"Kingstown Burning is your favorite pastry with extra filling, you are thinking this is going good and somewhere in the middle you are awed, because you get to transcend into a paranormal, folklore realm that’s exactly what you live to read. Rachelle Gray delivers Caribbean mastery enveloped in Rastafari livity, that is a blessing worth reading more than once."
Kingstown Burning
A Novel
Marley Cadogan, a socialite media personality, and her two bona fides—Nubya, a sought-after fashion designer, and I-Am, a spiritual herbalist—find themselves caught in the crossfire of a regional ganja war on the southern Caribbean island of Barbados.
Their journey spans across Barbadian gullies and ghettos, ultimately rolling into the limelight of Marley’s public world. Now she must question her loyalty to her beliefs, and with her squad, set out on a quest that will determine if there can be honor amongst thieves.
A lapse in judgment leads Judah, a strong, fiery soul, to move in the wrong direction. Now Judah is being hunted. His wife, Nubya, is discovered to be keeping secrets, and her best friend, Marley, seeks out an Obeah Man for protection, only to uncover a deeply buried truth.
I-Am and her trigger-ready brother, Shotta Forward, gear up to disrupt the fragile harmony of the streets in a thrilling mix that moves along a mystical timeline on a tropical paradise. Marley, I-Am, and Nubya inadvertently discover what they are made of and are left to determine if that makes them heroes or villains.
"I thoroughly appreciate that Gray did not centre this narrative on the movement of the herb across land and sea. She takes the time to build her characters, introduce us to their lives and motivations, as well as highlight the natural world influences, impacts and is a major pillar in the lives of Rastafarians."
- @2treads
Events
News | Press
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
BCLF ELIZABETH NUNEZ AWARDS 2022 SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED.
Writer Rachelle J. Gray shortlisted for BCLF 2022 Awards.
Sunday, July 17, 2022
Caribbean Book Foundation: Author Interview
Kingstown Burning is your favorite pastry with extra filling, you are thinking this is going good and somewhere in the middle you are awed, because you get to transcend into a paranormal, folklore realm that’s exactly what you live to read. Rachelle Gray delivers Caribbean mastery enveloped in Rastafari livity, that is a blessing worth reading more than once.
Monday, July 11, 2022
9 Authors Whose Books Should Be on Your Summer TBR List
What’s summer without a reading list? Since publishing my debut novel, I have had the pleasure of meeting other authors who, like myself, went off-script career-wise to venture into the world of writing. While space (and holding my audience’s attention) does not allow me to list everyone I’ve met along the way, I do suggest you check out these nine writers listed here. Not only are their journeys and books inspiring, but I have a feeling that your next favorite read might be listed right below.
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
James Murua's Literature Blog: Book Digest
We wrap up book news for our readers in our regular Book Digest feature with books from Rachelle J. Gray, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, Orlando Taylor, Tuelo Gabonewe.
Monday, August 9, 2021
Rachelle J. Gray Short Story Sativa is Longlisted for BCLF 2021 Awards
Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival Elizabeth Nunez Awards 2021 Longlists Annuonced...
"I loved that the book was authentic to Bajan culture and dialect. I think those elements are so important to highlight in Caribbean literature and Rachelle nailed it."