The Secrets of Catspraddle Village

by Callie Browning

A grisly murder without a suspect. A bizarre love triangle. A philosopher moonlighting as a garbage man who gets a gun put to his head every Tuesday morning.

These are the secret lives of the residents of Catspraddle Village, a fictional district in the Caribbean island of Barbados. This collection of award-winning short stories by author Callie Browning is filled with hilarious banter, crazy escapades, and thought-provoking events that tell The Secrets of Catspraddle Village.

This one-hour literary fiction short story anthology by award-winning author Callie Browning will give you a front-row seat to all of the drama that can happen in a tiny Bajan village.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published April 17, 2023

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little (5 short stories) book set in the author’s native Barbados. Not in a city, not on the beach, wealthy tourists are unseen—just ordinary Bajans as they call themselves. Lot of humor here and a touch of sadness as well. The author is clever, includes great characters and local dialect. Any of these brief stories could be developed into a terrific novel. All are award winners.

The gem is the last story told by an early, early morning garbage man. What he sees in the garbage business reveals a lot about humanity.

This would be perfect as an audiobook.

Grudging 5 stars because it’s too short.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this after seeing the review of a GR Friend. It’s a collection of 5 (very) short stories from Barbados. My Kindle edition has less than 40 pages of text for the whole thing, and the book can comfortably be read in an hour. It maybe seems strange to give five stars for such a short collection, but I can only say I really enjoyed these stories. There’s some decent humour in the collection, especially in A Bajan Love Story, which had me rocking with laughter. On the Inside Looking Out was the only story that doesn’t have any humour. It’s a rather sad tale of a journalist covering crime stories. Actually, judging from this collection, Barbados does have a serious problem with violent crime. The last tale, The Science of Garbage, is described by the author as her favourite, and I can see why.

The stories are told using Caribbean/Barbados English.

If you are doing a “Round the World” challenge, this would be a good choice for ticking Barbados off the list.

[Maëlla K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook. My first audiobook at that! I felt like I was in Barbados with the people. I could hear them walk, I could hear the Nature's sounds, I could smell the life and death. What I liked the most was being able to laugh while still being aware of the fragility and humanity of these characters as we visited Barbados. This wasn't about the Caribbean paradise. I got to see the intimate multi-faceted island that I'm looking forward to read about.

[Bozena · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her unbelievable fascinating books, A Girl with the Hazel Eyes and The Vanishing Girls, Callie Browning has a new book coming in 2 days.

It's a collection of short stories that will bring you even closer to Barbados and their unusual (for me) way of life.
Ever since the first book by this author, I've been fascinated with the interesting world and its inhabitants.

I have read the book and also listened to the audiobook.

I received the paperback directly from the author. Yes, she's in Barbados 😃
But I also bought the audiobook (that's already published) because I really wanted to hear Callie Browning's voice.

It was amazing. It was like walking the Barbados streets with her and seeing the stories for myself.
A piece of Barbados culture described in a few short stories.

*This one-hour literary fiction short story anthology by award-winning author, Callie Browning, will give you a front-row seat to all of the drama that can happen in a tiny Bajan village.*

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not very familiar with Caribbean Lit, so this was a different kind of experience for me and a brief but pleasing taste of life in Barbados. I enjoyed each of the five short stories in this volume and in particular, the pervasive sense of place, the Bajan vernacular and the frequent use of everyday humor (i.e. "the plot chickens"). As others have mentioned, it's easy to imagine these stories expanded, stitched together and forming part of a larger work. A very entertaining collection.

[Baje Bookclub - Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callie Browning, the author of The Girl With The Hazel Eyes and The Vanishing Girls has a short story collection for us to devour!

The Secrets of Catspraddle Village is a collection of award-winning short stories. Callie has an amazing talent of describing each scene so vividly that the reader can see it. Catspraddle Village is set in Barbados 🇧🇧(Caribbean country). Browning captured the people, homes, culture and dialect of Barbados in these 5 stories. I am so glad I listened to it, I got to hear the lovely bajan dialect, it sweet nah?! Did you know Callie narrated this book ? Yesss and narrated all 21 characters.

I enjoyed this short story collection and of course - I wanted more. These 5 stories of residents of Catspraddle village touched my heart; the short stories were funny but reflected on some serious issues existing in Barbados.

My favourite stories were:
🌿 A Bajan Love Story 🤣 Gully is my fav character
🌿 The Life and Times of Artemis Briggs

I appreciated the “Behind-The-Scenes” details which explained how each story came about and the award won.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This slim collection of five very intimate short story provides a glimpse yet an immersive experience into the Barbadian society. Written in the vernacular, I can hear the words spoken, smell the dirt on the ground, and hear the breeze from the tamarind trees or the grass allowed to grow far too tall. The first story opens as the curtain is pulled introducing this village through the eyes of Artemis Briggs, then immediately grabs you by the throat with The Unsuspecting Suspect - a brilliant murder mystery story, then quickly pivots to a hilarious love triangle. The Science of Garbage was a personal favorite of mine and a crown jewel in this collection.

I loved this collection - each word chosen and written with purpose. Brava Callie Browning!

[Jenny Ashworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much @bajancallie for sending me the physical ARC of your upcoming anthology, The Secrets of Catspraddle Village.

Each of the five short stories are full to the brim of wonderful descriptions and fantastic scene setting as we explore a number of intriguing individuals who are residents of this fictional village in the Caribbean island of Barbados.

Perfect for when I’ve been short on time, I loved that I could pick up this book and read perhaps one or two of the short stories in a single sitting.

Both atmospheric and thought provoking, this wonderful collection is releasing on 2nd May - be sure to check it out 🙌

4 🌟

[Rol-J Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secrets of Catspraddle Village is 48 pages of pure Bajan humour! It is a really easy, Sunday-afternoon-reverie kind of book, not only because it is 48 pages (42 pages of actual literary content), but because the five short stories included (except for On the Inside Looking Out) are really light, humorous and are laced with the elements of Bajan storytelling. It is the kind of storytelling you would get from a grandmother on her back step in the rural areas of St. Andrew or St. Joseph. My sojourns in Barbados really helped with relating to these stories because of the familiarity with the places, the signage and socio-economic chasms that exist in Bajan society.
Someone who recommended this book to me highlighted that the author is a good storyteller and I agree with that. However, the mechanics of the writing presented some difficulty for me, which is why I took off a star in my rating. The writing was trite in many areas, and the author leads off with a story that fell flat for me, and it is only until I read the author's "Behind-the-scenes details" that I saw some of the relevance for its inclusion. I loved that the author linked A Bajan Love Story with The Science of Garbage, and this link highlighted the potential for the development of a full novel from those two stories. I hope the author develops them further, especially since they were award-winning and clearly demonstrate tremendous craft and potential.
This book is a powerful text that scratches the scab off, exposing the raw wound of crime, poverty, and infidelity, but it soothes over the pain with the hope and promise that can exist in the worst circumstances.

[RensBookishSpace · Rating 4 out of 5]

a charming anthology of short stories that showcase the author's talent for crafting intriguing characters. As someone who has read the author's previous works, The Vanishing Girls and The Girl with the Hazel Eyes, I was excited to dive into this collection.

Each story in the anthology features a unique cast of characters that inhabit Catspraddle Village. From the philosophical garbage collector to the unassuming neighbor that knows everybody’s business, Browning has created a small world that is full of delightful surprises. It's refreshing to see such well-crafted characters that are both memorable and hilarious.

Browning's writing is also top-notch, seamlessly weaving together mystery, humor, and heart into each story. Overall, The Secrets of Catspraddle Village is a must-read anthology for any fan of Caribbean lit. Browning's talent for crafting intriguing characters and weaving together suspenseful plots is on full display making for an entertaining and satisfying read. My only complaint is that with just 5 stories it was over too quickly.

[Nadine Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secrets of Catspraddle Village is a collection of award-winning short stories. Callie has an amazing talent of describing each scene so vividly that the reader can see it. Catspraddle Village is set in Barbados where Browning captured the people, homes, culture and dialect of Barbados in these 5 stories. I am so happy that I got the audio version, the author did a great job narrating, lending authenticity to the stories. This is a really short as in 48 pages short, the stories are funny, light and gives great insight into the Bajan lifestyle.

[Sara Anne Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not ashamed to admit that it was the cover that drew my interest first (it’s gorgeous). I didn’t know what to expect when I first opened the book and was instantly rewarded with a unique series of short stories that each had me invested from their first paragraphs. While some stories were at times witty and had me chuckling out loud, others, especially the last, will stick with me awhile as I ponder the deeper subject matter.

This short anthology was so interesting to read, it left me craving more of her unique writing style! I want to check out her book The Girl With the Hazel Eyes next!

Thank you to the author for this #gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more! That's my only complaint. I love these beautiful humorous stories. Callie has done it again with her powerful descriptive writing, highlighting real issues with a touch of humour.

"Per capita, my village has a higher than average rate of drama among its residents than anywhere else on the island." When I read that opening line of the first story I knew I was in for a fun ride.

Set in Barbados where she resides, Callie's stories are unapologetically Caribbean. What I love is that I don't feel traumatized by her treatment of the ills in society. Callie deals with serious issues in a palatable manner where you will laugh but you will also find yourself doing some introspection.

Punctuated with vivid descriptions you become easily immersed in these stories. My favorite was The Science of Garbage, it was well developed and thought provoking. A Bajan love triangle was also another favorite of mine, full of wit, this story will have you laughing out loud. On the inside looking out is a contemplative piece that made me pause in thought while the unsuspecting suspect was an enjoyable mystery with a twist.

I read and listened to the audio version of the book and the audio is very entertaining and engaging.

If you are looking for a fun, humourous Caribbean read with beautiful writing I highly recommend this award winning collection of stories.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kicking off #readcarribean month with one of my favorites @bajancallie latest book of short stories.

This collection of stories kicks off with Artemis talking about his village and from there we are let into a world of a garbage man who has higher aspirations, thoughts on tourism and the unseen side of island life, a mysterious murder of a man deep in gambling debts, and a man in the midst of an affair with a married woman.

What I liked: Callie’s collection of short stories is just delightful. They all are strong additions to the book and offer a hint at life on Barbados, social classes, the effect of tourism, etc.

The way it’s written, I felt like Callie was reading to me… And if you’re an audio book fan, she can read to you!

Callie shines at descriptions, I kept checking to make sure the village was fake because it felt very true to life.

My favorites were The Unsuspecting Suspect, A Bajan Love Story and The Science of Garbage.

What didn’t work for me: Give me more! I’d love a whole series of books about village secrets. This one ended too soon.

Who should read it: Grab this one to read when you’re laying by the pool or in your backyard this summer and pretend you’re sharing drinks with Artemis as he regales you with secrets.

If you want to know more about life on Barbados, or enjoy short stories.

You’ve done it again @bajancallie and as you know, I always love your cover art.

QOTD: do you have any #readcarribean books planned for June? Let me know your list!

If you don’t have any planned, tell me your favorite Caribbean island to visit.

[Tess Blanch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Pub Day to The Secrets of Catspraddle Village.


I love this anthology of short stories, all five of them though my favorite is The Unsuspecting Suspect, love its mystery with a bit of humor. Though this is just a slice Bajan life, you will get a glimpse of their way of life and be transported in Barbados. When you hear of the island, you might think of the sun, the beaches and paradise but the author showed us the different side of Barbados, seeing the real residents of the island, their secrets, the dark streets and the crimes. It says a lot about the whole theme of the stories and enjoy reading them all. If there is one comment I can make is that I wish for more. I want more of their stories, more secret lives of the residents, the good and the not so good.


Thank you to Callie for sending this ARC from Barbados all the way to down under! Go get your copy and be transported!

[Haddy • haddyreadsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished The Secrets of Catspraddle Village, and I had such a good time with it.

This is a collection of five short stories set in a fictional village in Barbados. Each story follows different characters, but because they all live in the same community, some lives overlap in small, satisfying ways. One of my favourite moments was realizing that events from an earlier story were casually mentioned in a later one. ☺️

I listened to the audiobook. The narration was absolutely fantastic. It brought the humour, wit, and emotion to life, making each story feel distinct while still connected to the larger community.

This was my first Caribbean read and I can absolutely see why this is an award-winning collection.

I'm especially happy I picked it up during Read Caribbean Month because it was such a wonderful introduction to Caribbean literature.

If you're looking for something short (the audiobook is just about an hour), witty, character-driven, and beautifully narrated, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a try.

[T.K. Toppin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time reading Callie Browning's work, and as a fellow native of her country, I pointedly made an effort to make time to read. I loved each of the stories in this little collection--a mere handful--but delightful morsels. Each piece read as if the reader has dropped in to catch a glimpse of life as it's happening, a vignette of a moment, and though brief, fully satisfying, immersive, and fleshed out. The use of the Barbadian dialect blended in smoothly, and whether you're familiar with it or not, did not take away from the narrative, but enhanced it. My all time favourite was The Science of Garbage, and now when I hear the garbage collectors at night (or whatever time of the day), my mind will drift back to her story.

[Shakila (BooksandThemes) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a quick compilation of short stories in between bigger book reads? I recommend this one! And, there is an audiobook where Callie narrates it herself! When I saw that, i immediately paired my e-book copy with the audiobook!

These 5 short stories were entertaining as well as insightful. Callie does an excellent job of putting you in the scenes and atmosphere. All while giving you just enough to enjoy the short stories as if they were a full story. I loved how Callie arranged the stories with the first one, 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒈𝒔 being the story that sets the tone for the rest.

My favorites out of the 5 were 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑼𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕 and 𝑨 𝑩𝒂𝒋𝒂𝒏 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚. After reading the "Behind-the-scenes details" Callie added, It made me further chuckle to find that A Bajan Love Story was told from factual events. Also, after reading Callie's thoughts on the story 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒂𝒈𝒆, it further opened my eyes to that one as well.

"People quick to throw out things and say them broken, but only men like me who look past the garbage can see the glory."

There is so much truth and meaning to that quote! Seriously, pick this one up and enjoy! Callie did a phenomenal job of narrating, too!

[Latoya (jamaicangirlreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Callie Browning you are so wrong for teasing us like this!

I need more! Seriously, I need more!

I cannot simply not know what else is happening with my garbage collector!

Or the aspiring journalist!

That cockfight! What!?

I would be ready to read a full novel from ANY of these anthologies!

To say I was transported into Barbadian life is an understatement. The storytelling, the dialect, the day to day comings and goings of island life felt so, so real on these pages and I want more!

You will finish these stories in half a day but you'll remember them for a lifetime.

[Annalicia Taylur || pagesescape · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading The Secrets of Catspraddle Village by Callie Browning in one go, and it was an incredibly entertaining collection of short stories that kept me fully engaged throughout. However, I wished for more; more stories or longer narratives. The book was so enjoyable that its short length left me wanting much more!

Overall, The Secrets of Catspraddle Village is a delightful, quick read that delivers plenty of laughs and unexpected moments. If you’re looking for something light and fun, this is a great pick!

[Tianna ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I love that it was a short, fun read and I chuckled a lot through it. Some of the quotes (especially the last one in the secret of garbage) made me think and there was a reference to one of previous stories which was cool. I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants something light. Beware though, you may not understand the Bajan dialect if you’re not from the Caribbean.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bajan to a tee.

I love this collection. I was laughing from page one because it took me back to growing up in Barbados. The way the characters are so matter of fact is a true Bajan way. I recommend any one who wants a peek into island life to read this collection. I will definitely be reading more of Callie Browning's work.

[Nichole Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authentic Bajan Stories

We need more modern Bajan literature. As an avid reader it was refreshing to read something in my childhood syntax.

I thoroughly enjoyed this anthology; my favourite piece was “A Bajan Love Story” and hopefully I get to listen to the audible version.

[lostcupofstars · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something in this didn’t connect for me; it’s so short but I found myself struggling to get through it.

[Ronnie Murrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exhilarating glimpse into the village life on the tropical island of Barbados. I give it 5 stars.

[Lena Cheyanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't love this book. It was just a short collection of little things happening in this village.

[MariaR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read! Very interesting short stories.

[Toni Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of 5 Bajan stories!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different short stories of the lives of the residents of Catspraddle Village. A Bajan Love Story - chapter 3 was my favorite👌🏾.

[Peta · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a collection of stories that leaves me wanting more. It's a good thing for me regarding a well-done collection. Review Here ->https://youtu.be/wkxSWOl5Pks