Greetings From The Barracuda Hotel by Ronaldo Katwaroo is a collection of tales that cover some seriously horrific ground; from grisly murder and spiders that are too numerous and far too large, to a voice calling from the sea and a dog who isn’t just a dog, you never knew what to expect!
Inside this collection also lives my favorite tale from Ronaldo so far. Readers, prepare yourselves for what lies within the text of Stegodyphus.
Let’s dive in!
My Thoughts on Greetings From The Barracuda Hotel by Ronaldo Katwaroo –
This is a collection of some seriously horrific tales! I’m obsessed with how these stories all intertwine! From just small mentions to bigger notes, this makes the read even more fun! Throughout the collection I had a special interest in the cotton candy vendor… and well, as you’ll see if you keep reading this review, I regretted that.
I’m TERRIFIED of flying on a plane. Knowing I had a trip coming up, I saved this collection. Thank goodness I did. I barely noticed I was on a plane at all, I was so immersed in these tales.
Though my apologies again to the very sweet great-grandmother I was sat next to who looked at the text during a rather extra horrific scene… 🙂
Introduction –
Ronaldo’s introduction kicks off with a very important note that more people need to hear. The unjust systems of the world need to be called out and the powers that be need to be kept in check! The unfairness of it all is just blood boiling.
Making Conversation –
Dropped into a scene of terror, we meet a newlywed man who is shocked to see all the blood around him… but the shock that’s to come to the reader is a lot more horrific!
What a tale to kick this collection off! I was nervously following along, just waiting to see what would come of this guy. That ending though! And my gosh, the passage about the painting!!
Supernatural Soiree –
Cursing the land and the hibiscus flowers, only one white flower grows once a year. A witch is known to find the special flower each year to make her magic happen. But this year, a mix up sets things all off course very quickly!
THAT ENDING! What happens next?! Oh my gosh I loved this.
Stegodyphus –
While on their honeymoon, this couple just wants to enjoy their time together and have a little adventure… but when fleeing a storm, they end up in a cave, and they’re far from alone.
OH MY GOD!!!! Okay this is one of my favorite stories from this author so far. My gosh. My skin crawled while reading this!
The Talking Man –
Determined to get to explore the beach by himself, this kid reminds his mom that she promised. The second she realizes he’s gone off on his own, she rushes to save him. But save him from what?
This was so chilling! The little comments about the mother being fearful added up so perfectly, that in the scene where she points to a book, my heart started racing.
Soucouyant Shore –
After seeing a shooting star, this lonely guy sees a woman crying and goes to help. He has no idea that she’s not human.
The visuals here! My goodness. I was so nervous to see what was coming next.
Bite Me –
Welcoming her husband home doesn’t go as planned as blood soon colors the waters around them, leaving her scrambling for help.
Holy, this turned so fast! Such a pretty beach scene, even with the stench of rotting seaweed, then bam!
The Ocean Is No Place For Lost Souls Like Yours –
Heading to the island to get footage for a new paranormal show, this woman doesn’t heed the captains warning and smuggles a camera on board and dooms them all.
Ugh! People that don’t listen to the locals! This was terrifying! I need a Creepshow version of this please and thank you!
West Indian Werewolf –
Going to finally meet someone she had met online, she’s shocked to see how hot he is. But there’s something a little off and her inner voice begins nagging, but it’s already too late.
The visuals here again! My gosh, things got gory!
The Bah-Boo Man –
When a sudden storm kicks up while on a field trip, this teacher leaves the kids and their red balloons with the cotton candy man to go find the bus. When the first balloon pops, she knows something is wrong.
Ah I was waiting to see if we’d learn more about the cotton candy man! The tension here was thick from the start and only got worse as the terror dialed up! This was BRUTAL!
Hellhound –
The dog… yesssssss!
Welp… I should not have been this excited. This is going to haunt my nightmares.
The bed scene… oh my gosh.
My Favorite Passages from Greetings From The Barracuda Hotel –
That day both mother and child died good and proper. Amaya bled out. Eerily in sync to the moment when the fire plunged into Layla’s skull and her eyeballs exploded into droopy ounces of paint that plopped to the floor, and hardened on her shoes like candle wax.
— Supernatural Soiree
She stopped, looked at Jesse and took it all in. His eyes, stones of jade that twinkled through the raindrops caught in his brows. Out-sparkled only by the rock weighing down her hand.
— Stegodyphus
His body collapsed into meat slices as his severed head tumbled, echoing on the floor. His body erupted with thousands of wolf spiders that scurried onto her arms and legs, penetrating her body, biting her cheeks, creeping inside the holes in her face.
— Stegodyphus
When the water receded, leaving its wavy strokes on the canvas of sand, mountains of seaweed were left in its wake.
— Bite Me
I guess historically everything was tied into the devil because that was the Christian propaganda being spewed. That’s why I find it so hard to believe these farce folklores. They all tie back to women doing things that aren’t Christian of them and being punished for it. Bullshit, I say. Religious, sexist bullshit.
— The Ocean Is No Place For Lost Souls Like Yours
My Final Thoughts on Greetings From The Barracuda Hotel –
I’m already obsessed with Ronaldo’s work, but this is truly something special. I was absolutely in awe of how these tales all carefeully tied together in one way or another and how fast I fell into each and every one of them. Combine the absolutely perfect pacing of the collection with the fact that we’re getting to see Ronaldo include various bits of Caribbean and Trinidadian culture, and you can’t help but be hooked!
Horror fans, you gotta grab this one ASAP!
Thanks for reading!
Leave a Reply