Crime Solving, Suspense, Mystery 破案 悬疑 推理

1. 201 解 The Disintegrator: A World of Black and Gray 解离者：黑灰世界 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Urban138k WordsCompleted Rick accidentally plunges into the dark abyss of an international drug cartel's deals, confronting the tangled connections between drug crimes and gang forces and witnessing countless bloody battles. Through one man's eyes, the story depicts a gripping, dark struggle for power, steeped in money and murder. 57Reads—Score—Shelves
2. 202 半 Half a Step Beyond 半步多 The Fish Who Wants to Flyz想飞的鱼zMystery570k WordsCompleted Half-Step Pass, the boundary between yin and yang, a place where the living must not go. Grandpa and I escaped from there and lived under assumed names for twenty years, but they still found us... 528Reads8.9Score107Shelves

   Reader note

   *Half a Step More* is a heart-pounding suspense novel. With its ingenious plot and gripping narrative, the author transports readers to a world of mystery and suspense. The story revolves around the protagonist's mysterious origins. His grandfather led him to escape from "Half a Step More," a place where the living and the dead meet, and they lived in anonymity for twenty years. However, the gears of fate turn again, drawing them into a thrilling adventure. Throughout the novel, the author skillfully creates a tense atmosphere, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Every chapter is filled with suspense, making you eager to know what will happen next. The author's character portrayals are also very nuanced; the protagonist's perseverance, courage, and wisdom are admirable, while the other characters are also distinctive and memorable. Half a Step More, this mysterious place, hides countless untold secrets. In this world full of danger and challenges, how will the protagonist uncover the mystery of his origins? How will he face the enemies lurking in the shadows? All will be revealed in the novel. If you enjoy suspense novels, then *Half a Step More* is definitely a must-read. It will take you into a world full of mystery and suspense, letting you experience a thrilling adventure. Hopefully, this post will help you attract more readers to *Half a Step More*. If you have any further questions or need further assistance, please feel free to let me know.

3. 203 一 An Invitation 一封邀请函 Li Shixin立十辛Mystery102k WordsCompleted Keywords: Snowbound mountain lodge + Ensemble cast + Campus + Novella An invitation to a high school reunion. Twelve letters, twelve people. As murders follow one after another in the dead of night, each more horrifically brutal than the last, is the killer one of the twelve, or someone else entirely? The truth behind the events is a secret hidden for years. Thorns in the darkness ensnare everyone in fear and unease. No one knows who holds the knife and who is at its mercy. Amid tangled love and 1.1kReads—Score139Shelves
4. 204 解 Dissolver: Assassination 解离者：刺杀 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Urban159k WordsCompleted With the election approaching, the political landscape is shrouded in uncertainty. Acting on a secret assignment, Rick navigates official cover-ups, power struggles, and layers of deception. Following the faintest clues, he carefully pieces together the truth and hunts down the mysterious mastermind lurking behind it all. He quietly snuffs out a deadly crisis capable of changing the balance of power before it can take root. 121Reads—Score—Shelves
5. 205 猎 Hunter's Eye 猎眼 Yuan Longgang袁龙刚Mystery155k WordsCompleted This is a hard-core female-audience criminal investigation and mystery novel. There is no overpowered protagonist and no wish-fulfillment formula. It faithfully depicts the real investigative process and logical reasoning through which a major crimes unit solves cold cases across the country. 33Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   This is alright, traditional crime solving.

6. 206 民 Strange Tales from the Folk 民间吊诡故事 Teacher Dong Lin东霖老师Mystery179k WordsCompleted [An ensemble cast] [Multiple protagonists and storylines] [A wild imagination] [Mystery] [Conspiracies] [Open schemes] [Political machinations] Pangu split the earth with his axe. Fuxi and Nuwa established marriage customs. Chiyou and the Yellow Emperor fought for the throne of the gods, only for the battle to end in defeat at Mount Buzhou. After a century of war between gods and demons, the Yellow Emperor abdicated, taking the blame. Humanity gained gods, then lost them, and so a new tale of cr 20Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   Ancient mythology suspense novel, an absolute treasure with endless twists and turns! You think it's human but it's actually a demon, and you think it's a demon but it's actually human. It's so good! The best I've read recently, surpassing 99% of Tomato's books.

7. 207 解 Dissolver: Incoming Missile 解离者：导弹袭来 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Urban156k WordsCompleted Rick, the hard-bitten killer from the series, returns once more. His close friend is brutally murdered, and the trail leads to a major missile trafficking case deliberately kept under wraps. To avenge his brother, Rick ventures alone into the heart of the conspiracy. As he presses forward through a perilous investigation, he finally slays his enemy with decisive force and successfully averts a missile crisis threatening the United States. 146Reads—Score—Shelves
8. 208 从 Starting Today, I'm a Corporate Drone at the Court of Judicial Review 从今天起在大理寺当社畜 Feather Fish Language羽鱼语Mystery550k WordsCompleted [An eight-person investigative team x lighthearted mystery and deduction x fantastical martial world x comedy] Nobody believes in me, and I don't exactly give them reason to. After dying from overwork, Qin You transmigrates. No System, no golden finger. From the start, she's stranded in the wilderness with no money, and even the three bandits complain that she's broke! To survive, she decisively clings to He Yiqing, the cold-faced female constable of the Court of Judicial Review. Along the way, 676Reads8.1Score105Shelves

   Reader note

   Does nobody understand? No romantic pairing + crime-solving + ensemble cast, the plot is thrilling, men will get their periods while watching, women will scream!!! Trust me, you won't regret investing, ship whoever you want!!!

9. 209 解 Dissociator: Financial Bullets 解离者：金融子弹 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Mystery167k WordsCompleted Rick takes on a covert chain of missions spanning three continents: assassinate the key figures in charge of five ports. At the same time, he uses the hedge fund behind his client to make a killing, sending his personal wealth skyrocketing. Danger follows close behind. Britain’s MI5 and Interpol trace the clues back to Rick, reopening last year’s unsolved assassination cases and quietly closing their international dragnet around him. The unlikely alliance between assassination and capital stirs 259Reads—Score—Shelves
10. 210 摇 The Fragrant Scents Stir Chaos 摇香乱 Flowers and Trees, Simply花木于简Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted This is not a strong-female-lead story! This is not a strong-female-lead story! This is not a strong-female-lead story! This book is filled with conspiracies and political machinations, court intrigues, the fierce passions of the martial world, the darkness of human nature, devotion to family and country, and the burning passions of young men and women. If that's what you love, read on... From the start, Ou Qingyao becomes the emperor's woman. Ten months pregnant, she is hunted down. Who will sa 60Reads8.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Although this book is not directly about solving cases and suspense, the male protagonist constantly thwarts conspiracies and unravels mysteries for the sake of the female protagonist.

11. 211 少 Young Feng Shui Master 少年风水师 Tinglan Himself听澜本尊Mystery3.4M WordsCompleted When Grandpa died, the whole city was in an uproar... 9.9kReads9.0Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    I've finished reading all of these books; they're quite good, and I recommend them to everyone.

12. 212 相 The Face Reader Comes Down From the Mountain 相师下山 Drunk from a Flick of the Finger弹指一壶醉Urban3.1M WordsCompleted A country boy receives the true teachings of a Taoist master, then heads down the mountain and makes his way in the city. What can a rough country boy like him do? Qin Hai smiles faintly. “I can read faces and bones, appraise antiques, cast the Six Yao, and tell your fortune from your birth chart!” 38.2kReads9.1Score2.9kShelves
13. 213 大 Great Ming: I'm a Prince, Can't I Enjoy Myself? 大明：皇子的我还不能享受享受？ The Pumpkin Became a Rookie南瓜变成菜鸟Historical1.7M WordsCompleted I'm no good at writing introductions. This is a new book by a new author. He transmigrates to the Zhizheng era, and the System blows up. What! I'm actually the Prince Qin Min, who did every evil thing imaginable? The second legitimate son of the Hongwu Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang! He died young. After his death, Zhu Yuanzhang personally wrote a memorial condemning him: "Since you were sent to your fief, you have earned no good reputation. You kept company with petty men, indulged in wine and women, a 36.8kReads8.8Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    I highly recommend this wonderful book. I've read it multiple times and am still reading it 😊 I wanted to share it with you because it's so good ☕️

14. 214 穿 Transmigrating to the Great Song: A Young Constable Solves Cases and Becomes a Legend 穿越大宋，小捕快破案封神 Still the Same Mountain还是那座山Mystery711k WordsOngoing A modern SWAT officer transmigrates to the Northern Song dynasty and becomes a low-ranking constable. With his exceptional criminal-investigation skills, he cracks every baffling case under heaven! He solves cases and becomes legendary, his official career skyrocketing. From a petty clerk, he rises to become a powerful figure who dominates the court! 12.9kReads7.7Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    A junior constable with phenomenal crime-solving abilities.

15. 215 女 Female Forensic Pathologist Bai Ling: Hold Your Breath 女法医白灵：屏住呼吸 R's NameR的名字Mystery449k WordsOngoing Realistic, brutal, eerie, and thrilling! Take a firsthand look at crime scenes that push past psychological limits, and see women shine in a challenging profession. Shh... Hold your breath. Never disturb the dead. Are there ghosts in this world? Perhaps a ghost haunts the heart of everyone. 9Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's so good! A female forensic doctor paired with a handsome detective—the cases are quite bizarre, and the romance develops very quickly.

16. 216 我 I Am a Female Physiognomist 我是女相师 Xiao Xu小叙Mystery893k WordsCompleted I was born in the twelfth lunar month of 1991, and came into the world with six fingers. The saying that people born in the Year of the Sheep have bad luck somehow became attached to me. Before I could even speak, my family sent me to live with my grandaunt, who ran a shop selling paper offerings and burial clothes. My grandaunt said I had a star spirit in my fate, and the Vermilion Bird would come to my aid. What did it matter if my destiny was cursed? As the saying goes: The Azure Dragon and W 13.2kReads9.4Score1.4kShelves
17. 217 罪 City of Sinful Love 罪爱之城 Seven Leaves七叶Mystery201k WordsCompleted He was a rich kid who grew up in the slums, with impressive martial arts skills and an untamed spirit. He was suddenly assigned to Songzhao City as captain of the criminal investigation squad. She was the team’s top student and tech geek, always drinking goji berry tea. She seemed quiet, but hid tremendous strength within. At the start of the new year, these two oddballs were forced to become partners. Together, they solved one bizarre case after another, going from clashing at every turn to spa 166Reads9.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Suspense enthusiasts rejoice: From serial murders to emotional scams, these books use meticulous logic to uncover the darkest truths—read with your eyes closed and avoid any pitfalls.

18. 218 识 The Lie-Detecting Master 识谎大师 Fire Kiss火吻Mystery292k WordsCompleted She is a master at detecting lies, able to see the true emotions hidden on every face and behind the slightest expression. He is a celebrated crime-solving genius and a rising star in the police force. They meet during a bank robbery. But who could have guessed that this seemingly simple robbery would lead to a vast international crime syndicate? A dismembered body dumped in a river, the bizarre disappearance of a close friend, a mysterious letter S, an unexplainable diamond ring, DNA that match 483Reads9.0Score108Shelves
19. 219 重 The Major Crimes Trio 重案三人组 Empty City空城Mystery477k WordsCompleted Two generations of detectives, three master and apprentice, solving mysteries together and uncovering the truth. The sorrow of children left behind, the struggles of elderly people living alone, the crimes and punishments of minors... With the wisdom and experience of veteran detectives, the sharpness and tenacity of hard-hitting officers, and the passion and quick wits of a new generation, two generations of detectives and three master-and-apprentice partners unravel one mystery after another. 3.5kReads9.3Score368Shelves
20. 220 1EN The Last Bus on Route 13 13路末班车 Old Eighty老八零Mystery813k WordsCompleted I'm the driver of the last bus on Route 13. Every night at eleven, I have to make a run to the suburbs. This book is addictive, so don't blame me if you can't put it down! In this novel, even the sharp-tongued readers who always guess the plot right will find themselves repeatedly proven wrong. You might find yourself asking, “What's going on? What's going on?” Don't doubt your sanity. Just keep reading. A story that keeps you on edge, here to save readers suffering from a reading drought! 13.5kReads9.2Score1.7kShelves
21. 221 春 Spring Banquet 春日宴 Egrets in Pairs白鹭成双Ancient Romance664k WordsCompleted She kept male favorites and toyed with powerful ministers! For eight years, the arrogant and tyrannical Princess Danyang, Li Huaiyu, wreaked havoc across the court and country. She died on the day the new emperor ascended the throne, bleeding from every orifice in a truly gruesome death. The officials celebrated and the people rejoiced: Evil gets what it deserves! Good riddance! Yet on the seventh day after her death, Princess Danyang returned to life in the body of the Bai family’s Fourth Mis 13.6kReads9.4Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    As a long-time book lover, I highly recommend these three books for your bookshelf. Books 1 and 2 are ancient romance novels by Bai Lu, and book 3 is by Yu Buyu, whose other works are also quite good.

22. 222 罪 Crime Scenes: The Cases That Shook the Nation 罪案现场，那些轰动全国的大案 Still the Same Mountain还是那座山Mystery1.0M WordsOngoing This book is adapted from several real, high-profile criminal cases that once made headlines across the country. Baffling murders, shocking robberies, investigations into cold cases, manhunts spanning multiple provinces... Every case once stunned the nation; every crime concealed a truth unknown to the public. Told from a documentary perspective, this book reconstructs the crime scenes, investigative details, criminals' minds, and the full process of bringing them to justice. These stories are 80.1kReads8.8Score5.6kShelves

    Reader note

    These are all real cases that have occurred; they are all major, authentic cases.

23. 223 这 This Assassin Is a Hopeless Romantic 这个杀手，恋爱脑 Little Forest Whale森森小鲸鱼Ancient Romance271k WordsCompleted Secret identity + Marriage first, love later + Second chance at love + The husband’s arduous pursuit + Fleeing while pregnant No palace intrigue + Mystery and deduction Money-loving, looks-obsessed assassin vs. aloof, scheming, jealous king Tao Shiyi would do anything for money. She married a useless prince for two bags of gold leaves. Seduced by his good looks, she boarded the wrong ship and nearly lost her life several times. She had no idea he saw her as nothing more than a disposable pawn. 11Reads8.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A historical crime-solving anime is worth watching, it's kind of funny haha. The male and female leads both have various disguises that are revealed one by one, it cracked me up. I heard it gets a bit angsty later on [facepalm][facepalm][facepalm]

24. 224 守 Night Watch Detective 守夜刑警 Ao Tu Man奥凸蔓Mystery357k WordsOngoing Everyone on the Criminal Investigation Team says I'm cursed. Someone died in a case my father investigated, my mother died in front of a mirror, and even my partner nearly lost their life. Then I took on the dismemberment case. The victim had been cut into seven pieces, each incision dusted with sandalwood powder. The forensic pathologist said it was the work of a deranged killer. I said it wasn't. Because in the second-floor window at the crime scene, I saw a woman in a red dress. Rain passed s 5Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This isn't a wish-fulfillment story; there's no invincible protagonist from the start. The protagonist is an ordinary detective whose only advantage is the ability to see ghosts and witness the last seven seconds of a victim's life by touching a corpse. The cases begin with a dismemberment, a woman in red, a summoning game, a mirror world… Every chapter lays the groundwork, every detail foreshadows future events. The female lead is a forensic pathologist who doesn't believe in ghosts but will risk her life alongside you. The supporting characters all have secrets; no one is purely good. If you enjoy the occult atmosphere of *Lord of Mysteries* or the urban supernatural elements of *Midnight Bookstore*, you'll likely like this one. The book is titled *Dark Night Detective*, currently being serialized on Tomato, and is already quite long.

25. 225 桃 Peach Blossoms Topple the River and Mountains 桃花折江山 Egrets in Pairs白鹭成双Ancient Romance712k WordsCompleted The TV drama Peach Blossoms Reflecting on the Mountains and Rivers, starring Liu Xueyi and Meng Ziyi. Zhao has a beauty named Taohua. Her fate is full of hardship, and she is married off to Wei far away. All she wants is to stay alive and climb her way up. Wei has a handsome chancellor who is ruthless and sharp-tongued, sweet on the surface but treacherous within. He cares nothing for anyone's life, so long as he gets what he wants. Taohua thinks everyone loves beautiful things. Surely he can't 395Reads9.0Score114Shelves
26. 226 一 A Life Full of Joy 一笙有喜 Fish Doesn't Speak鱼不语Modern Romance2.6M WordsCompleted [A breathtaking beauty, a fallen heiress, VS a refined, aloof heir to a powerful Beijing family. Marriage first, love later + sweet romance + clear-headed heroine] After a sudden upheaval, Song Xi has no choice but to marry the refined, aloof heir to the Qiao family. At first, though, the two are like needle and wheat: neither can stand the other. Who could have guessed that they’d later be so sweet together? Their friends all complained, “Leave us single people a way to live!” One day, Presiden 33.7kReads9.5Score3.7kShelves
27. 227 破 The Broken Mirror Murder Case 破镜缉凶 Yu Xinghui余星晖Mystery270k WordsCompleted [Mystery + Criminal Investigation + Deduction + Case-of-the-Week + Long Main Plot + No Romance + Solving Crimes] On a livestream, a bride in red hangs herself from an ancient locust tree. A million viewers watch as her corpse follows an invisible track and “walks” back to the crime scene. I'm Qin Niu, captain of the criminal investigation team in Changping City. The people I'm up against aren't ghosts, but a group of “crime designers.” They use magnetic levitation to transport corpses, infrasou 11Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I'd like to recommend myself; comments are welcome.

28. 228 我 I Broke into the Mine to Uncover My Forebears’ Secrets 我闯矿场揭开父辈秘密 Tang of Tangtang唐唐的唐Mystery89k WordsOngoing Ten years ago, my father mysteriously disappeared at the Red Clay Mine. The authorities declared him dead. Ten years later, half of a severed hand bearing a cross mark appeared out of nowhere in my refrigerator. The hand led the way, and the cross was the key, forcing me to enter the mine that had been abandoned for ten years. Footprints in the tunnels, brand-new old shoes, the sound of breathing right outside the door… Every clue pointed to one truth: my father was still alive. —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The climax starts right away, with the refrigerator freezing your hands and then exploding. The plot is intricately linked, featuring a half-baked detective and a timid but adorable brother. It's both hilarious and thrilling, with a red clay mine, a mysterious person, and a mass disappearance case. The atmosphere is incredibly immersive. It's neither fantasy nor supernatural; the early episodes are purely about ordinary people solving cases, making it realistic and suffocating. The plot holes are very well laid out, with constant twists and turns. Enter at your own risk if you're easily scared, but you won't be able to stop watching once you start!

29. 229 许 Xu Changsheng Investigates 许长生探案 Shanghai Baomu上海宝木Mystery619k WordsCompleted Police Captain Xu Changsheng, known to his team as “Little Zhuge,” faces one tangled case after another. He always manages to unravel the clues, find the key evidence, and bring the criminals to justice. This book records several particularly challenging cases that showcase Xu Changsheng’s deductive skills. 11.4kReads9.0Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    Try this book, a classic Chinese-style suspense and mystery novel adapted from real cases. It is arranged in an episodic format, and the intelligent criminal police captain does not rely on special abilities but purely on reasonable logical thinking to solve one case after another (the Baiyin serial murder case, the impersonation case, the educated youth returning home case). The reasoning is reasonable, the mind-bending and exciting, and it is worth reading carefully.

30. 230 惊 Thriller: From the Start, I Got a Ghost Marriage and a Stunning Ghost Bride 惊悚：开局冥婚，我喜得绝美诡妻 Skinny Dog Chasing Rabbits细狗撵兔子Rural Life200k WordsOngoing Horror + mystery + genius + cultivation + comedy + no disappointing ending + coming-of-age Eight years ago, I peeked through a crack in the door at my big brother Asan's new bride bathing, and from then on, her beautiful, captivating figure haunted my dreams. I could never forget her. When we met again, we fell into each other's arms. After I woke up, several black spots of unknown origin had appeared on my body. A chilling wind howled, and something uncanny clung to me. One terrifying secret af 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    In an era where themes of genius, humor, and the supernatural are largely similar, this book possesses a unique charm that captivated me. From then on, even the emperor neglected his morning court duties.

31. 231 左 My Left Eye Rewinds Time, My Right Eye Judges: From the Start, White Hair Rules Forensics 左眼回溯右眼审：开局白发镇刑侦 A Bowl of Soup Curry一碗汤咖喱Mystery108k WordsOngoing [Criminal Investigation] [Face-Slapping] [Revenge] [Urban Fantasy] [Episodic Cases + Main Story] I awakened an eye that burns through my lifespan. My hair turned white overnight, but I could see the past and judge the guilty. With my left hand, I turn back time. With my right, I command hell. When I used the little life I had left to gaze at the mastermind smiling at a charity gala, the entire Yunding Group began to tremble. 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    New book, great book, highly recommended! Worth reading!

32. 232 恶 The Evil Tale (Complete) 恶谭（全文） Bai Ze白泽Mystery1.4M WordsCompleted [Suspense + criminal investigation + deduction + episodic cases + the depths of human nature + no romance + crime-solving focus] “When a person’s heart is filled with darkness, evil takes root there. The guilty are not the criminals, but those who create the darkness.” A distress call received in the early hours comes from a dead person’s phone number. A murder in a village is reported in the news, with the Wolf God suspected of being responsible! Men in Liangcheng are repeatedly found to have b 1.5kReads8.8Score203Shelves

    Reader note

    The writing is solid, the atmosphere is superbly crafted, and the reading experience is fantastic. The process of solving each case feels like watching a high-quality American crime drama series. 😎

33. 233 罪 Marks of Guilt 罪痕 Er Jin二今Mystery532k WordsCompleted Is there always evil behind every crime? Real cases reveal the truth about human nature. [Crime Investigation] [Not a Web Novel] [Not a Wish-Fulfillment Story] Strange and major cases, from human flesh takeout and a cat corpse found in a belly to a body hanging in Xian Lake, are uncovered one by one across the country. 1.9kReads8.7Score211Shelves

    Reader note

    The author is truly remarkable! The very first case is captivating, incredibly realistic, concise and to the point, without any forced plot twists or suspense; the writing is superb!

34. 234 侧 Disaster Profiling: The Entire Song Dynasty Is Hunting Me 侧写天灾：我被全大宋通缉了 A Bowl of Soup Curry一碗汤咖喱Mystery109k WordsOngoing [Crime Solving] [Brotherhood] [Extreme Contrast] [Dynastic Espionage] [Transmigration] He is a walking “profiling disaster,” and every time he uses his gift, he comes closer to becoming a monster. I am a constable sent by the court, yet I have become the only one who can “bring him back to himself.” When the whole world wants him dead, I tear up the wanted notice. “If you want to touch him, you'll have to get past the blade in my hand.” —Reads—Score—Shelves
35. 235 冬 The Prince of Winter X The Camellia Beauty X Romantic Love Poems 冬之王子X山茶花美人X浪漫情诗 Five Mirrors五条镜Mystery250k WordsCompleted Also known as: The Butterfly on the Hanging Lock This is a light-novel-style story set in a fictional world. In the city of Zhenye, the forces at play are tangled together, with undercurrents churning... The military, the underworld, the church! Poise, elegance, beauty! A meticulously plotted romantic mystery! A villainous, scheming heroine x a cold yet gentle hero. They dwell in darkness, loving and fighting each other, with no need for redemption! Told through a POV narrative style, similar to 5Reads7.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A blend of suspense, mystery, and romance, this light novel is set in a fictional world. In the city of "Zhenye," various forces are intertwined, with undercurrents swirling... Military, gangs, the church! Elegance, grace, and beauty abound! The main plot is compelling, and the author, a stickler for detail, explains everything clearly. It's truly a super enjoyable read!

36. 236 尸 The Dead Speak: Cases from Harbor City 尸语追凶：港城谜案录 Hairpin Edge簪锋Mystery528k WordsCompleted In a prosperous harbor city where neon lights blot out the sky, crime never sleeps in the shadows. A red-clad corpse found floating in Victoria Harbour shocks the entire city and sets off a string of murders. It also forces three people who can barely stand one another to form an unlikely crime-solving trio. He is Lu Chen, a senior inspector in the Major Crimes Unit: domineering and hot-tempered, he trusts experience and speed. Beneath his machismo, he is protective and soft-hearted, but he can 412Reads—Score111Shelves

    Reader note

    Shared Karma, Shared Retribution: No One Can Escape – A Re-evaluation of Zan Feng's *The Corpse Whisperer: The Mystery of Hong Kong City Part Four – The Horror of the Old Drama, The Stage's Deadly Retribution* In Zan Feng's *The Horror of the Old Drama, The Stage's Deadly Retribution*, no one is purely innocent, nor is anyone purely evil. This is precisely the Buddhist understanding of "shared karma": a group of people, due to common causes and conditions, are drawn into the same karmic retribution, intertwined with each other, and no one can remain unscathed. The *Samyutta Nikaya* states: "There are causes and conditions that bring about the world; there are causes and conditions that bring about the world." (*Samyutta Nikaya*, Volume 12) The wire stunt accident ten years ago was such a "collected" act of shared karma. I. The Net of Shared Karma: Actors on Stage, Manipulators Offstage Buddhism divides karma into "shared karma" and "individual karma." Shared karma refers to the karmic force created and borne jointly by a group of people. The core members of the Guanghua Drama Troupe—Jiang Yi, Zhou Kai, Gao Tiancheng, Su Man, and even the deceased Xu Qingran and the wrongly accused Chen Yu—are all bound in the same net of karma. Jiang Yi's forced alteration of the wire harness parameters constitutes physical karma; Zhou Kai's perjury and framing constitutes verbal karma; Gao Tiancheng, as the boss, hastily closing the case and rushing to sever ties afterward constitutes mental karma; Su Man, knowing the truth but remaining silent, is also an accomplice. The *Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana* states: "Based on the Dharma of One Mind, there are two gates. One is the gate of the true nature of mind, and the other is the gate of the arising and ceasing of mind." (*Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana*) The minds of many influence each other within the gate of arising and ceasing, with fear, selfishness, and indifference weaving together to form a powerful torrent of collective karma. Xu Qingran's death was not the fault of one person, but the convergence of many unwholesome thoughts. Zanfeng does not place the blame entirely on Jiang Yi, but allows the reader to see that the indifferent bystanders, the silent insiders, and the boss eager to protect himself all left their mark in the collective karma. II. Individual Karma: Starting from the same point, but ending at different points, under the collective karma, each person's individual karma is different, and their karmic retribution is also different. Jiang Yi and Zhou Kai actively committed evil, and their karmic retribution was tragic—they were strangled on stage. Although Gao Tiancheng didn't directly frame Chen Yu, his mismanagement and hasty attempts to shirk responsibility after the incident led to ten years of poverty, ultimately leaving him living in fear. Su Man didn't participate in the framing, but her choice to leave and remain silent after the incident resulted in lifelong guilt and fear. The most intriguing cases are those of Chen Yu and Qi Yin. Chen Yu was completely innocent, yet she was dragged into the collective karma, enduring ten years of mental torment. This is the most unjust aspect of "individual karma." The *Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra* states, "Karma has many forms; some are fixed, some are unfixed, some are unbearable." (*Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra*, Volume 90). Was Chen Yu's suffering a consequence of her past life, or an undeserved misfortune in this life? Buddhism acknowledges the existence of "effects without cause"—some suffering is not due to one's own actions, but rather the individual sacrifice crushed by collective karma. Qi Yin's karmic entanglement for revenge stems precisely from this "injustice." Qi Yin could have avoided involvement. She didn't participate in any of the evil deeds of that year; she was merely Xu Qingran's sister. But because of blood ties and because she witnessed her sister's tragic death, she willingly jumped into the web of shared karma. In the interrogation room, she said, "Qingran is my only blood relative in this life, and I owe her justice." This "debt" was one she herself acknowledged—originally there was no karmic debt, but love created attachment, and attachment created new karma. Her killing was her own karma, not something imposed on her by Xu Qingran. III. Attachment as the Cause, Reincarnation as the Effect Buddhism believes that the root of reincarnation is "ignorance" and "attachment." Qi Yin couldn't let go for ten years, not because she couldn't let go of her sister, but because she couldn't let go of the obsession of "seeking justice for her." The Lotus Sutra says, "All dharmas, from their original nature, are always in a state of quiescence." (Lotus Sutra, Chapter on Expedient Means) Xu Qingran is dead; in this state of quiescence, there is no enmity. Yet Qi Yin solidified her sister's death into an event that had to be resolved, repeatedly replaying, replicating, and rehearsing it in her mind. The miniature stage in the rented room, the stage outline drawn with paint, the positions of the paper figures—these are all external manifestations of her obsession. She turned her obsession into tangible installation art, constantly reminding herself not to forget. This is like the Buddhist saying "recognizing a thief as one's father," taking an illusory obsession as a real mission. Jiang Yi and Zhou Kai are dead, but her obsession has not disappeared; it has simply changed from "revenge" to "accepting judgment." Her calmness in the interrogation room is not liberation, but the completion of another obsession: finally, she no longer has to act. IV. The Inconceivable Power of Karma: The Two Ends of the Rope The rope is the most symbolic object in this case. One end is Jiang Yi's neck, and the other end is Qi Yin's hand. Buddhism speaks of "karma as a rope," pulling sentient beings through the cycle of reincarnation in the six realms. Qi Yin thought she was "using the rope" to punish others, unaware that she had long been bound by the rope of karma—ten years ago, the moment she witnessed her sister's death at the back door of the theater, the karmic rope had already been tied. With each step she took, the rope tightened; with each day she planned, the rope tied a knot. The *Śūraṅgama Sūtra* says, "You owe me a life, I repay you a debt; because of this cause and condition, for hundreds of thousands of kalpas, we are constantly in the cycle of birth and death." (ŚūRaṅgama Sūtra, Volume 4) Jiang Yi owes Xu Qingran a life, and Qi Yin comes to collect; Qi Yin owes Jiang Yi and Zhou Kai two lives, and the law comes to collect. In the end, no one is freed. For hundreds of thousands of kalpas, we are constantly in the cycle of birth and death—this is the eternal cycle of human tragedy. V. The Possibility of Liberation: Letting Go is Detachment The novel offers a glimmer of hope for liberation—Chen Yu. She went mad, she woke up, and finally chose not to hate, not to wait (not to wait for Qi Yin to return for revenge, but only to wait for her to return). She didn't kill again, she didn't take the blame again, she simply lived. This seems cowardly, but it is actually great courage. The *Diamond Sutra* says, "The past mind is unattainable, the present mind is unattainable, the future mind is unattainable." (Diamond Sutra, Chapter 13) Chen Yu is not bound by the past mind (grievances), nor driven by the future mind (revenge), but dwells in the present, and thus gains freedom. Qi Yin cannot. She cannot let go of the past. So she was in prison, while Chen Yu was outside in the sunlight. The same karmic rope, one still bound, the other already untied. In conclusion, Zanfeng, through a suspenseful story, paints a picture of the flow of karma. Shared karma draws everyone into the game, individual karma brings suffering and joy, and obsession becomes the fuel of reincarnation. The rope of the abandoned theater is finally removed, but the rope in the reader's heart may not be. Closing the book, one might ask oneself: Do I have a "ten years ago" I can't let go of? Am I currently weaving a karmic rope myself? Cause and effect are undeniable; be cautious, be cautious.

37. 237 冰 Zero Point Detective Agency 冰点侦探事务所 Sister Corpse尸姐Modern Romance314k WordsCompleted [Standalone Cases + Republican-Era Crime Investigation + Crime + Hard-Boiled Deduction + Stunning Twists] One head, two heads, three... Look at those heads, swaying precariously in the depths of a cold well, their dark blue hair spreading out. Deep in the memory, crimson blood blooms like flowers. ...There’s a famous detective agency in Shanghai. They say its owner is a young lady, yet everyone insists on calling her Second Young Master! There’s no case in this city she can’t solve! Six people h 465Reads—Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    It's a crime-solving series where each case is relatively independent, logically sound, and full of twists and turns. If you haven't seen it, you definitely need to check it out; you won't regret it! [Drooling emojis]

38. 238 烟 Tears Behind the Misty Veil 烟纱泪 Yun Qi Nian1云七念1Modern Romance133k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + revenge] Li Yuyan married Lei Ye, the eldest son of a publicly listed conglomerate, but lost her husband in an accident. Later, she began to suspect that his family had something to do with his death. Overwhelmed by longing for him, she transmigrated through the power of her thoughts into the childhood of Qi Yunsha, the heiress who had grown up with her husband. Taking Qi Yunsha’s identity, she set out to solve the mystery, only to discover that another soul had transmigrated w 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Synopsis: Li Yuyan married Lei Ye, the eldest son of a listed company, but lost her husband in an accident. Later, she suspected that her husband's death was related to his family. Because of her longing for him, her psychic powers transported her to the childhood of Qi Yunsha, her husband's childhood sweetheart and a wealthy heiress. As Qi Yunsha, she unravels the mystery, discovering that another soul had traveled with her. The two work together to uncover the truth. But the truth is cruel; the one who killed Lei Ye was…

39. 239 刚 I Just Transmigrated and Solved a Major Case. That's Totally Reasonable, Right? 刚穿越，就破了大案，很合理吧 Lone Thinker独思客Urban761k WordsCompleted 426Reads8.4Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    Crime-solving, suspenseful reasoning, and lighthearted humor.

40. 240 告 Falsely Accused After a Confession, My First Case Shocks the World 告白被诬陷，第一次破案震惊世界 Three Thousand Squid三千乌贼Mystery318k WordsCompleted He transmigrates to a parallel world. Ning Changhe becomes a police academy student about to start an internship at the police station. He also awakens the Police God Crime-Solving System, receiving from the start an array of terrifyingly powerful skills, including forensic medicine, professional criminal psychology, and professional trace analysis. Planning to keep a low profile and bide his time, Ning Changhe hopes to quietly build up his skills and find someone he likes who likes him back. Bu 7Reads6.4Score—Shelves
41. 241 妈 Mom’s New Year’s Eve Dinner 妈妈的年夜饭 Wu Jianyu午涧屿14k WordsCompleted Mom’s New Year’s Eve Dinner 267Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Suspense, female mutual assistance, multiple plot twists

42. 242 大 Bro, You're a Cop, Not a Taoist Priest! 大哥，你是警察啊，不是道士！ Mou Zui谋醉Mystery2.1M WordsCompleted [If you dislike cutesy, whimpering heroines, read no further] [Also known as: Me, a humble paper effigy maker, and you want me to crack a major case] When Yue Dong went to a telecom service center to cancel his late grandfather’s phone service, the staff gave him a hard time. “Rules are rules. The account holder has to be here in person!” “You have to follow the rules!” Yue Dong laughed in exasperation, then waved his hand and used his paper effigy-making skills to summon his late grandfather. T 71.6kReads9.2Score7.4kShelves

    Reader note

    These are all very beautiful.

43. 243 吹 The Flute Player: I'll See You Off on Your Final Journey 吹笙人：送你最后一程 The Little Flying Whale会飞的小鲸鱼Mystery303k WordsCompleted A terrifying shadow in the rain, a ghostly wail from a high-rise, a pair of eerie red high heels, inexplicable red stains in a bathroom stall... One wrongful case after another gradually comes to light. I'm the last person who plays the sheng: I'll see you on your final journey. A heads-up: The first chapter isn't very good, and I can't revise it. Please don't rush to drop the book, dear readers. Keep going and there are surprises ahead. This is a new book and doesn't have a rating yet. The lead —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I'm here to recommend a book! The female lead is a sheng player who can communicate with spirits, and the male lead is the head of the paranormal case team. A powerful duo, perfect for solving cases with a touch of sweet romance. It also tells many stories about cases that reveal aspects of human nature. Read on without worry! [Kiss][Shy][Shy][Shy][Kiss]

44. 244 迷 When the Fog Lifts: The Mystery of the 307 Ghost Ship’s Appearance 迷雾散尽时，307幽灵船现身之谜 Western Fujian Snacks闽西小吃11k WordsCompleted When the fog clears, the mystery of Ghost Ship 307’s appearance —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    After being reborn, I sent my wicked brother to prison.

45. 245 重 The Major Crimes Unit Has No Room for Slackers 重案组不养闲人 Little Dragon Kid小龙人儿Mystery553k WordsCompleted Although Gu Yuling dropped out of the journalism department at Bincheng University a long time ago, legends about her still linger there. When her college roommate died under mysterious circumstances, she quit without a second thought and applied to the Criminal Police Academy. Not only did she get in, she ranked first in every subject and graduated early, becoming the first person in the academy’s history to do so. Those who know her have pretty much just one thing to say about her: she’s a for 465Reads6.5Score104Shelves

    Reader note

    Both the male and female leads are criminal police officers; the stories are episodic and heavily reliant on deduction!

46. 246 女 Terror at the Girls’ School: The Mystery of the 307 Fall 女校惊魂之307跳楼之谜 Western Fujian Snacks闽西小吃15k WordsCompleted Terror at the Girls’ School: The Mystery of the 307 Jump —Reads—Score—Shelves
47. 247 破 Breaking Through the Waves 破浪 Ke Mulan柯沐兰Mystery516k WordsCompleted She was once a happy daughter, cherished by her parents. But her mother died young, and her father, an undercover agent, was brutally murdered. Still a child, she had to hide her identity and live with her grandmother on a remote island. Her unusual life made her keep her distance from others, but her inborn talent and desire for revenge set her on the path to becoming a police officer. He was a born star, but had no interest in business and refused to inherit his parents’ vast fortune, joining 285Reads8.8Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    These are all excellent suspense and crime novels. Some have romantic pairings, some don't, and some have two male leads.

48. 248 悬 Mystery Detective Li Jin 悬疑侦探李金 Western Fujian Snacks闽西小吃Mystery100k WordsCompleted The mystery of the Ghostface Reef treasure The “perfect locked-room” suicide The “ghost” serial cases The mystery of the blood curse at the old mansion The mystery of the Mount Wuyin murders Li Jin, captain of the city criminal investigation team, is a name that strikes fear into the hearts of criminals. To his friends, he is a “master detective”; to his subordinates, he is their “rock”; to criminals, he is a “nightmare.” 3Reads—Score—Shelves
49. 249 失 The Mystery of the Disappearance 失踪疑云 Shen Siyuan沈思源Mystery90k WordsOngoing Wu Shijie, a loner, disappears after leaving Yin An a mysterious phone message. Yin An had no connection to him, but the clues all point to her being closely tied to Wu Shijie's disappearance. Before long, Yin An disappears too. While investigating, police officer He Jin stumbles across a secret organization hidden in the town, with a vast underground network. Yin An reappears with a secret of her own. She decides to join forces with He Jin to find Wu Shijie and obtain evidence of the organiz 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Suspenseful, mind-bending, realistic, with plot twists, and a romantic subplot between the male and female leads. Synopsis: A withdrawn classmate disappears after leaving the female lead a phone number. The male lead (a police officer) discovers during his investigation that the disappearance is inextricably linked to the female lead. While investigating in the female lead's hometown, a mysterious organization gradually surfaces. The female lead discovers that her closest family members are connected to this organization. The male and female leads then join forces to investigate the mysterious organization and gather evidence of their crimes… There are more twists to come, so stay tuned if you're curious! [Laughs] Newbie here, please give me some pointers! [Kissing emoji]

50. 250 清 Old Tales of Qingye 清叶旧事 Wu San, Who Loves Chili Shrimp爱吃辣椒虾仁的武三Mystery81k WordsOngoing At 8 a.m. on June 21, 2016, a man surnamed Ma was out for his morning run when he found a floating body in the shallow waters of the Hongqu River. A police investigation later identified the deceased as Fu Niancuo, the former deputy county magistrate of Qingye County, aged 72. He had died from a single fatal blow to the back of the head with a blunt object. 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    New book, take a look, keep it if you like it.

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