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The Red Stone of Jubbah
H. P. Lovecraft’s fabled character, Alhazred, the mad Arab who wrote the infamous Necronomicon is back in a new and startling tale of sword and sorcery, horror, and adventure.
The infamous author of the Necronomicon, Abdul Alhazred, is sent by the Caliph, Muawiya II, from Damascus to the distant Oasis of Jubbah, which lies in the midst of the Nefud Desert, to search of a fabled red stone that fell from the heavens many ages ago. The stone is mystically linked to the black stone in the Ka’bah at Mecca, and has the power to transform the man who holds it into a conqueror of nations, making him invulnerable in battle. It was once possessed by Alexander the Great, but was lost in Persia after Alexander’s death.
Rumor has it that the stone was carried westward into Arabia by the mysterious cliff-dwelling clan of wanderers known as the Thamud. The last mention of the stone in ancient written records intimates that it was hidden by the Thamud at Jubbah.
Alhazred must locate the stone before it can be found by the agents of the Caliph’s arch rival, Marwan ibn al-Hakam, who seeks to overthrow Muawiya and create a new ruling dynasty. Marwan’s agents in Jubbah are deceitful and dangerous, leaving Alhazred to wonder who he can trust. Does the stone lie forgotten in a cave on the mountain Jebel Umm Sanman, which looms over the oasis like a thundercloud, or is this only a rumor to mislead fools?
The witch of the mountain, Salamagoogah, is ancient beyond the memory of men. She knows the secrets of the red stone, but will she share them with Alhazred or lead him to his death?
Who will find the red stone of Jubbah first? The Caliph, Muawiya, in Damascus? His rival Marwan? The witch Salamagoogah? Or will it be another? The fate of the entire Caliphate hangs in the balance, for the man who holds the red stone holds the world on the palm of his hand.
The infamous author of the Necronomicon, Abdul Alhazred, is sent by the Caliph, Muawiya II, from Damascus to the distant Oasis of Jubbah, which lies in the midst of the Nefud Desert, to search of a fabled red stone that fell from the heavens many ages ago. The stone is mystically linked to the black stone in the Ka’bah at Mecca, and has the power to transform the man who holds it into a conqueror of nations, making him invulnerable in battle. It was once possessed by Alexander the Great, but was lost in Persia after Alexander’s death.
Rumor has it that the stone was carried westward into Arabia by the mysterious cliff-dwelling clan of wanderers known as the Thamud. The last mention of the stone in ancient written records intimates that it was hidden by the Thamud at Jubbah.
Alhazred must locate the stone before it can be found by the agents of the Caliph’s arch rival, Marwan ibn al-Hakam, who seeks to overthrow Muawiya and create a new ruling dynasty. Marwan’s agents in Jubbah are deceitful and dangerous, leaving Alhazred to wonder who he can trust. Does the stone lie forgotten in a cave on the mountain Jebel Umm Sanman, which looms over the oasis like a thundercloud, or is this only a rumor to mislead fools?
The witch of the mountain, Salamagoogah, is ancient beyond the memory of men. She knows the secrets of the red stone, but will she share them with Alhazred or lead him to his death?
Who will find the red stone of Jubbah first? The Caliph, Muawiya, in Damascus? His rival Marwan? The witch Salamagoogah? Or will it be another? The fate of the entire Caliphate hangs in the balance, for the man who holds the red stone holds the world on the palm of his hand.
- GenresHorror
133 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2021
7 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Donald Tyson
99 books149 followersDonald Tyson is a Canadian from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Early in life he was drawn to science by an intense fascination with astronomy, building a telescope by hand when he was eight. He began university seeking a science degree, but became disillusioned with the aridity and futility of a mechanistic view of the universe and shifted his major to English. After graduating with honors he has pursued a writing career.
Now he devotes his life to the attainment of a complete gnosis of the art of magic in theory and practice. His purpose is to formulate an accessible system of personal training composed of East and West, past and present, that will help the individual discover the reason for one's existence and a way to fulfill it.
Now he devotes his life to the attainment of a complete gnosis of the art of magic in theory and practice. His purpose is to formulate an accessible system of personal training composed of East and West, past and present, that will help the individual discover the reason for one's existence and a way to fulfill it.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 4, 2021
I couldn't resist a book about Abdul Alhazred of Necronomicon fame!
And I'm glad I did because Mr. Tyson's story is tightly plotted with evocative imagery and excellent characterization. Everyone comes across as a well-rounded believable person even with the fantastic world they inhabit. The plot moves along smartly with little or no wasted side trips and the resolution is satisfying and rather surprising.
Anyone who has wondered about the man who 'wrote' the Necronomicon is in for a treat! Now I just have to track down Mr. Tyson's other book about the notorious necromancer to see what else he has added to the story.
And I'm glad I did because Mr. Tyson's story is tightly plotted with evocative imagery and excellent characterization. Everyone comes across as a well-rounded believable person even with the fantastic world they inhabit. The plot moves along smartly with little or no wasted side trips and the resolution is satisfying and rather surprising.
Anyone who has wondered about the man who 'wrote' the Necronomicon is in for a treat! Now I just have to track down Mr. Tyson's other book about the notorious necromancer to see what else he has added to the story.
August 23, 2025
This book was such a fun and absorbing read. It tells a tale of Abdul Alhazred, a character from Lovecraft's mythos and the writer of the Necronomicon. Despite this, the book features very little horror, but a story of adventure as Alhazred tracks down an ancient stone of power.
The writing is great, characters likeable and interesting, and the story is a well paced romp that was easy to get into and hard to put down.
The book has inspired me to read more of Donald's work and is one that I would recommend to fans of Lovecraft who would want to learn more about the creator of the Necronomicon.
The writing is great, characters likeable and interesting, and the story is a well paced romp that was easy to get into and hard to put down.
The book has inspired me to read more of Donald's work and is one that I would recommend to fans of Lovecraft who would want to learn more about the creator of the Necronomicon.
December 17, 2022
I received this book from Sadie Hartmann as a bonus in one of my Night Worms packages many months ago. I knew I would be interested because of its roots in H.P. Lovecraft's works, but it took me until now to pick it up.
At first, I was confused with the names and keeping characters straight. I needed to get my footing, but this only lasted a few pages before I was familiarized and grounded. Then I was fully immersed in this world that Donald Tyson formed around Lovecraft's mad Arab and author of the Necronomicon, Abdul Alhazred.
Surprisingly, the character of Alhazred was written in a very human and relatable way. He was interesting and I wanted to get to know him so I could understand his ways. This book reads like a pulp adventure story, with an atmosphere of intrigue. There were times where I was reminded of the movie 'The Mummy' (the Brendan Frasier one) because of its fun, sometimes frightening excitement. It was also reminiscent of the 'Tales from the Cryptkeeper' cartoon because of the presence of some goofiness alongside an underlying menace. It was absolutely a book for adults, so don't read too much into my childhood references, but it drew from all those places for me that really made it a home run in my eyes. The interior art by M. Wayne Miller helped contribute to that sensation.
I removed the fifth star for this rating because of that initial confusion in the writing that could have repelled me if I hadn't been persistent. I also did some homework afterwards and found that Donald Tyson has a variety of occult-style books relating to Lovecraft's mythos ('Necronomicon,' 'Alhazred'), yet I have no idea where 'The Red Stone of Jubbah' lies in the timeline, or if it's even part of a cohesive series. It seemed to start and end in the middle; a slice of life through Alhazred's eyes. It would have been great to know where the book in my hands was meant to stand in relation to Alhazred's life, and even doing a bit of research did not grant me clarity on that.
I must emphasize that I am very excited to read Tyson's other works. I have always wondered about the background of the creation of the Necronomicon and how Abdul Alhazred came to be the vessel for a book bound by cosmic horror and mystery. 'The Red Stone of Jubbah' made me fully invested in seeking out everything else Donald Tyson has imagined up on paper.
At first, I was confused with the names and keeping characters straight. I needed to get my footing, but this only lasted a few pages before I was familiarized and grounded. Then I was fully immersed in this world that Donald Tyson formed around Lovecraft's mad Arab and author of the Necronomicon, Abdul Alhazred.
Surprisingly, the character of Alhazred was written in a very human and relatable way. He was interesting and I wanted to get to know him so I could understand his ways. This book reads like a pulp adventure story, with an atmosphere of intrigue. There were times where I was reminded of the movie 'The Mummy' (the Brendan Frasier one) because of its fun, sometimes frightening excitement. It was also reminiscent of the 'Tales from the Cryptkeeper' cartoon because of the presence of some goofiness alongside an underlying menace. It was absolutely a book for adults, so don't read too much into my childhood references, but it drew from all those places for me that really made it a home run in my eyes. The interior art by M. Wayne Miller helped contribute to that sensation.
I removed the fifth star for this rating because of that initial confusion in the writing that could have repelled me if I hadn't been persistent. I also did some homework afterwards and found that Donald Tyson has a variety of occult-style books relating to Lovecraft's mythos ('Necronomicon,' 'Alhazred'), yet I have no idea where 'The Red Stone of Jubbah' lies in the timeline, or if it's even part of a cohesive series. It seemed to start and end in the middle; a slice of life through Alhazred's eyes. It would have been great to know where the book in my hands was meant to stand in relation to Alhazred's life, and even doing a bit of research did not grant me clarity on that.
I must emphasize that I am very excited to read Tyson's other works. I have always wondered about the background of the creation of the Necronomicon and how Abdul Alhazred came to be the vessel for a book bound by cosmic horror and mystery. 'The Red Stone of Jubbah' made me fully invested in seeking out everything else Donald Tyson has imagined up on paper.
January 3, 2022
Solid Arabian sword and sorcery. Don't let the fact that Abdul Alhazred is the lead character scare you off thinking this is yet another H.P. Lovecraft knockoff; apart from the protagonist's name this tale has zero to do with the Mythos. This is much more steeped in Arabian lore and is more action-oriented than HPL ever was.
Alhazred is a pretty awful person, but this story moves along at a quick pace and, although fairly predictable, never fails to be entertaining.
Alhazred is a pretty awful person, but this story moves along at a quick pace and, although fairly predictable, never fails to be entertaining.
May 18, 2022
a fine tale
I have become addicted to the stories of Alhazred by Donald Tyson. Well researched and crafted, exotic. A bit gory for sensitive readers.
I have become addicted to the stories of Alhazred by Donald Tyson. Well researched and crafted, exotic. A bit gory for sensitive readers.
December 6, 2025
Another great Alhazred story
Another terrific read. I don’t tire of the characters and the depth of imagination involved in the stories keeps them fresh.
Another terrific read. I don’t tire of the characters and the depth of imagination involved in the stories keeps them fresh.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews