streets of New Orleans and walk across time and space. You will be right there inside the experience. When you feel compelled to hold your breath, don't. Breathe. And breathe again. And again... and again... Yessss that's it... A ten star tale! SALUD SISTER!