Northeastern Strange Tales: A Folk Archive of Forbidden Things

The Northeast Records of the Uncanny: Archives of Folk Taboos follows Chen Mo, a young folklorist who is drawn into the most secret supernatural incidents in China’s three northeastern provinces after an unexpected turn during a field study. He goes from being a skeptic to experiencing the uncanny firsthand, joining forces with an heir to the shamanic tradition and a veteran detective to form an investigative trio and uncover terrifying truths buried in the past. The book explores northeastern legends such as the Five Great Immortals, ghost markets, the Red and White Fiends, and child-ghost cultivation. Its stories unfold across settings rich in regional character, from snowy forests to old industrial towns and abandoned hospitals. Each tale is adapted from real rumors, blending spine-chilling horror with deeply moving humanity and thoughtful reflections on changing times.