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Death Stone
Greta and Derek fished the ring out of an abandoned well. It was gold with a dark red jewel that seemed to ripple with streaks of fire. Greta loved the ring so much that she traded Derek her pearl-handled knife for it. Never mind that it was too big for her finger, nine-year-old Greta knew how to pad the ring with tape so that it fit just so.
And that was when the strange feeling began to haunt Greta. The terrifying feeling that someone was following her. A shadowy someone who whispered in Greta's ear, urging her to kill. Then the murders began. Just as the unknown someone started to become visible...
And that was when the strange feeling began to haunt Greta. The terrifying feeling that someone was following her. A shadowy someone who whispered in Greta's ear, urging her to kill. Then the murders began. Just as the unknown someone started to become visible...
315 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1989
3 people are currently reading
212 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 30, 2020
Greta and Derek (nine-year-old cousins) are playing outside in the grass in an area near their homes that they were told not to play when they find an old, abandoned well with a lid on it. After they open it up, Derek decides he wants to go fishing in it. After fishing for a while, he brings up an old ring. Greta immediately falls in love with it and must have it. Derek’s brother Kenny eventually finds them and sees what they are doing. After they bring an old piece of cloth up from the well Kenny tells his mother and they eventually call the police. They later discover human bones in the well. Who could it have been? How did they get in the well? Was it murder?
Greta keeps the ring a secret (wearing it backwards on her finger so no one sees it) because she doesn’t want to give it up. She is also starting to hear a voice talking to her, telling her to do bad things. Where is the voice coming from, or is it in her head? And she feels an evil presence. Then the murders begin…
Wow, Ruby Jean Jensen really knew how to write spooky, atmospheric books that could give you the creeps! It was so captivating, I had a hard time putting this book down, I really wanted to see what was going to happen next. I felt bad and worried for little Greta. I found the characters interesting and the storyline was different. The setting in the small community was good. The malevolent presence following Greta around was totally chilling.
A really good horror story. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Greta keeps the ring a secret (wearing it backwards on her finger so no one sees it) because she doesn’t want to give it up. She is also starting to hear a voice talking to her, telling her to do bad things. Where is the voice coming from, or is it in her head? And she feels an evil presence. Then the murders begin…
Wow, Ruby Jean Jensen really knew how to write spooky, atmospheric books that could give you the creeps! It was so captivating, I had a hard time putting this book down, I really wanted to see what was going to happen next. I felt bad and worried for little Greta. I found the characters interesting and the storyline was different. The setting in the small community was good. The malevolent presence following Greta around was totally chilling.
A really good horror story. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
September 17, 2021
I know not every RJJ novel can be a winner, but this one really fell short for me. All the usual tropes you find in her novels are here: kids dying, impending evil, a mystery at the heart of the story. At a slim 315 pages, I felt like 50 pages could’ve been trimmed. There’s a lot of filler throughout, and it seemed like many of the characters had a serious case of ADD. Descriptions of clothing or the process of opening pet food and portioning it into bowls, and other assorted nonsense were plentiful. Focus, Ruby, focus! The conclusion was anticlimactic since the reader already has a good idea of who’s behind the shenanigans from the beginning. There’s little suspense, too, which I found surprising. RJJ always knows how to ramp up the tension, but it felt lackluster here. If you’re just starting out with Ruby’s novels, give this one a pass and try Lost and Found or Celia first. Like I said, they can’t all be winners.
July 27, 2021
4.4 stars!
Shakespeare wrote, "All's well that ends well". The Bard was spot on, but he didn't factor in Ruby Jean Jensen's story that begins in a well!
Fishing in a well, 9 year old cousins snag a ring, a slimy piece of fabric, embroidered with blue roses, torn pantyhose's, a skeleton and a diabolical presence.
Ruby Jean Jensen crafts a scary mystery. Jensen grafts suburban "skeletons in closets" onto premenstrual, post modern fright-mares, sibling rivalries and parental favoritism. Subtract marital love. Add a mysterious blood red gemstone gold ring, a murderous shade monster, creepy children and watch the terror unfold.
4.4 Stars rounded down to four, for a few minor annoyances. That said, Death Stone never disappoints. Jensen plums the depths of suburban family behavior run amok, exacerbated by an evil Hobbit ring energy. I especially like the ring wraith shade. Definite must for fans of schizophrenic fiends.
Shakespeare wrote, "All's well that ends well". The Bard was spot on, but he didn't factor in Ruby Jean Jensen's story that begins in a well!
Fishing in a well, 9 year old cousins snag a ring, a slimy piece of fabric, embroidered with blue roses, torn pantyhose's, a skeleton and a diabolical presence.
Ruby Jean Jensen crafts a scary mystery. Jensen grafts suburban "skeletons in closets" onto premenstrual, post modern fright-mares, sibling rivalries and parental favoritism. Subtract marital love. Add a mysterious blood red gemstone gold ring, a murderous shade monster, creepy children and watch the terror unfold.
4.4 Stars rounded down to four, for a few minor annoyances. That said, Death Stone never disappoints. Jensen plums the depths of suburban family behavior run amok, exacerbated by an evil Hobbit ring energy. I especially like the ring wraith shade. Definite must for fans of schizophrenic fiends.
October 27, 2019
I had become drawn to Ruby Jean Jensen after reading Grady Hendrix's Paperbacks of Horror so I decided to purchase one of her books to give it a try and I am glad I did. This book was fantastic and I love the way it is written. After the remains of a young girl are found in a well a pair of kids unknownly unlease a great evil that begins striking at the ones they love. Fantastic book!
December 7, 2024
The first 3/4 of this book were drawn out and long. The last 25% of this book, kicked it up a notch and kept you guessing. It wasn't enough to save the book. I have read other books by Ruby Jean Jensen, and have liked them. I plan on reading another one of her books, in the near further. Any suggestions?
September 22, 2019
Greta and Derek innocently fished the ring out of the old well, but this started a deadly chain of events. Holds your attention from start to finish! A very good story, moves along briskly, with plenty of twists.
February 10, 2023
Grownups never believed kids very often anyway. It’s your imagination, they said.
What would you be willing to do to possess a ring so beautiful, so unique, so cursed it can cause you to kill even your loved ones for a chance for it to claim your soul? For fifteen years old Adriene Pattison, she would cross that threshold when she murdered her older lovers own mother for the greed worthy jewelry. Beating seventy year old woman Sally Crossover to death with a fire poker in her bedroom, Adriene felt the true powers and tug from that ring as the shadows whispered and urged her on to the senseless beating. When Milton Crossover arrived home from work later that evening to discover his mother deceased, it wasn't long before a thirty three year old mystery would find itself buried in a well on the property of Jonah Pattison.kcked the memories far from his older daughter Alyne and Clare, he beat eldest daughter Adriene to death after discovering her relationship to Milton and about the murders she committed. As Alyne struggled to unlock her own memory of the beautiful red haired girl in the blue rose dress, their own children might've just uncovered something that should've been left alone. None year old Greta and Derek were palting as usual beflr they stumbled upon the old and decaying well. Deciding to play and fish in the depths, Derek uncovered the blood red ring before fishing up a piece of a stained dress. Decorated with blue roses, it left a sour taste in everyone's mouths, especially Milton and Jonah. As Greta takes the ring and secured it to her finger with tape, odd things began happening. Bruises appeared on her face, and a dark presence begins hanging over the little girl. With the involvement of Detective Sergeant Conrad Donally, the remains of the fifteen year old girl were brought to the surface after decades being lost.
No, don’t look in. Cover it. Cover it and leave it alone.’
Where was the hair that had grown on the top of the head? Where was the ribbon that had tied it back?
You’re being a fool, Milton. This is ridiculous. She’s only a child. I’ve wondered when you would show your real self. You have hidden it from me all these years, haven’t you, Milton? Why can’t you be interested in a woman your own age? Why can’t you act like a man, and marry and have your own children? Then you will see what it is I’m talking about. I’m getting so I don’t trust you to be alone anymore. How can I take my cruises, if I can’t trust you?’
Hiding the ring from her family, Greta is first amazed by the glowing and extravagant lights that seemed alive within the ring, before that attraction turned to a guy wrenching terror. As she begins hearing the whispers from seemingly everywhere, she struggles to resist the calls it makes to kill her loved ones and those who happen to be close to her. As the once vibrant girl because drawn in and reclusive, those around her seem to be meeting very similar fates. Older cousin Kenny happened to glance out his bedroom window around three am to see his younger cousin Greta standing still in the darkness. Shaken up and troubled by the dead stare on her face, he approaches her where he sees the shadow looking over her. Seeming to aquire a head and claw like hands it strikes him, causing an immediate death before he even hit the ground. Seemingly awakened form her trance like dtdtae, Great begins screaming with please of how she killed Kenny. Yet the medical examiner believes it was a weak vessel in the brain causing a spontaneous and instantaneous death at random. Trying to soothe the little girl, Detective Donally discovers the darkness hues of fresh and healing bruises across her face as well as dried blood from her ear. Believing someone in the family to be abusive, he keeps his suspicious thoughts to himself until sixteen year old Stephanie also passes away from a similar weak vein hemorrhage. Yet what Milton saw the day Stephanie died was far from a simple medical anomaly, he saw the primal fear in her eyes as she watched behind her, as she was maliciously pushed from behind leading her to a hard impact head first on the concrete. With another death in the family, Clare watches her husband Phillip become distant after losing his shining star daughter. Ignoring the other child he had, he packed up and vanished leaving Clare alone with the daughter claiming she's killed twice. Leaving something to fear, as before the night ended Clare would also see the shadow come to life as how own death looms ever closer.
You’ll be sorry ... sorry ... sorry ...Daddy, don't go, Daddy, don’t leave me ... Daddy ... Daddy ... Daddy ...
After losing his daughter, Jonah finds himself sinking deeper into a depression he never experienced before. As other daughter Alyne begins seeing more visions of Adriene, the truth becomes so clear it'll eventually lead to her death as well. Choosing to confront Milton for his relationship with his daughter, Jonah rips the ring from Greta's finger before falling victim to the same monster that's killed his entire family. With Milton sitting behind bars facing a lifetime of imprisonment in either a jail cell or a psychiatric hospital, the only thing he cries about is the shadow and the girl who is true evil. Even in death.
You killed ... you murdered an old woman for this ... a ring?No ... no! ... I hate you ... I didn’t!There’s blood. Blood on the stone. Here ... keep it ... and be damned ... damned ...No! I didn’t! He ... he did ... he! He gave it to me ...There’s blood on your hands, damn you to hell ...The hand struck her face again and again, and she tasted blood in her mouth, a sweetish, sickening, thick substance. Red. She tasted the color red. And as the hand struck her head again, she saw colors behind her eyes, flashing like neons on a downtown street, blurred behind a sheet of tears that was like rain, falling and blending with the red and with the greens, blues, and reds of the neons.You’ll be sorry, she screamed, lashing back. You’ll be sorry!
What would you be willing to do to possess a ring so beautiful, so unique, so cursed it can cause you to kill even your loved ones for a chance for it to claim your soul? For fifteen years old Adriene Pattison, she would cross that threshold when she murdered her older lovers own mother for the greed worthy jewelry. Beating seventy year old woman Sally Crossover to death with a fire poker in her bedroom, Adriene felt the true powers and tug from that ring as the shadows whispered and urged her on to the senseless beating. When Milton Crossover arrived home from work later that evening to discover his mother deceased, it wasn't long before a thirty three year old mystery would find itself buried in a well on the property of Jonah Pattison.kcked the memories far from his older daughter Alyne and Clare, he beat eldest daughter Adriene to death after discovering her relationship to Milton and about the murders she committed. As Alyne struggled to unlock her own memory of the beautiful red haired girl in the blue rose dress, their own children might've just uncovered something that should've been left alone. None year old Greta and Derek were palting as usual beflr they stumbled upon the old and decaying well. Deciding to play and fish in the depths, Derek uncovered the blood red ring before fishing up a piece of a stained dress. Decorated with blue roses, it left a sour taste in everyone's mouths, especially Milton and Jonah. As Greta takes the ring and secured it to her finger with tape, odd things began happening. Bruises appeared on her face, and a dark presence begins hanging over the little girl. With the involvement of Detective Sergeant Conrad Donally, the remains of the fifteen year old girl were brought to the surface after decades being lost.
No, don’t look in. Cover it. Cover it and leave it alone.’
Where was the hair that had grown on the top of the head? Where was the ribbon that had tied it back?
You’re being a fool, Milton. This is ridiculous. She’s only a child. I’ve wondered when you would show your real self. You have hidden it from me all these years, haven’t you, Milton? Why can’t you be interested in a woman your own age? Why can’t you act like a man, and marry and have your own children? Then you will see what it is I’m talking about. I’m getting so I don’t trust you to be alone anymore. How can I take my cruises, if I can’t trust you?’
Hiding the ring from her family, Greta is first amazed by the glowing and extravagant lights that seemed alive within the ring, before that attraction turned to a guy wrenching terror. As she begins hearing the whispers from seemingly everywhere, she struggles to resist the calls it makes to kill her loved ones and those who happen to be close to her. As the once vibrant girl because drawn in and reclusive, those around her seem to be meeting very similar fates. Older cousin Kenny happened to glance out his bedroom window around three am to see his younger cousin Greta standing still in the darkness. Shaken up and troubled by the dead stare on her face, he approaches her where he sees the shadow looking over her. Seeming to aquire a head and claw like hands it strikes him, causing an immediate death before he even hit the ground. Seemingly awakened form her trance like dtdtae, Great begins screaming with please of how she killed Kenny. Yet the medical examiner believes it was a weak vessel in the brain causing a spontaneous and instantaneous death at random. Trying to soothe the little girl, Detective Donally discovers the darkness hues of fresh and healing bruises across her face as well as dried blood from her ear. Believing someone in the family to be abusive, he keeps his suspicious thoughts to himself until sixteen year old Stephanie also passes away from a similar weak vein hemorrhage. Yet what Milton saw the day Stephanie died was far from a simple medical anomaly, he saw the primal fear in her eyes as she watched behind her, as she was maliciously pushed from behind leading her to a hard impact head first on the concrete. With another death in the family, Clare watches her husband Phillip become distant after losing his shining star daughter. Ignoring the other child he had, he packed up and vanished leaving Clare alone with the daughter claiming she's killed twice. Leaving something to fear, as before the night ended Clare would also see the shadow come to life as how own death looms ever closer.
You’ll be sorry ... sorry ... sorry ...Daddy, don't go, Daddy, don’t leave me ... Daddy ... Daddy ... Daddy ...
After losing his daughter, Jonah finds himself sinking deeper into a depression he never experienced before. As other daughter Alyne begins seeing more visions of Adriene, the truth becomes so clear it'll eventually lead to her death as well. Choosing to confront Milton for his relationship with his daughter, Jonah rips the ring from Greta's finger before falling victim to the same monster that's killed his entire family. With Milton sitting behind bars facing a lifetime of imprisonment in either a jail cell or a psychiatric hospital, the only thing he cries about is the shadow and the girl who is true evil. Even in death.
You killed ... you murdered an old woman for this ... a ring?No ... no! ... I hate you ... I didn’t!There’s blood. Blood on the stone. Here ... keep it ... and be damned ... damned ...No! I didn’t! He ... he did ... he! He gave it to me ...There’s blood on your hands, damn you to hell ...The hand struck her face again and again, and she tasted blood in her mouth, a sweetish, sickening, thick substance. Red. She tasted the color red. And as the hand struck her head again, she saw colors behind her eyes, flashing like neons on a downtown street, blurred behind a sheet of tears that was like rain, falling and blending with the red and with the greens, blues, and reds of the neons.You’ll be sorry, she screamed, lashing back. You’ll be sorry!
January 15, 2023
cw: child endangerment, child SA, queerphobic implications
Published about six months after her last book, this must have been a contractual obligation. It was just bad. The writing is super clunky and unpolished. A big disappointment compared to Jensen's other books. Some of the tension around Greta was okay, but not enough to save this one.
Published about six months after her last book, this must have been a contractual obligation. It was just bad. The writing is super clunky and unpolished. A big disappointment compared to Jensen's other books. Some of the tension around Greta was okay, but not enough to save this one.
December 21, 2021
First Ruby Jean Jensen novel. Pretty good, kept me guessing right up till the end. 3.5 but I’ll round up to 4 stars for Goodreads. Antagonist is highly predictable but the whole twist isn’t. Good read.
November 13, 2007
A quick read with an intriguing mystery and a dark, murderous evil that knows no bounds.
July 27, 2020
Interesting story, but somewhat slow. Kept me interested enough to finish the book.
November 12, 2023
I loved this one so much! She realpy knows how to write a good creepy story and I'm here for it.
February 19, 2024
This was the very first horror book I ever read, as a young teenager, and so "Death Stone" has extreme sentimental value to me. It may not be the most plausable storyline, and there are several glaring plot-holes. For example, if Greta is really 9 years old, how can she not be smart enough to realize the the ring is BAD and is killing people? Take it off your finger girl! Hello! Even children have deductive reasoning and powers of observation. I remember buying this book at a local drugstore or supermarket just because the cover artwork was so intriguing. My mom hid it from me for awhile because of its horror content, and I was so young, but I found its hiding place and finished the book, eventually graduating on to "Pet Semetary" (the first Stephen King book I ever read!) Sometimes forbidden fruit can be the sweetest.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews