By Brittany Murrain | Author Update

Some stories were told to entertain us. Others were told to keep us alive.

If you grew up in the Caribbean, chances are you heard at least one warning from your parents or grandparents that you never quite understood.

Don't whistle after dark.

Don't answer when you hear someone calling your name at night.

Don't accept food from just anyone.

And if you encounter something strange on a lonely road, keep walking.

These weren't always explained to us. Sometimes, all we received was a stern look and the familiar words, "Just listen to what I'm telling you."

But behind those warnings were stories. Stories of mysterious encounters, restless spirits, supernatural creatures, and things that supposedly walked among us long before we were born.

Those stories are the inspiration behind my latest release, The Things the Elders Warned Us About, now available on Amazon Kindle!

Bringing Caribbean Folklore Back to Life

Growing up in the Caribbean means growing up surrounded by stories that have been passed down from one generation to the next.

Some were whispered on verandas after sunset. Others were shared by grandparents who insisted that what they were telling you wasn't fiction, but something that had actually happened.

And perhaps the most frightening part was how confidently they told those stories.

They didn't always say, "I heard about someone who saw this."

Sometimes, they said, "I knew someone it happened to."

With The Things the Elders Warned Us About, I wanted to capture that same feeling of unease. The kind that makes you question whether the stories you dismissed as a child might have contained a little more truth than you realized.

Familiar Legends. New Nightmares.

This collection draws inspiration from the supernatural beliefs, mysterious encounters, and chilling legends that have shaped Caribbean storytelling for generations.

From frightening encounters along deserted roads to strange visitors and warnings about accepting gifts from the wrong person, each story explores what can happen when curiosity overpowers caution.

You'll encounter tales inspired by figures such as the Lagahoo, the mysterious Moongazer, and other unsettling elements of Caribbean folklore.

But these aren't simply retellings of the stories our elders shared.

I've taken those familiar warnings and imagined new characters, new encounters, and terrifying consequences for those who refuse to listen.

Because sometimes, the person who laughs at a warning is the one who discovers why it existed in the first place.

More Than Just Ghost Stories

For me, this book is also about preserving a part of Caribbean culture.

Our folklore is filled with imagination, mystery, and traditions that deserve to continue reaching new generations.

Long before horror movies and supernatural thrillers became part of our entertainment, our grandparents were already telling stories capable of keeping an entire household awake at night.

They didn't need special effects.

All they needed was a quiet evening, a convincing voice, and a story that began with, "Something happened to somebody I know..."

I wanted to bring that storytelling tradition into my writing while giving readers something fresh, unsettling, and distinctly Caribbean.

Whether you grew up hearing these legends or you're discovering them for the first time, I hope this collection introduces you to a side of Caribbean culture that is as fascinating as it is frightening.

THE THINGS THE ELDERS WARNED US ABOUT — AVAILABLE NOW!

I'm excited to share that The Things the Elders Warned Us About is officially available on Amazon Kindle!

If you love supernatural horror, Caribbean legends, eerie encounters, and stories with endings that stay with you long after you've finished reading, this collection is for you.

And once you've read it, I'd love to know which story frightened you the most.

Even better, I'd love to hear the warnings you grew up hearing from your own parents and grandparents. You never know which one might inspire my next story.

Thank you for continuing to support my journey as an author and for giving me the opportunity to share stories inspired by the culture and traditions that shaped me.

Some warnings were never meant to be questioned.

Some stories were never meant to be forgotten.

And some things the elders warned us about... were very real to them.

Happy reading, and remember — sometimes it's better to listen to your elders.

Brittany Murrain

Author of The Things the Elders Warned Us About