The Moving Finger
The Moving Finger is a novel by E. Phillips Oppenheim that follows the story of a young man named John Dene who becomes involved in a series of mysterious events after he inherits a fortune from his uncle. The book was first published in 1908 and has been praised for its intricate plot and well-developed characters.
By E. Phillips Oppenheim · First published 1920 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime · 36 chapters · 87,303 words
First lines
Bertrand Saton leaned against the stone coping of the bridge, and looked downwards, as though watching the seagulls circling round and round, waiting for their usual feast of scraps. The gulls, however, were only his excuse. He stood there, looking hard at the gray, muddy water beneath, trying to make up his mind to this final and inevitable act of despair. He had walked the last hundred yards almost eagerly. He had told himself that he was absolutely and entirely prepared for death. Yet the first sight of that gray, cold-looking river, had chilled him. He felt a new and unaccountable reluctance to quit the world which certainly seemed to have made up its mind that it had no need of him. His thoughts rushed backwards. "Swim out to sea on a sunny day," he repeated to himself slowly. Yes, but this! It was a different thing, this! The longer he looked below, the more he shrank from such a death!
What this Textopian page supports
The Moving Finger is listed on Textopian as a novel by E. Phillips Oppenheim, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: E. Phillips Oppenheim
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Adventure, Romance
- Length: 87,303 words
- Structure: 36 chapters, 2,213 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Moving Finger by E. Phillips Oppenheim
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Moving Finger?
- How does this novel by E. Phillips Oppenheim fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Great Secret by E. Phillips Oppenheim
- Mysterious Mr Sabin by E. Phillips Oppenheim
- The Nether Millstone by Fred M. White
- The Valley Of Fear by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Expensive Halo by Josephine Tey
- The Sweet Singer by Edgar Wallace
Genres
- Mystery — The narrative revolves around a mysterious crime and its investigation.
- Thriller — The plot contains elements of suspense, tension, and excitement.
- Crime — The story involves criminal activities and law enforcement.
- Adventure — The characters undertake a journey or mission with risks and challenges.
Tags
mystery · suspense · crime · detective · thriller · intrigue · plot twist · investigation · secrets · deception · murder · romance
Contents
- A LETTER PROVES USEFUL
- OLD ACQUAINTANCES
- "WHO IS MR. SATON?"
- A QUESTION OF OBLIGATION
- A MORNING WALK
- PAULINE MARRABEL
- AN UNWELCOME VISITOR
- AN INSTANCE OF OCCULTISM
- A SENTIMENTAL TALK
- THE SCENE CHANGES
- A BUSY EVENING
- A CALL ON LADY MARRABEL
- LADY MARY'S DILEMMA
- PETTY WORRIES
- ROCHESTER IS INDIGNANT
- PLAIN SPEAKING
- THE GREAT NAUDHEIM
- ROCHESTER'S ULTIMATUM
- TROUBLE BREWING
- FIRST BLOOD
- AFRAID!
- SATON REASSERTS HIMSELF
- AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER
- LOIS IS OBEDIENT
- A LAST WARNING
- THE DUCHESS'S DINNER PARTY
- THE ANSWER TO A RIDDLE
- SPOKEN FROM THE HEART
- THE COURAGE OF DESPERATION
- A SURPRISING REQUEST
- BETWEEN LOVE AND DUTY
- AT THE EDGE OF THE PRECIPICE
- "YOU DO NOT BELIEVE IN ME!"
- A WOMAN'S TONGUE
- ON LOIS' BIRTHDAY
- THE CHARLATAN UNMASKED