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House of Illusions
For Amy and Jody, living with the carnival for the summer was great fun--until Jody stepped into the House of Illusions. It was there that she saw the clowns, with their large red noses, floppy shoes--and deadly grins. A hellish nightmare was about to begin. For these clowns craved terrified screams--not gleeful laughter--and were hungry for death!
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1988
18 people are currently reading
790 people want to read
About the author
Ruby Jean Jensen
39 books211 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 - 30 of 44 reviews
December 27, 2025
Two children visit their father Russell at the carnival. He own a grab joint there but soon things are getting mysterious. A pendant is found by the younger girl, she is requested to throw it away because of its bad aura. Amy the elder picks it up and from the on murder and mayhem set in. What is the connection here? Who was the original owner of Mirror House formerly known as House of Illusions? What is strange about India's clown costumes? What really happanes to Lakisha, Blane and the cleaning kid? Extremely spooky tale about an uncanny master of illusions and the scariest clowns ever written about. 80s horror at its best. Highly recommended!
March 6, 2020
HOUSE OF ILLUSIONS, by Ruby Jean Jensen is one of the "creepiest" novels I've read by her. I think a large part of that has to do with demonic clowns in a carnival...especially ones that most people can't see...but then, that could just be me.
The characters were ones I actually cared about. Russel, a carnival worker who hasn't seen his daughters since he left when the youngest was a baby, suddenly finds himself watching them over the summer, since their mother has a new baby and husband (with a child of his own). Russel's character was one that really developed well, in my opinion, and everything to do with he and his daughters--getting to know him for the first time--was so well done and believable.
Of course, the mystery surrounding the HOUSE OF ILLUSIONS starts out strong, and there are some really vivid descriptions and scenes that honestly gave me shivers a few times.
"Some things are better not remembered."
The life of a carnival worker--told through both a child's viewpoint, and the adults--was equally believable. This story was one that I enjoyed thoroughly for about 9/10 of the duration.
Then came the ending, or in my opinion, a very rushed "anti-ending". Yes, "some" things were concluded, but the larger mystery was never really addressed. I think there could have been an entire novel devoted to JUST the House of Illusions, and events that made it what it was. We were left with really no explanation, just an sudden ending that didn't even fit in with the characterization we had read through.
Overall, a great horror novel, with plenty of gruesome scenes and mysteries hinted at. Unfortunately, the last two chapters seemed like someone else just tacked on a hurried end, and didn't tie up any of the loose threads. Still, recommended, as most of the novel was a great read.
The characters were ones I actually cared about. Russel, a carnival worker who hasn't seen his daughters since he left when the youngest was a baby, suddenly finds himself watching them over the summer, since their mother has a new baby and husband (with a child of his own). Russel's character was one that really developed well, in my opinion, and everything to do with he and his daughters--getting to know him for the first time--was so well done and believable.
Of course, the mystery surrounding the HOUSE OF ILLUSIONS starts out strong, and there are some really vivid descriptions and scenes that honestly gave me shivers a few times.
"Some things are better not remembered."
The life of a carnival worker--told through both a child's viewpoint, and the adults--was equally believable. This story was one that I enjoyed thoroughly for about 9/10 of the duration.
Then came the ending, or in my opinion, a very rushed "anti-ending". Yes, "some" things were concluded, but the larger mystery was never really addressed. I think there could have been an entire novel devoted to JUST the House of Illusions, and events that made it what it was. We were left with really no explanation, just an sudden ending that didn't even fit in with the characterization we had read through.
Overall, a great horror novel, with plenty of gruesome scenes and mysteries hinted at. Unfortunately, the last two chapters seemed like someone else just tacked on a hurried end, and didn't tie up any of the loose threads. Still, recommended, as most of the novel was a great read.
March 23, 2016
When I was young and this book was new, I made my mom buy it for me in the supermarket checkout line because the hologram cover was so cool. But in 1988 I never made it past the first chapter. 28 years later I hunted it down on Amazon (for dirt cheap) and made it a mission to finish it.
It kept my interest and I did really enjoy reading it. Cheesy horror, but fun. Some very creepy descriptions and my concern for the characters really made my surprised when they got axed. I really got into the old travelling carnival setting. The ending did happen very fast and I wished that it was fleshed out more. The cover has nothing to do with the plot of the book, by the way. But it is a super fucking cool cover and the lack of relation to the contents didn't make me like the book less.
Looking up the author and finding out that her books are totally out-of-print gave me a strange feeling of excitement to find more of them, even if they are paperback supermarket horror pulp. The covers of her books are all fantastic and eye-popping. I may have just found a new hobby in hunting for Ruby Jean Jensen books for some light, gory vacation reading.
It kept my interest and I did really enjoy reading it. Cheesy horror, but fun. Some very creepy descriptions and my concern for the characters really made my surprised when they got axed. I really got into the old travelling carnival setting. The ending did happen very fast and I wished that it was fleshed out more. The cover has nothing to do with the plot of the book, by the way. But it is a super fucking cool cover and the lack of relation to the contents didn't make me like the book less.
Looking up the author and finding out that her books are totally out-of-print gave me a strange feeling of excitement to find more of them, even if they are paperback supermarket horror pulp. The covers of her books are all fantastic and eye-popping. I may have just found a new hobby in hunting for Ruby Jean Jensen books for some light, gory vacation reading.
June 12, 2012
House of Illusions - Rating: 4 of 5
Justification for why I always hesitated at the door of the "Fun House" and, ultimately, never entered. No justification needed for avoiding clowns, though; they're scary, period.
Here's the skinny:
Amy, eleven years old, and her sister, eight-year-old Jodi, are sent to spend the summer with their father, Russel. No big deal except they haven't seen or talked to him in eight years; neither girl knows what Russel will be like. And Amy is pretty sure their mother doesn't want them anymore. After all, their mom has a new husband, a new baby, and a step-son to love.
But once Russel picks them up and tells them about his job - he owns a "grab joint" (aka hot dog stand) that travels with the carnival - Amy and Jodi begin to feel better about their summer. That is, until strange things start to happen around the carnival. Jodi finds a necklace that was missing for over six decades when its owner also disappeared. Next, Jody and Amy see someone - or something - moving in the shadows outside their trailer at night. Then the carnival's owner, India, hears someone sneaking into her trailer at night even though her door and windows were locked.
And then there's a murder ... one so vicious and shocking no one can believe their eyes. Except India. She's seen a body like that before. An identical murder happened sixty years before in the same carnival -- a murder rumored to involve the owner of that special necklace. So the police get involved, the carnival workers are scared, and all the while the killer is out there, waiting.
Here are my two cents:
This was my first time reading anything by Ruby Jean Jensen. I discovered Jensen after I'd researched stories with haunted dolls (and similar themes) on Goodreads; there were several people who recommended her books. Sadly, since most of her work was published in the 80s, it's been difficult to obtain copies.
House of Illusions was a frightening, fun experience! But then, just the image of a "happy" clown gives me nightmares, so this book was pretty much guaranteed to give me the willies. Plus, Jensen knew how to work the shadows and show just enough to kick imagination into overdrive.
Here's what you might not like:
* Profanity
* Sexual situations
* Violence involving children
* Graphic violence and murder
* The ending doesn't explain what "it" is, not exactly
Final thoughts
Jensen explores a world with which most of us are familiar - a carnival - using characters with whom we can all identify, and knows which "fear" button she wants to push and just when to push it. If clowns don't frighten you, then 90% of this book will fall flat. However, if the mere description of a clown sends chills down your spine, then you should read this ... during the day.
First published on my blog, Unleash the Flying Monkeys!
Justification for why I always hesitated at the door of the "Fun House" and, ultimately, never entered. No justification needed for avoiding clowns, though; they're scary, period.
Here's the skinny:
Amy, eleven years old, and her sister, eight-year-old Jodi, are sent to spend the summer with their father, Russel. No big deal except they haven't seen or talked to him in eight years; neither girl knows what Russel will be like. And Amy is pretty sure their mother doesn't want them anymore. After all, their mom has a new husband, a new baby, and a step-son to love.
But once Russel picks them up and tells them about his job - he owns a "grab joint" (aka hot dog stand) that travels with the carnival - Amy and Jodi begin to feel better about their summer. That is, until strange things start to happen around the carnival. Jodi finds a necklace that was missing for over six decades when its owner also disappeared. Next, Jody and Amy see someone - or something - moving in the shadows outside their trailer at night. Then the carnival's owner, India, hears someone sneaking into her trailer at night even though her door and windows were locked.
And then there's a murder ... one so vicious and shocking no one can believe their eyes. Except India. She's seen a body like that before. An identical murder happened sixty years before in the same carnival -- a murder rumored to involve the owner of that special necklace. So the police get involved, the carnival workers are scared, and all the while the killer is out there, waiting.
Here are my two cents:
This was my first time reading anything by Ruby Jean Jensen. I discovered Jensen after I'd researched stories with haunted dolls (and similar themes) on Goodreads; there were several people who recommended her books. Sadly, since most of her work was published in the 80s, it's been difficult to obtain copies.
House of Illusions was a frightening, fun experience! But then, just the image of a "happy" clown gives me nightmares, so this book was pretty much guaranteed to give me the willies. Plus, Jensen knew how to work the shadows and show just enough to kick imagination into overdrive.
Then, with her face in the opened window, she at last felt the first stirrings of sleep.All carnival creepiness aside, the dialogue was iffy in a few places - stiff at first, and in the first few chapters the girls sounded more like adults than eight and eleven years old - as was some of the characterization, but the majority was believable and engaging. Blane, for instance, jumped off the page and made me laugh out loud with some of his antics. Also, the plot held my attention while the main characters developed. There were a few times when Jensen repeated information which felt a bit like stalling. That could just be my impatience; I really wanted to find out what was going to happen next!
The sound of a tiny bell brought her awake with a jolt and she stared out of the window into the darkness, where only the shapes of the trailers and the peaks of tents caught the light from the carnival midway. She stared. Something had moved in the alley making a faint sound, a tiny jingle, like the bells she had worn on her shoelaces when she was still little. Like the bells she had seen on some toy clowns' suits.
Then, slowly, as she stared, she began to make out a face in the dark. It seemed to have a white mouth, a blur that was ghostly and unformed, with a suggestion of a head and the body invisible. Like a head suspended in the darkness at the side of the tent... (p. 39).
Here's what you might not like:
* Profanity
* Sexual situations
* Violence involving children
* Graphic violence and murder
* The ending doesn't explain what "it" is, not exactly
Final thoughts
Jensen explores a world with which most of us are familiar - a carnival - using characters with whom we can all identify, and knows which "fear" button she wants to push and just when to push it. If clowns don't frighten you, then 90% of this book will fall flat. However, if the mere description of a clown sends chills down your spine, then you should read this ... during the day.
First published on my blog, Unleash the Flying Monkeys!
September 13, 2012
1.5 stars out of 5. Spoilers ahead. I had intended to read this book last summer but it got pushed back to this past August. It has a very unique foil cover which does not relate to the story at all. I really like Ruby Jean Jensen and consider myself lucky if I find one of her books at a used bookstore. I read Annabelle and was very entertained, and could tell that Ruby Jean Jensen was a gifted storyteller. House of Illusions is about a mirror maze in a traveling carnival haunted (or inhabited?) by an evil magician who has clown minions and is hunting for a talisman to restore his power. It turns out the clowns are creations inspired by nightmares and are empty costumes and masks that are capable of exerting crushing physical force. So far so good. Interesting premise, cool concepts, and a carnival/ circus is fertile ground for a horror story. The story's biggest flaw was that it became so repetitive that it became boring. There is no ending or resolution, which can work, however not in this case. The clowns kill people by slamming them on the ground over and over. Brutal. At first there are a few descriptions of the clowns moving as if pulled by invisible strings, controlled by some puppeteer, but then those stopped and the same action kept being repeated. The clowns would curl their fingers downward like claws, which is okay but not every time they make an appearance; it became very cartoon like (and not in the good horror/macabre way)sort of like Scooby Doo and they were chasing the gang over over a repeating background. Raoell, the evil illusionist, whose human description is your typical cliche evil magician, has another form that is a monstrous bird. Nothing is ever really explained, which again- it can work but does not in this case. Details are repeated until the end of the book making the action stale. The ending does not feel like one, and the epilogue does not do the story any favors. The last sentences and their focus were not indicative of a solid ending.
December 17, 2021
This would have had a much higher rating(like a 4 bc it was so enjoyable and i like the carnival description) but the end just ruined it completely!
It was pretty good but the whole climax was rushed and nothing is even slightly explained about the magician or the clowns or the house of mirrors or what the shows that took place in it. Like i can get mysterious endings but hell even when that happens they give you at least a bit for you to think on and dwell what might have happened. Why was the climax of the story only the last 10 pages even not really 10 pages. And wth i get to know and care about these sisters and all i get is two short damn sentences on the older one went home. What the shit is that!? THAT SUCKS! WTH ITS LIKE THE AUTHOR SAID "Eh, I got no ideas left.". I'd have given it more because it was really entertaining BUT LORD ONLY 10 PAGES FOR A CLIMAX AND A THROW AWAY ENDING BOO BOOOOOOO!
edit: i think about this book a lot and the kickass cover and the mostly enjoyable story.. but the fact the end it so rushed, short, and unsatisfying makes me upset and angry. think of a great show and then if all the sudden it get canceled or they had NO IDEA HOW TO END IT AND COULD ONLY GET ONE OF THE ACTORS TO KINDA DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OTHERS. thats this book
RUBY JEAMN JENSEN WTH?
It was pretty good but the whole climax was rushed and nothing is even slightly explained about the magician or the clowns or the house of mirrors or what the shows that took place in it. Like i can get mysterious endings but hell even when that happens they give you at least a bit for you to think on and dwell what might have happened. Why was the climax of the story only the last 10 pages even not really 10 pages. And wth i get to know and care about these sisters and all i get is two short damn sentences on the older one went home. What the shit is that!? THAT SUCKS! WTH ITS LIKE THE AUTHOR SAID "Eh, I got no ideas left.". I'd have given it more because it was really entertaining BUT LORD ONLY 10 PAGES FOR A CLIMAX AND A THROW AWAY ENDING BOO BOOOOOOO!
edit: i think about this book a lot and the kickass cover and the mostly enjoyable story.. but the fact the end it so rushed, short, and unsatisfying makes me upset and angry. think of a great show and then if all the sudden it get canceled or they had NO IDEA HOW TO END IT AND COULD ONLY GET ONE OF THE ACTORS TO KINDA DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OTHERS. thats this book
RUBY JEAMN JENSEN WTH?
August 23, 2014
I'd have to do a reread, but have fond memories. Very creepy!
June 27, 2019
A carnival with murdering clowns slinking around the house of mirrors?! Yes please!
Plus that cover is awesome!
Plus that cover is awesome!
April 8, 2024
Mildly spooky and shallow pulp horror with a VERY cool hologram cover. The setting for this story was great, taking place in a seedy traveling carnival with a hall of mirrors that is haunted by clowns. It had wooden, awkward dialogue throughout, bizarre unrealistic character actions, and was badly edited, if at all, but somehow that added to the weird charm of the whole thing. I may have to hunt down some more books by this lady.
December 31, 2010
The most amazing book. It scared the crap out of me. I couldn't put my feet down when I was getting out of bed for fear of a clown hand reaching out and grabbing me! Definitely a unique story.
April 16, 2024
This was great! I usually don't find clowns scary and these ones were terrifying! They brutally demolish victims in this.
This is my 2nd Ruby Jean Jensen story and once again I was impressed with the ease at which she crafts realistic characters and scenarios while not falling into 80's horror cliches.
Recommended if you think clowns are just stupid and boring. This is an exception!
This is my 2nd Ruby Jean Jensen story and once again I was impressed with the ease at which she crafts realistic characters and scenarios while not falling into 80's horror cliches.
Recommended if you think clowns are just stupid and boring. This is an exception!
February 25, 2017
Ruby Jean Jensen is perhaps one of the most underrated horror writers of all time. With all the Steven King worshipers out there, it seems that Miss Jensen has been forgotten in time.
I picked this book up in a dusty bookstore in Saint Paul, MN. It was around June, and I was getting books to read for the summer, not necessarily classics. I chose this book because I have always loved the carnival theme in horror movies, the spooky clowns, the fun houses, the performers....
This book, in addition to reaffirming my love of old plot "twists", added a new love of the carnival theme- the fact that I really just love going to carnivals. All the foods you can eat, the meld of fried foods, beer, and..sweat, in the air. Heck, even the occasional sunburn, because who wouldn't sit in the sun for an hour, just to eat a foot long hot dog you know you will regret later on?
Miss Jensen painted an amazing, if not downright beautiful, image of what carnivals are. And, she still managed to add the "horror factor", without taking away from the excitement you get just thinking about walking onto the grounds, the smell of funnel cakes and hot dogs hitting your nostrils, the "oh...I forgot my sunscreen..oh well" reminder, and all the fun you have.
I am not only recommending this book, as it is my favorite of hers, but I am also recommending Ruby Jean Jensen as an author. She is sure to capture of all of your senses, and the plots will keep your rapt attention.
You are not just reading a book of Ruby Jean's, you are in the moment. You are apart of the story.
I picked this book up in a dusty bookstore in Saint Paul, MN. It was around June, and I was getting books to read for the summer, not necessarily classics. I chose this book because I have always loved the carnival theme in horror movies, the spooky clowns, the fun houses, the performers....
This book, in addition to reaffirming my love of old plot "twists", added a new love of the carnival theme- the fact that I really just love going to carnivals. All the foods you can eat, the meld of fried foods, beer, and..sweat, in the air. Heck, even the occasional sunburn, because who wouldn't sit in the sun for an hour, just to eat a foot long hot dog you know you will regret later on?
Miss Jensen painted an amazing, if not downright beautiful, image of what carnivals are. And, she still managed to add the "horror factor", without taking away from the excitement you get just thinking about walking onto the grounds, the smell of funnel cakes and hot dogs hitting your nostrils, the "oh...I forgot my sunscreen..oh well" reminder, and all the fun you have.
I am not only recommending this book, as it is my favorite of hers, but I am also recommending Ruby Jean Jensen as an author. She is sure to capture of all of your senses, and the plots will keep your rapt attention.
You are not just reading a book of Ruby Jean's, you are in the moment. You are apart of the story.
January 31, 2011
spoiler...If you are afraid of clowns don't read this.
I got this book once at a used book store and it scared the crap out of me. Years later I finally found it again and it scared the crap out of me again....and I'm not afraid of clowns. I thought the author did a great job of building suspense so that you never knew when things were going to go bad. The characters are likeable and believable. Definitely a book I'll read a third time.
I got this book once at a used book store and it scared the crap out of me. Years later I finally found it again and it scared the crap out of me again....and I'm not afraid of clowns. I thought the author did a great job of building suspense so that you never knew when things were going to go bad. The characters are likeable and believable. Definitely a book I'll read a third time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2016
Good old fashioned 80s horror from Ruby Jean is always a fun ride (with a wicked hologram cover to boot). Normally it's not scary (even though clowns appear in this one), but you can count on her tense page-turners to move swiftly. One thing that surprises me is how the author has no qualms about bumping children off in her novels, and not just this one, but those I've read in the past. Not my fave by her, but a standout, nonetheless.
February 17, 2012
Brrrr...clowns.
January 21, 2014
Loved this book. Very scary to me and an ending I did not expect.
April 2, 2025
Oh my this was a lot of fun. Descriptions of clowns get me SPOOKED! This book had tons of it. I enjoyed the characters. Went at a good pace. I’d totally read a sequel if there was one.
January 13, 2023
“Amy, I’m here with you,” she said, trying to find words to comfort Amy in her loneliness. “I’m going with you, Amy."
What do you do when you seemingly have no places left to go, nobody else who really, truly wants you? For 11 year old Jodi and 8 year old Amy Sauer, that's a reality to be faced when their mother sends them alone on a place trip from sunny California to Tulsa to be with their father they never truly met before: Russel. As he spends his life traveling with the carnies in the Carnival scene, his daughters see a side of life so far removed from the one they knew with their mother. With the exciting lights from the rides, to the concession stands, to the bonding their trying to do with their estranged father. He runs a concession stand for his employment, and with Jodi's help they bond quickly to one another with the shared responsibility. Meeting so many new and interesting faces, Jodi sneaks into the House of Illusions one morning where she makes a horrific discovery; the tailman of Roell. He was a mysterious and twisted man in life during the 1929's who put on these out of this world shows in his House of Illusions. Armed with seven clowns, each with a more troubling and grotesque face than the last. To walk into his illusions showed you a different world all together; complete with black swamps and a staircase that leads impossibly high into the sky of mirrors. It would be nearly 60 years into the past where India's mother would lay crumpled and crushed to death in her tent, with her father and Roell both vanishing without a trace seemingly into thin air. When her father discovered the necklace his daughter discovered, he demanded it to be returned to India immediately, who looked at it with unbiased fear and horror. Terrified out of her mind of the bizarre pendant made of glass, she forced Jodi to throw it into the garbage believing that'll be the final time it could haunt anybody. Yet her younger sister Amy was waiting and watching to scoop of the necklace from the trash and become her hidden treasure.
"I can see evil in the wind. Can’t you smell it? Something bad is going to happen to those children.”
What do you do when you seemingly have no places left to go, nobody else who really, truly wants you? For 11 year old Jodi and 8 year old Amy Sauer, that's a reality to be faced when their mother sends them alone on a place trip from sunny California to Tulsa to be with their father they never truly met before: Russel. As he spends his life traveling with the carnies in the Carnival scene, his daughters see a side of life so far removed from the one they knew with their mother. With the exciting lights from the rides, to the concession stands, to the bonding their trying to do with their estranged father. He runs a concession stand for his employment, and with Jodi's help they bond quickly to one another with the shared responsibility. Meeting so many new and interesting faces, Jodi sneaks into the House of Illusions one morning where she makes a horrific discovery; the tailman of Roell. He was a mysterious and twisted man in life during the 1929's who put on these out of this world shows in his House of Illusions. Armed with seven clowns, each with a more troubling and grotesque face than the last. To walk into his illusions showed you a different world all together; complete with black swamps and a staircase that leads impossibly high into the sky of mirrors. It would be nearly 60 years into the past where India's mother would lay crumpled and crushed to death in her tent, with her father and Roell both vanishing without a trace seemingly into thin air. When her father discovered the necklace his daughter discovered, he demanded it to be returned to India immediately, who looked at it with unbiased fear and horror. Terrified out of her mind of the bizarre pendant made of glass, she forced Jodi to throw it into the garbage believing that'll be the final time it could haunt anybody. Yet her younger sister Amy was waiting and watching to scoop of the necklace from the trash and become her hidden treasure.
"I can see evil in the wind. Can’t you smell it? Something bad is going to happen to those children.”
December 29, 2020
Surprisingly creepy little pulp horror novel. Bought from this awesome book store called The Book A Near when I was in high school because of the awesome holographic cover, read about fifty pages of it, and never finished it. It spent the next decade in a box in my father's shed, and I'm glad to report it's finally been read. A happy ending, indeed.
Speaking of endings, this one has a pretty rushed one. Feels like Jensen could've cut about thirty pages out of the middle and spent them elaborating on the ending, as it feels like one of those horror movies that runs out of money before shooting the climax, shoot something half-finished, then explain everything via dialogue in an epilogue. Sucks, because I was genuinely shocked at something unexpected that happens near the end of the book. Still recommended; it has good character and setting building, and is overall above-average paperback horror trash.
Speaking of endings, this one has a pretty rushed one. Feels like Jensen could've cut about thirty pages out of the middle and spent them elaborating on the ending, as it feels like one of those horror movies that runs out of money before shooting the climax, shoot something half-finished, then explain everything via dialogue in an epilogue. Sucks, because I was genuinely shocked at something unexpected that happens near the end of the book. Still recommended; it has good character and setting building, and is overall above-average paperback horror trash.
May 3, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up for Goodreads.
This is a very atmospheric carnival-themed horror story. However, there are also plenty of flaws: the story is repetitive at times; there is sometimes a lack of character development, and there is a rushed ending.
The setting is definitely the book's best asset. While I was reading this book, I could perfectly picture the carnival that this story is centered around, and Jensen did a wonderful job at making the reader actually feel as if they were there among the "carnies"! At times, I even found myself hungering for some popcorn and hotdogs as I was making my way through this book!
Overall, this was just a middle-of-the-road horror story for me, but I am still glad to have read it because I personally enjoy carnival-themed horror.
This was one of the book club picks for the YouTube book club I run (The Midnight Book Society). Most people in the group felt the same way as me - many gave the book a 3-3.5 star rating.
This is a very atmospheric carnival-themed horror story. However, there are also plenty of flaws: the story is repetitive at times; there is sometimes a lack of character development, and there is a rushed ending.
The setting is definitely the book's best asset. While I was reading this book, I could perfectly picture the carnival that this story is centered around, and Jensen did a wonderful job at making the reader actually feel as if they were there among the "carnies"! At times, I even found myself hungering for some popcorn and hotdogs as I was making my way through this book!
Overall, this was just a middle-of-the-road horror story for me, but I am still glad to have read it because I personally enjoy carnival-themed horror.
This was one of the book club picks for the YouTube book club I run (The Midnight Book Society). Most people in the group felt the same way as me - many gave the book a 3-3.5 star rating.
June 4, 2023
This was about to be one of my favorites, but then... the ending.
Still, a surprisingly likable cast of characters, a pretty vibrant setting, and a few truly gnarly horror moments still made this book a blast to read. I seriously really liked these characters, and several of the deaths in this book hit pretty hard.
I have honestly enjoyed every book I've read from Ruby Jean Jensen. This one falls towards the top of the list, except...
The ending feels like her editor told her to tighten the book up so it stayed under a certain page count, so the climax got rushed. There is a setup for something much bigger, and then... it wraps up. It was disappointing, but also a regular problem with Zebra books. That's why I lean more towards editorial interference over the author's choice.
Still recommended.
Still, a surprisingly likable cast of characters, a pretty vibrant setting, and a few truly gnarly horror moments still made this book a blast to read. I seriously really liked these characters, and several of the deaths in this book hit pretty hard.
I have honestly enjoyed every book I've read from Ruby Jean Jensen. This one falls towards the top of the list, except...
The ending feels like her editor told her to tighten the book up so it stayed under a certain page count, so the climax got rushed. There is a setup for something much bigger, and then... it wraps up. It was disappointing, but also a regular problem with Zebra books. That's why I lean more towards editorial interference over the author's choice.
Still recommended.
Read
October 19, 2023NB: Ended up giving this away after I read it, which I regret. :(
Maybe the most bizarre reason I’ve ever purchased a book...
So...I vaguely remember a book from when I was a kid-late 80's, early 90's-when I was in my horror book phase. I can't remember any details except there was a hall of mirrors scene. I googled 80's/90's books with hall of mirror scenes and only a few popped up, although I'm sure there are more. When I saw this cover though, something about the hologram seemed familiar. I found it crazy cheap online and voila, "new" book to read. Honestly, I don't even remember if I liked the book back then, just something about that scene stuck with me. D of course says it won't hold up, even if it is the right book, but I'm in a reading slump so I figure why not.
Maybe the most bizarre reason I’ve ever purchased a book...
So...I vaguely remember a book from when I was a kid-late 80's, early 90's-when I was in my horror book phase. I can't remember any details except there was a hall of mirrors scene. I googled 80's/90's books with hall of mirror scenes and only a few popped up, although I'm sure there are more. When I saw this cover though, something about the hologram seemed familiar. I found it crazy cheap online and voila, "new" book to read. Honestly, I don't even remember if I liked the book back then, just something about that scene stuck with me. D of course says it won't hold up, even if it is the right book, but I'm in a reading slump so I figure why not.
December 13, 2019
I have heard so much in my book groups about Ruby. I have tried to find her works in e-books with no luck at all. I finally broke down and bought three used copies and this was the first one to read. It was a solid story and had definite eerie moments. I liked the visuals she created of the clowns and House of Mirrors. It was a fun read but not as awesome as all the hype led me to expect. I will definitely read the other two books but beyond that, I won't be reading any more of her works unless they end up being released in e-version (much cleaner than the common 80s paperback). I did enjoy the story just not quite enough to give it 4 stars.
April 27, 2022
The smell of popcorn, the sounds of carnival rides, music pumping, hot dogs and candy floss consumed, the carnival atmosphere. A magician created a mysterious house of mirrors, corridors everywhere an absolute masterpiece. A child finds a necklace in the house of mirrors, an old carnie lady sees this and says its evil, it needs to be thrown away. It will be kept and through the necklaces glass imagines will be seen just like watching a movie of future happenings. Bodies will be discovered looking like they were run over by bulldozers, arms, legs crushed, blood oozing. Evil clowns walking the carnival, grotesque faces.
February 11, 2022
I do not understand why people are overly critical of this book. The cover represents the House of Mirrors with the two little girls and their father. I remembered this book from when I was a child. My mom owned this book and I bought it when I got older. What stuck out for me was the hologram cover.
I think Ruby Jean did a very good job on the book and her storytelling. To me she was not making the story complicated. She kept it simple and to the point. I think this author did not get the full recognition that she rightfully deserved.
I think Ruby Jean did a very good job on the book and her storytelling. To me she was not making the story complicated. She kept it simple and to the point. I think this author did not get the full recognition that she rightfully deserved.
August 18, 2022
After reading part of this book, then reading about the life of Ruby Jean Jensen—an aspiring writer who wanted to be taken seriously but only ever had her horror stories published—I read with new eyes. Truly an underrated author. Her character development is spectacular and her imagination is wonderful. I know many will put this on the bottom shelf of horror, but RJJ deserves praise for solid writing and story. I will read again someday.
July 31, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It def keeps u interested. I’ve read other books by Ruby Jensen. She def had the gift of writing about kids and making them believable and often entertaining kids. This story def has creepiness. Her stories are written in a way that u can actually picture in your mind what is going on. It’s like u are watching a movie. Highly recommend this story.
June 18, 2021
Most of the book was so great and creepy. I do not like clowns so murdering clowns just confirmed everything I've always said. The author also wasn't shy about killing of characters, especially earlier in the story, which was a bit of a surprise. As others have said, the ending was rushed and didn't provide much closure. The first 90% was spectacular, though.
February 17, 2022
if you've got this weird hardback edition dont read the blurb as it's got tons of spoilers!
this started a bit slow for me, but when i got into it, i really liked the characters and the setting. sure, the ending is a bit of a non-event and the whole thing feels a bit like an 80s kids horror (partly because the main two characters are kids) - kinda like Stand by Me or Phantasm.
this started a bit slow for me, but when i got into it, i really liked the characters and the setting. sure, the ending is a bit of a non-event and the whole thing feels a bit like an 80s kids horror (partly because the main two characters are kids) - kinda like Stand by Me or Phantasm.
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