Ring once for Death by Robert Arthur

Name: Ring once for Death
Author: Robert Arthur

A modern couple, Mark and Edith, revisit a quaint shop they frequented during their honeymoon, only to discover that the shopkeeper, Sam Kee, has passed away. They encounter his son, who offers them a unique rose-crystal bell, which is said to have mystical properties. The bell, however, is incomplete, lacking its clapper, which was intentionally separated by the elder Kee due to a superstition that ringing it could resurrect the dead, but at a cost—another life would be claimed in exchange. Intrigued, Edith purchases the bell, believing she can make it ring by using a crystal pendant from a necklace they bought years ago. When she successfully rings the bell, it produces a haunting sound, but nothing happens. Shortly after, Mark is called to an emergency surgery, but tragedy strikes when he is involved in a car accident that leaves him dead. In her grief, Edith discovers the bell in her bag and, in a moment of desperation, rings it. Miraculously, Mark revives, but the joy is short-lived as they soon learn that their son, David, has been in a fatal accident. In a frantic attempt to bring David back, Edith rings the bell again, believing in its power. As she calls out for David, he appears, but it is revealed that he is alive and well, having been mistakenly identified as dead. However, the joy is overshadowed by the tragic fate of David's friend, who was driving the car during the accident. In a cruel twist of fate, Mark, who had been skeptical of the bell's powers, dies when he falls on the broken crystal, leaving Edith to grapple with the consequences of her actions and the true nature of the bell. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the consequences of meddling with forces beyond human understanding.

By Robert Arthur · First published 1964 · Genre: Mystery, Fantasy, Thriller · 5,215 words

First lines

_The power of the old gods was certainly nothing for Mark and Edith -- a modern, twentieth-century couple -- to worry about. After all -- everybody dies! _

Twenty years had left no trace inside Sam Kee's little shop on Mott Street. There were the same dusty jars of ginseng root and tigers' whiskers, the same little bronze Buddahs, the same gim-cracks mixed with fine jade. Edith Williams gave a little murmur of pleasure as the door shut behind them.

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Ring once for Death is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert Arthur, dated 1964 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Robert Arthur
Date: 1964 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Fantasy, Thriller, Drama, Horror
Length: 5,215 words
Structure: 1 section, 162 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The plot revolves around a mysterious bell with supernatural implications, leading to unexpected events and a twist ending.
Fantasy — The story incorporates elements of fantasy through the belief in the bell's power to resurrect the dead, reflecting themes of life and death.
Thriller — The narrative builds tension through the impending sense of danger and the emotional stakes surrounding the characters' lives.
Drama — The emotional depth of the characters, particularly in dealing with loss and the consequences of their actions, aligns with dramatic themes.