The Moving Finger

Benny Freedman Mystery #1

by Milton R. Bass

Benny Freedman, a crafty, street-smart California detective, becomes embroiled in a case involving a murdered used-car mogul, a sexy widow, and a bizarre and dangerous religious cult

255 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Milton Ralph Bass was born in and raised Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1923. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in 1947 and a master’s in English from Smith College in 1948.

During World War II, he served in the army as a medic. After the war, he became a columnist and entertainer editor for the Berkshire Eagle. In 1986, he retired from The Berkshire Eagle after 35 years as entertainment editor, theater and movie critic; however, both Milton and his wife, Ruth, continued to write columns for the Eagle. Their son, Michael Bass, a former executive producer of the "Today Show," is the co-executive producer of Katie's Couric's talk show, "Katie."

Reviews

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

PROTAGONIST: Benny Freedman, cop
SETTING: San Diego, CA
SERIES: #1 of 4
RATING: 3.75
WHY: Benny Freedman is a cop in San Diego. He's half Irish and half Jewish. His beloved wife died recently of cancer, and he is unable to move on. He is rather startled to find that his wife left him 6 million dollars. He is assigned to investigate the murder of a Vietnamese car dealer. The clues lead him to a militant church that holds him and the victim's wife and son hostage. The plot did get a little farfetched, but Benny is an interesting character.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss Marple doesn't appear till late; this book is a masterpiece of misdirection.