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Victoria
Rummaging through her grandfather's books in search of information about an unusual antique doll, Fawn unearths a dark family secret--a heinous crime best left forgotten--that leads to a string of horrifying accidents
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
9 people are currently reading
452 people want to read
About the author
Ruby Jean Jensen
39 books210 followers
Ruby Jean Jensen
Born McDonald County, Missouri, USA, March 1, 1927
Died November 16, 2010
Website http://www.rubyjeanjensen.com
Twitter RubyJeanJensen1
Facebook www.facebook.com/Rjjhorror
Ruby Jean Jensen authored 30 published and 4 not yet published novels, and over 200 short stories. Her passion for writing developed at an early age, and she worked for many years to develop her writing skills. After having many short stories published, in 1974 the novel The House that Samael Built was accepted for publication. She then quickly established herself as a professional author, with representation by a Literary Agent from New York. She subsequently sold 29 more novels to several New York publishing houses. After four Gothic Romance, three Occult and then three Horror novels, MaMa was published by Zebra books in 1983. With Zebra, Ruby Jean completed nineteen more novels in the Horror genre.
Ruby was involved with creative writing groups for many years, and she often took the time to encourage young authors and to reply to fan mail.
Ruby Jean, a supreme story-teller, quickly captures and holds your attention. Her books, written for adults, are also suitable for adolescents and young adults. She continues to have an enthusiastic following in the Horror genre.
Born McDonald County, Missouri, USA, March 1, 1927
Died November 16, 2010
Website http://www.rubyjeanjensen.com
Twitter RubyJeanJensen1
Facebook www.facebook.com/Rjjhorror
Ruby Jean Jensen authored 30 published and 4 not yet published novels, and over 200 short stories. Her passion for writing developed at an early age, and she worked for many years to develop her writing skills. After having many short stories published, in 1974 the novel The House that Samael Built was accepted for publication. She then quickly established herself as a professional author, with representation by a Literary Agent from New York. She subsequently sold 29 more novels to several New York publishing houses. After four Gothic Romance, three Occult and then three Horror novels, MaMa was published by Zebra books in 1983. With Zebra, Ruby Jean completed nineteen more novels in the Horror genre.
Ruby was involved with creative writing groups for many years, and she often took the time to encourage young authors and to reply to fan mail.
Ruby Jean, a supreme story-teller, quickly captures and holds your attention. Her books, written for adults, are also suitable for adolescents and young adults. She continues to have an enthusiastic following in the Horror genre.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 13, 2016
Fawn returns home with her two children after being away for eighteen years. She discovers, upon her arrival, that her beloved grandfather has just died. On the day of the funeral her kids are out back behind the house, looking around, and find an old, locked trunk in a junk pile, obviously meant to be taken away with the trash. Eleven-year-old Andy and eight-year-old Susan break it open and find a beautiful antique doll inside the trunk which is made up to look like a coffin. Andy finds the doll weird and creepy, but Susan instantly falls in love with it. Later, the housekeeper, Martha, tells them all that grandfather gave her instructions before he died not to open the trunk and to have it destroyed. Fawn's sister, Laura, works at Antique Village, and there is a valuable and popular antique doll there on display called Victoria, which is identical to this doll---this doll they found in the trunk has a nametag and is called Millicent. Victoria was given to grandfather's sister on her eleventh birthday, two days before her tragic death from a fall. Fawn and Laura find it strange that they never heard of this twin doll, Millicent.
Not long after this, many horrible accidents begin happening. Laura is in a car crash while taking the doll (Millicent) to and from Antique Village. Various members of the household are having accidents and dying, always with the doll nearby. Why is there another twin doll named Millicent? Why did grandfather want it destroyed? Why does the doll seem to turn up in different rooms and places in the house without anybody moving it? Whose footsteps do they hear upstairs at night?
This was a good, creepy read, mostly set in a dark, old mansion. I had a hard time putting this book down. I really wanted to know what was going to happen next. I've never read a thriller with an evil doll in it before. This was an eerie read with a great spooky atmosphere. Good book to read around Halloween!
Not long after this, many horrible accidents begin happening. Laura is in a car crash while taking the doll (Millicent) to and from Antique Village. Various members of the household are having accidents and dying, always with the doll nearby. Why is there another twin doll named Millicent? Why did grandfather want it destroyed? Why does the doll seem to turn up in different rooms and places in the house without anybody moving it? Whose footsteps do they hear upstairs at night?
This was a good, creepy read, mostly set in a dark, old mansion. I had a hard time putting this book down. I really wanted to know what was going to happen next. I've never read a thriller with an evil doll in it before. This was an eerie read with a great spooky atmosphere. Good book to read around Halloween!
May 17, 2020
3.5 stars
Fawn and her two children return to Fawn's childhood home. She has been estranged from her family since she left home as a teenager but she comes back because her grandfather, who raised her and her sister, is on his deathbed.
After the funeral of their grandfather, the sisters reconnect and Fawn decides to stay. Her children find an old doll that it turns out grandfather had wanted to be disposed of. No one can understand why, seeing as he was such a collector of antiques and even had an identical doll on display in his collection. What is the story behind this doll and why is this family marked with a string of tragedies?
Once again RJJ has come up with some unique elements for another 'creepy doll' story. I particularly liked the backstory of the family and the dolls. This story really had some great moments and I think I would have rated it higher but unfortunately some of the plot relied too much on the poor decision-making of the characters! But there was some great creepiness, tension and emotion...along with some violence and a crazy climax!
Fawn and her two children return to Fawn's childhood home. She has been estranged from her family since she left home as a teenager but she comes back because her grandfather, who raised her and her sister, is on his deathbed.
After the funeral of their grandfather, the sisters reconnect and Fawn decides to stay. Her children find an old doll that it turns out grandfather had wanted to be disposed of. No one can understand why, seeing as he was such a collector of antiques and even had an identical doll on display in his collection. What is the story behind this doll and why is this family marked with a string of tragedies?
Once again RJJ has come up with some unique elements for another 'creepy doll' story. I particularly liked the backstory of the family and the dolls. This story really had some great moments and I think I would have rated it higher but unfortunately some of the plot relied too much on the poor decision-making of the characters! But there was some great creepiness, tension and emotion...along with some violence and a crazy climax!
October 5, 2017
This is what I call a true vintage gothic horror story, without the gore. I could hardly put the book down. ~~~~~~Contains language
October 20, 2021
A very well written creepy doll book. Loved everything about it. Highly recommend.
January 6, 2015
I love anything by Ruby Jean Jensen. This book was even autographed. Though the author has passed away, her legacy of being the Queen of horror novels lives on! Mostly her books are about dolls or toys coming back to life or evil and strange children doing ugly things. Loved this book and all the others.
November 22, 2025
I fell in loved with this book. One of my five star reads.
The cover was not so great for me but the story was superb in my own opinion. It was just like a 70s horror with gothic drama and creepy horror scenes.
Victoria was about twin dolls which have a dark past during 1800s. In the story, Jill our main character wants to find out the reason why their grandad inherited them those precious dolls --- Victoria and Millicent. Its up to her to dig through about the past of two dolls and a series of murders.
The cover was not so great for me but the story was superb in my own opinion. It was just like a 70s horror with gothic drama and creepy horror scenes.
Victoria was about twin dolls which have a dark past during 1800s. In the story, Jill our main character wants to find out the reason why their grandad inherited them those precious dolls --- Victoria and Millicent. Its up to her to dig through about the past of two dolls and a series of murders.
January 30, 2024
A family secret, evil dolls. Ruby Jean Jensen weaves a tale of terror that will keep you turning each page.
September 17, 2020
Classic Ruby Jean Jensen. I read it nightly before bed, and this was one creepy doll!
August 31, 2025
It’s just a doll, right..? Wrong. This RJJ novel was a great page-turner. From the moment of the first incident, I was on edge for whatever happened next and I loved that feeling. Waiting and hoping for the terrified family to courageously share their experiences and piece together the mystery behind the tragic deaths occurring within the walls of their own home was absolutely white-knuckling. Great little thriller that dares to get dirt (and blood) under its porcelain-perfect little nails.
May 16, 2020
I love this book! Even though it gave me nightmares while I was reading it.
April 4, 2020
Turns out if you find a creepy-looking doll on the side of the road, the chances of it being a murderous doll intent on killing you with a hammer go up substantially.
February 19, 2024
Another classic doll horror story from, in my opinion, the Queen of the genre. Ruby's books are the definition of "cozy horror" to me and I mean that as a compliment.
Her stories have such a timeless feel to them despite being set when she wrote them (with flashbacks to the early 1900s and even 1800s depending on the book).
I will say, that with this story, you will find yourself wanting to scream at the stupid decisions made by some of the characters. But characters making dumb choices is a trademark of the horror genre lol.
Her stories have such a timeless feel to them despite being set when she wrote them (with flashbacks to the early 1900s and even 1800s depending on the book).
I will say, that with this story, you will find yourself wanting to scream at the stupid decisions made by some of the characters. But characters making dumb choices is a trademark of the horror genre lol.
March 14, 2023
Victoria
Ruby Jean Jensen is a great horror author and her loss is felt when I read each book. This is a great horror story and I highly recommend to any horror fan.
Ruby Jean Jensen is a great horror author and her loss is felt when I read each book. This is a great horror story and I highly recommend to any horror fan.
July 30, 2024
My first vintage paperback horror book from this Arthur. The story was fast pace, I couldn't put it down.
March 14, 2022
I don't remember how or when I acquired this book. Did someone give it to me? Did I find it used at a bookstore and thought, "This looks horrible and wonderful all at once, so I absolutely need it"? I find it strange I can't remember, but that's okay. I suppose how I acquired the book isn't important, because what ultimately stands out is how much I adored this trash-fest of a book.
This might have been the book that reignited my love for all things creepy dolls. I mean, killer dolls and deep, dark family secrets? It's the ultimate cheesy "horror" novel, V. C. Andrews style...but better. Because it's legitimately creepy, not JUST fucked up. So anyway, I loved this. It was the first book I'd read like this in a very long time, and it riveted me from the start. I can only take so much of books like these at a time, but they're enjoyable when I'm in the mood for them.
Anyway, if you want a sinister, atmospheric, and seriously fucked up book about a creepy doll, I suggest this. Assuming you can find it. And assuming you like a healthy dose of cheese in your horror. It's your standard 80s horror that wouldn't fly for shelves today, but that are nostalgic the same way horror films from the 80s are, and they still hold up.
This might have been the book that reignited my love for all things creepy dolls. I mean, killer dolls and deep, dark family secrets? It's the ultimate cheesy "horror" novel, V. C. Andrews style...but better. Because it's legitimately creepy, not JUST fucked up. So anyway, I loved this. It was the first book I'd read like this in a very long time, and it riveted me from the start. I can only take so much of books like these at a time, but they're enjoyable when I'm in the mood for them.
Anyway, if you want a sinister, atmospheric, and seriously fucked up book about a creepy doll, I suggest this. Assuming you can find it. And assuming you like a healthy dose of cheese in your horror. It's your standard 80s horror that wouldn't fly for shelves today, but that are nostalgic the same way horror films from the 80s are, and they still hold up.
December 19, 2019
What a beautiful doll! And to think that it was almost destroyed. Laura soon realized that this doll was almost identical to the one at the antique store. She slowly began to realize that somehow the doll itself must be involved, and digging into history reinforced this. This is Ruby Jean's third in a series of evil doll books, and she seduces you to set aside your perceptions of reality and accept that perhaps there is evil that is difficult to contain.
September 24, 2014
Victoria had me on the edge of my seat, like all Ruby Jean Jensen novels, throughout the whole story.
Ruby is a master of horror, always giving me chills and leaves me with my mouth hanging open, and Victoria was no different.
I sincerely wish Ms Jensen was still putting out books as they never cease to leave me having nightmares!
Ruby is a master of horror, always giving me chills and leaves me with my mouth hanging open, and Victoria was no different.
I sincerely wish Ms Jensen was still putting out books as they never cease to leave me having nightmares!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews