Looking for Fast-Paced Historical Mystery and Detective Novels! No Romance! 求古风+悬疑探案+节奏快的小说！不要恋爱！

1. 1 狄 Di Renjie: I'm a Detective in the Wu Zhou Dynasty 狄仁杰：我在武周当神探 Hooked Moon Night钩月夜Mystery849k WordsCompleted [Ancient China] [Mystery Solving] [Suspense] [Not Historically Accurate] [Multiple Female Leads] [Amazing Detective Di Renjie + Strange Tales of the Tang Dynasty] Zhang Chen, a seasoned mystery buff, transmigrates into the world of Amazing Detective Di Renjie and becomes a county magistrate. He obtains a Case-Solving System. Each time he cracks a case, the System offers a different reward depending on its difficulty, ranging from mobile phones and computers to toilet paper and drinks. Chancellor 24.7kReads8.4Score2.3kShelves

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   The protagonist, a mystery enthusiast, is transported into the world of Detective Dee and his character, Di Renjie, to solve cases. The pace of the crime-solving is fast, and there's a harem element; the overall focus is on solving cases and rising through the ranks.

2. 2 回 Back in the Capital, the Brilliant Miss Is Famous Across the Land 回京后，神算大小姐名满天下 Bright Blue灿蓝Ancient Romance741k WordsCompleted [No romance + metaphysics + fortune-telling + satisfying read + secret identity + ghost-catching + lighthearted, no angst~] Yun Zhuo of the Xiao family was abandoned as a child. When her relatives come looking for her, she decisively returns to the capital to become a thorn in their side. Her birth mother says she’s uncouth and illiterate? But in the blink of an eye, she’s welcomed into the capital’s circle of master scholars, discussing poetry and prose and interpreting the fate of the world. T 154kReads9.6Score20.1kShelves

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   These two books are suitable, and the audio narration is excellent. Especially the one called "The Short-Lived Ghost of the Xie Family Lived to Be a Hundred Years Old," which is rumored to be adapted into a TV series, starring Liu Yifei and Chen Xiao. I was a little scared when I read the first few chapters [shy emoji], but the subject matter is also novel.

3. 3 谢 The Xie Family's Short-Lived Son Has Lived to a Hundred 谢家的短命鬼长命百岁了 Yi Ran怡然Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted [Screen adaptation rights sold] The lid of a dead person's coffin won't lie flat because they had an unresolved longing in life. Given time, that longing turns into a demonic obsession, and unless it is resolved, their descendants will suffer. Yan Sanhe's job is to release the dead from their obsessions. One day, she gets hounded by Third Master Xie, who claims to have one. Yan Sanhe says she doesn't deal with the living. Third Master Xie replies, “Everyone says I won't live long. Just think of 125.4kReads9.6Score17kShelves
4. 4 诡 The Strange Female Detective: Too Few Days of Romance 诡案女奇探：少逢烂漫时 Dai Cong代琮Mystery393k WordsCompleted They first met while investigating a case in the morgue. Lou Bai: “That woman climbs walls pretty fast.” An arrow shot straight into the woman's shoulder. Tang Tang'er: “Black clothes, pale face. What kind of lousy ‘King of Hell’ are you? You have a dog's nose, though.” She flung a cloud of medicinal powder into his face. Lou Bai and Tang Tang'er: “What a nuisance!” When they met again, a misunderstanding made them colleagues at the Bai'an Prefecture. Together with a group of young men from the 1.5kReads9.4Score252Shelves

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   Book 1: The Iron Triangle Team, Question 2: A Group Portrait of Ancient Chinese Detective Fiction

5. 5 唐 Strange Tales of the Tang Dynasty: The Rebellious Son of the Cui Family 唐朝诡事录之崔家逆子 Listening to the Wind at the Ferry听风余渡Mystery516k WordsOngoing Don't be put off by the rating, it just came out! (Tang Dynasty Strange Tales fanfic + original plotline + standalone cases + making up for regrets) Among the great aristocratic clans under heaven, the Cui clan of Qinghe stands above all. For a hundred years, they have upheld the rites and passed down their traditions, earning praise for their noble character. But now there is a rebellious son of the Cui family who neglects the rites, loves nothing but banned books from the previous dynasty, and 5.5kReads6.2Score450Shelves

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   This fanfiction, "Tales of the Tang Dynasty," tells the story of a series of deaths in Yexian County, with seven people mysteriously disappearing, a "Sky-Gazing Mirror" appearing, and rumors of ghosts claiming lives spreading throughout the city. It's really good; the cases are very exciting.

6. 6 摸 Bone Reading and Skin Painting 摸骨画皮 Ji Cheng吉诚Mystery928k WordsCompleted Qin Zhao is one of the finest forensic experts in the field. She made her name through sheer professional ability and is known as an oddball with sky-high IQ and rock-bottom EQ. Thanks to her remarkable skill at reading bones and reconstructing faces, she can restore the appearance of the living from even the most severely decomposed corpses. But during a field assignment, she was hit by a stray bullet and died on the spot! For no apparent reason, her soul ended up in the body of Zhaor, a countr 2.5kReads8.2Score375Shelves

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   The female lead is a coroner, and the male lead is a member of the Imperial Guard. It's incredibly good, with a fast pace, strong leads, and a dense caseload—it's very enjoyable to watch! Qin Zhao and Lu Zheng! Fast-paced! Lots of cases! Super addictive!

7. 7 春 A Spring Breeze Runs Wild 春风骄甚 I Want to Slim Down to a Bolt of Lightning我要瘦成一道闪电Two Male Leads1.1M WordsCompleted Xin Huaizi followed in his father's footsteps and became a low-ranking constable at the county yamen in a poor, remote region. There was no future in being a low-ranking constable. Fortunately, Xin Huai used knowledge from a more civilized world he'd once visited to solve case after case. Not only did he earn rewards for solving them, he also acquired the nickname “Little Ace Detective.” He thought life would carry on quietly like this, but who could have expected an imperial envoy to suddenly s 3.6kReads9.1Score379Shelves

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   There was no romantic relationship, just a tiny bit of ambiguity, and cases kept piling up.

8. 8 长 The Dead Cross the River at Chang’an 长安尸渡 Brown Sugar Zongzi红糖粽子Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted A detective story whose heroine can perform autopsies and solve cases. Once her period of mourning was over, Wen Qingning packed her bags and returned to Chang’an, only to find that her fiancé, Shen Muhuai, had not only taken a concubine but also married a new wife. His household was practically a garden in full bloom. Shen Muhuai gazed at Wen Qingning tenderly. “A Ning, I took a concubine for your sake and married a new wife for your sake! A Ning, I did it all for you!” Wen Qingning looked at S 19.5kReads9.0Score2.9kShelves

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   It doesn't have a complicated background, no stunningly beautiful female lead, and a superhero male lead; it's really good.

9. 9 女 Get Lost, Goddess! I Only Have Eyes for the Female Supporting Character 女神滚，我独好宠女配 Sword Flying Through Flowers剑飞花Eastern Fantasy1.0M WordsCompleted At Tiger-Wolf Mountain, Shen Yihuan, a young disciple of the Dongli Sect, accidentally rescues a female disciple of the Emei Sect. The two soon discover that they have stumbled upon a conspiracy revolving around one of the “Ten Sects’ Four Beauties.” Along the way, they search for a way to save people and meet Xia Hongmei, Xiao Xueer, and others, all among the Ten Sects’ Four Beauties of the Ten Sects Alliance. They are swept up in the upheavals among the ten sects, cross paths with members of t 1.2kReads6.8Score101Shelves

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   Traditional martial arts fiction prioritizes a plausible plot, emphasizing martial arts descriptions, suspense, and poignant romance. On Tiger Wolf Mountain, Shen Yihuan, a young man from the Dongli Sect, inadvertently saves a female disciple from the Emei Sect. The two later discover a conspiracy surrounding one of the "Ten Sects and Four Beauties." Following this, they search for her, befriending the "Ten Sects and Four Beauties"—Xia Hongmei, Xiao Xue'er, and Leng Qingluo—within the Ten Sects Alliance, becoming embroiled in the power struggles of the Ten Sects and encountering members of the Demonic Cult, leading to a series of exciting martial arts adventures.

10. 10 镇 The Zhenfusi Case Files 镇抚司缉凶录 The Smiling Witch爱笑的女巫Mystery300k WordsCompleted [A reserved, honest heir to a prominent family × a free-spirited, highly skilled heroine, one-on-one romance, detective work and revenge, reunion after years apart] Chu Zhi, a beggar from Ghost City, is the closed-door disciple of the Marquis of Anqing, Chu Qingxuan. The ninth in her generation, she is a peerless martial artist and unmatched in beauty. Bright and gifted, Chu Zhi solves a cold case at fifteen and makes a name for herself in the capital. The Emperor grants her a marriage, and she 7Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    There's very little romance; it's mostly crime-solving. I recommend it.

11. 11 逆 Against the Meridians: Liar, Stop! 逆经：骗子住手 Ren Fanwuyin任梵无音Eastern Fantasy1.3M WordsCompleted [Original novel for the animated series This Taoist Is Not Quite Right] Life is unpredictable. The fit thrive under Heaven's law, Those skilled in force become generals, those skilled in strategy become kings. Born into the lowest of professions, he refuses to live like a nobody, He waves the yin-yang banner and sees through the Six Lines of Divination. Watch him play at being a spirit medium, watch him swindle and deceive, Watch him make ruthless decisions, watch him rise like a hidden dragon f 43.3kReads9.4Score4.5kShelves

    Reader note

    Martial arts, crime-solving, and political intrigue combine to create a unique tale of the martial world and the imperial court. A truly captivating novel—you'll be hooked! 🌟

12. 12 罪 The Sinful Buddha's Strange Cases: A Female Imperial Guard Who Kills Buddhas When She Meets Them 罪佛诡案：女锦衣卫办案遇佛杀佛 Wen Tianyao文天尧Mystery620k WordsCompleted The Case of the Sinful Buddha: A Female Embroidered Uniform Guard Kills Buddhas and Demons Alike tells a story that opens with a bloody murder at the capital's top embroidery workshop, Splendid Pavilion. Su Axiu, a highly skilled embroiderer, is found murdered in her workshop in an utterly bizarre fashion. Her blood has been used to complete an unfinished embroidery of A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix. Threads and blood vessels intertwine in a horrifying scene of "living threads sti 23Reads—Score—Shelves
13. 13 长 Murder on Chang'an Street 长安街探案 Yu Ji虞姬Mystery2.5M WordsCompleted This is a lighthearted mystery-detective novel about an obscure neighborhood beat cop who transmigrates to the prosperous Tang dynasty and somehow becomes the nation's greatest detective. 5.7kReads8.9Score542Shelves

    Reader note

    The pace is fast, with each case consisting of approximately 10 chapters in the early stages.

14. 14 锦 Jinyue Burns the Mountains and Rivers 锦月焚山河 Lan Lan Yu Chen蓝蓝雨辰Martial Arts105k WordsOngoing Beneath her bridal finery, she is Qingluan, a descendant of the former dynasty and leader of the Hidden Scale Guard, entrusted with a secret mission to restore the empire. Her frail, ailing appearance as a young prince's consort is merely the perfect disguise. Beneath his playboy exterior, he is Xuanlin, the emperor's blade and commander of the Dragon Shadow Guard, ordered to exterminate the remnants of the former dynasty. His reputation as a pleasure-seeking young noble is nothing but a beguil —Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Purely ancient romance: Two powerful figures join forces to slap each other in the face, identities are revealed, they outwit the villains, there is emotional tension in the clash of strong forces, and a grand vision for the country and its people.

15. 15 打 Work Hard, Live Hard: This Official Is a Real One 打工人打工魂，本官是个社会人 Mu Sanyi沐三亦Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Completed] [Woman disguises herself as a man + everyone has a secret identity (ensemble cast) + two heroines + absurd comedy + laugh-out-loud humor + episodic crime-solving + no male lead + no System] In ancient times, Hua Mulan joined the army in her father's place. Today, Lin Qingge takes her brother's place in the civil service. She, Lin Qingge, is a tough-as-nails woman and a three-time provincial champion in criminal investigation competitions. She led her team in solving countless major 554Reads8.9Score104Shelves

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    Five stars. I recently read one of my books.

16. 16 大EN The Tang Dynasty's Pearl-Dispelling Record (Original Novel of the TV Adaptation Starring Tian Xiwei and Song Weilong) 大唐辟珠记（田曦薇、宋威龙主演同名影视原著） Meal Card饭卡Martial Arts810k WordsCompleted [All-New Bonus Edition] [A Screen Adaptation with the Same Title Has Been Officially Announced, Starring Tian Xiwei and Song Weilong] [Beloved Princess Reborn: Looks Like a Delicate Crybaby, Actually a Well-Rounded Warrior] ✖ [Defiant, Doomed, Devoted, Pure-Hearted Top Jianghu Big Shot] [Their Romance Is So Sweet It Makes You Cry] Princess Wanshou, blessed with the Tang emperor's favor and love, died of an illness at just seventeen. A thief secretly opened the eerie underground palace, only to d 203.8kReads9.7Score25.2kShelves

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    Yan Sanhe makes a living by helping the dead resolve their inner demons, but she gets entangled with Xie Sanye, who is known for his short lifespan. He insists that she resolve his inner demons ahead of time. After that, everyone in the capital is dumbfounded. Xie Sanye, who always claimed not to harm young ladies, spends his days in rouge and jewelry shops, just to please Yan Sanhe. Only then do people realize that the person Xie Sanye loves is none other than her.

17. 17 簪 The Record of Hairpins (Complete in 4 Volumes) 簪中录（全4册） A Chilly Breeze on Either Side侧侧轻寒Mystery992k WordsCompleted The little red fish Agashnie, which feeds on human blood; the mysterious talisman that had followed Li Shubai for years; Empress Wang, the peerless beauty of the Daming Palace; three clusters of doodles written by the late emperor himself before his death; a marriage contract made with Wang Yun in their youth... Every mystery returns to its point of origin. Every choice remains beyond anyone’s control, as impossible to resist or escape as fate itself. Yang Chonggu has returned to the palace and 17.3kReads9.7Score2.8kShelves

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    I absolutely love ancient Chinese detective stories, so I'd recommend these: ✨① A personal favorite by a Chinese-style mystery author. The main characters are a brilliant strategist, an upright and loyal dog, and a dashing playboy. There's no female lead. ✨② A highly popular mystery romance with intricately woven cases. Very enjoyable. ✨③④ By the same author, with a lighter writing style. The novel "Little Coroner" also has a TV series adaptation, and I feel the original work is excellent. ✨⑤ Set in the Tang Dynasty, with well-developed male and female leads and good writing. ✨⑥ It's been quite popular recently, and the uncut version is fantastic (you know what I mean). ✨⑦ I saw it has high ratings and was planning to check it out.

18. 18 山 Beauty and Strategy in a Land of Rivers and Mountains 山河美人谋 Moonset月落Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Proud young lady who always gets even vs. frail, scheming Ninth Prince] Her fiancé was a total jerk, and he was planning to kill her to keep her quiet. Ye Jiao decided to strike first and find a scapegoat while she was at it. She thought the scapegoat would be a transparent, sickly “living corpse,” but rumors were misleading. He was clearly a two-faced, deeply cunning Ninth Prince. After Ye Jiao used the Ninth Prince’s name to punish her scumbag fiancé, Li Ce, the real Ninth Prince: “Miss, I be 18.3kReads9.5Score2.5kShelves
19. 19 怀 Carrying a Jade in the Night 怀璧夜行 Shi Jin是今Ancient Romance306k WordsCompleted [Mystery + Jianghu feuds + bickering couple] A hilarious new historical mystery romance set in the jianghu, from a hugely popular author! A peerless master who just wants to lie flat and count his money VS a scheming disguise expert who plays the loyal underling. At first, he looked at her like she was a cheeky little monkey: clever, lively, and amusing. Then he realized he was the one being played. The longest road they traveled together was the road to solving cases, and the road paved with ea 3.3kReads9.4Score517Shelves
20. 20 星 White Egrets Rise over the Galaxy [Historical Mystery] 星河白鹭起【古代探案】 Hong Yao红摇Mystery642k WordsCompleted [Film and television rights sold] [Historical romance + Mystery and investigation + One-on-one romance + Sweet romance + Ensemble cast] [Quick-witted, resourceful ancient-era deliverywoman with post-traumatic stress disorder x aloof Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review] Fang Xiaoqi, the ancient delivery service’s ace courier known as Flying Swallow, is delivering a meal when an arrow from an Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review knocks her off a rooftop. By a twist of 6kReads9.3Score826Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese style + suspenseful detective + fast pace + no unnecessary words + good writing

21. 21 大 The Great Qian's Divine Constable: I Have Only Three Days to Live! 大乾神捕，开局只剩三天寿命！ Dad Yumo雨墨爸爸Mystery834k WordsOngoing System + Mystery + Court Intrigue! You transmigrate into the body of a disgraced, short-lived constable with only three days left to live. [Ding! Solve a case to gain more lifespan. Fail, and lifespan will be deducted!] Solve the butcher's wife murder case → uncover a secret collusion within the prefectural office Investigate the missing children case → expose the truth behind the Noble Consort's supposed death Catch the killer who murdered a witness → reveal the superior's last trump card ...Ca 8Reads6.5Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is pretty good and is still being serialized. The protagonist possesses a crime-solving system; the more cases he solves, the stronger he becomes. However, the system doesn't feel out of place; the plot is logical and doesn't feel unintelligent. It's worth reading.

22. 22 大 Judge Dee: Cracking the Case 大唐狄公案·破局 Mo Yu莫逾Mystery196k WordsCompleted What makes this book a great read: the victims’ bizarre deaths, painstaking deduction, and a style that shifts from witty and humorous to serious and meticulous. It’s a boy’s version of The Cases of Judge Dee and a Tang Dynasty version of The Washing Away of Wrongs! Rather than sketching out the plot in broad strokes, the story offers detailed, vivid depictions of the crime scenes. This makes the cases feel authentic while keeping the focus on the investigations! The Golden Mystery, The Secret T 1.6kReads9.3Score101Shelves

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    A pure mystery novel set in ancient China, with no female lead. It features a young version of Di Renjie (a famous Chinese detective). The chapters aren't very long, but they're all essential. There's no romantic pairing; it's a constant brain-teasing experience. The author's writing is excellent, and the logic is solid. A rare gem; definitely worth reading! [Attention][Attention][Attention]

23. 23 宿 Nemesis: Legend of the Famous Detective, Part Two: The East Trembles 宿敌外传二之名捕震关东 Copying Literature, Studying Martial Arts文抄武鉴Eastern Fantasy181k WordsCompleted A collection of short wuxia stories: Pursuit, On the Run, Dominion, Romance, Crimson Demon, and Tragic Green. Each story has different characters and a different plot. 601Reads—Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    Then this book is right up your alley. It's fast-paced, with a strong sense of suspense, and the next book is a sequel with the same style.

24. 24 宿 Archrivals: Side Story Two, The Great Storm of the Famous Constable 宿敌外传二之名捕大风暴 Copying Literature, Studying Martial Arts文抄武鉴Eastern Fantasy213k WordsCompleted A short martial arts novel featuring seven stories: Snow of Beauty, Wicked Flowers, Carefree Days, Right or Left, Proud Bones, Silent Flight, and Dream of Terror. Each story has different protagonists and a different plot. 17Reads—Score—Shelves
25. 25 宿 Rivalry: The Famous Detectives Face Off, Part Two 宿敌外传二之名捕大对决 Copying Literature, Studying Martial Arts文抄武鉴Martial Arts92k WordsOngoing A collection of short wuxia stories featuring eight tales: “The Skeleton Painting,” “Cold River,” “The Meeting at Tan Pavilion,” “Broken Dream Blade,” “A Grand Affair,” “Flowers in Bloom and Fade,” “Beating the Tiger,” and “Catching the Rat.” Each story has a different protagonist and a different plot. 23Reads—Score—Shelves
26. 26 大 Strange Tales of the Great Song: The Headless Corpse 大宋诡事：断头记 Jin Ran瑾然Mystery26k WordsCompleted [Song Dynasty mysteries + suspense + detective work + headless corpses + shocking twists] On a dark, windy night, it’s the perfect time for murder and arson! The newly appointed magistrate of Changqing County dies suddenly in a woman’s chambers in the middle of the night. The next day, his headless body turns up in the countryside! Qiaoniang, the famous courtesan who spent that night with the magistrate, flees in a panic and becomes the prime suspect! Ye Jun is ordered to investigate, only to di 394Reads9.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient crime-solving, high-energy warning throughout, ancient literature is still the best!

27. 27 锦 The Brocade-Clad Goddess Detective 锦衣女神捕 Yue Mo月莫Mystery1.0M WordsCompleted They say the young daughter of a constable in Shanshui County has a pair of ghost eyes, able to see traces at crime scenes that others miss: bloodstains, footprints, and more. She’s practically born to be a constable. She’s bold and meticulous, unafraid of corpses or blood. No matter how gruesome the crime scene, she stays calm and rational, summing up the truth in a single sentence. Wei Qinghan, commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard: “Someone this talented? Excellent. I’ll recruit her and 6.5kReads8.4Score868Shelves

    Reader note

    The female leads are mostly time travelers. Multiple voice actors provide the voices; they solve cases and fall in love.

28. 28 仵 The Coroner’s Daughter 仵作千金 Yue Mo月莫Mystery1.0M WordsCompleted [The animated series of the same name is now available] By day, she is the best forensic examiner in the Embroidered Guard. Though a woman, she is decisive and skilled: she performs autopsies, examines bones, and upholds justice. No one dares question her. By night, disguised as a man and impersonating her missing older brother, she is the capital’s most renowned physician. She treats the sick and saves lives, unwittingly capturing the hearts of countless young women and married ladies, and ear 4.3kReads8.7Score564Shelves
29. 29 首 The Chief Secretary's Adorable Forensic Surgeon Wife 首辅家的法医娇妻 Flowing Water and Clouds水流云Mystery1.0M WordsCompleted She was a forensic doctor in the 21st century. One day, she transmigrated into the body of a farmer's daughter. When her younger brother became entangled in a murder case, she stepped in to save him. The newly appointed county magistrate was impressed by her forensic skills and hired her as the county office's female coroner. For the sake of her family, Xie Ziyun resolutely accepted the new magistrate's offer. She helped him solve one strange case after another, until he rose to become the Grand 11.4kReads9.1Score1.5kShelves
30. 30 大 The Great Coroner: Xilai, Another One’s Dead 大仵作：喜来，又死一个 Dog Sixteen狗十六Mystery2.2M WordsCompleted She was a posthumous child pulled from a pile of corpses. She spent her days among the dead, playing with skulls and amusing herself by catching maggots. To uncover the truth behind her adoptive father's death, she even took it upon herself to dissect a corpse. Others mocked her as a freak and kept their distance, but the ruthless commander of the realm's forces doted on her beyond measure. Dismemberment and cremation, for love or for money. In this bizarre world, joy comes from seeing clearly f 5.7kReads8.9Score877Shelves
31. 31 法 The Mad Forensic Princess and the Master Coroner 法医狂妃大仵作 Fat Fifteen胖十五Mystery1.0M WordsCompleted In the capital of Daling, there is a woman who can hear the dead speak and understand the words of ghosts. If someone's cat or dog goes missing, they go to her. If someone has died a gruesome death, they can go to her too. Rumor has it she can do more than examine corpses: she can communicate with spirits and even track anyone across a thousand miles. Qin Zhi scoffed. "That's all ghost talk! I've killed countless people, and I don't believe in ghosts!" Another rumor says that the young lady 3.7kReads9.0Score396Shelves
32. 32 刑 The Ministry of Justice Promotion Diaries 刑部升职记 Tangerine Peel and Red Dates陈皮红枣Mystery670k WordsCompleted The story of a hopeless intern lawyer who plays the fool to fool the wise, gradually becoming a major figure in the Ministry of Justice. A collection of short ancient-era mysteries, with a quiet, everyday romance. No golden finger, no wish fulfillment, just mysteries and a little romantic interaction. 6.9kReads9.3Score980Shelves
33. 33 诡 The Eerie Case Coroner 诡案女仵作 Qie Qie Isn't Sleepy茄茄不困Mystery1.1M WordsCompleted A lazy salted-fish coroner who just wants to lie flat VS a workaholic commander who knows nothing about romance. They crack bizarre cases and fall in love over time. As religious sects rise to prominence, people commit murder in the name of gods and ghosts, and strange cases erupt throughout the Great Qing Dynasty. After dying from overwork, forensic pathologist Jiang Ning joins the Yuning Guard, an organization of imperial investigators, hoping to lie flat and coast along as a low-ranking nobod 1.7kReads9.2Score226Shelves
34. 34 惊 The Astonishing Female Coroner 惊华女仵作 Cheese Cocoa芝士可可Mystery1.0M WordsCompleted [One-on-one, mutual devotion, ultra-sweet romance] A modern forensic doctor lands at an ancient crime scene and is branded a murderer by the Dali Court! To clear her name, sociable go-getter Wen Yu clings to Gu Yan, the powerful and influential minister of the Dali Court, while examining corpses and solving cases, all to secure herself a steady living... Who could have guessed her powerful patron would be so ruthless and capricious? His signature talent is making a small problem into a big one, 4.6kReads9.2Score689Shelves
35. 35 女 The Female Physician Xin Yi: A Case Investigation 女医辛夷【探案】 Shopkeeper Qian钱大掌柜Mystery600k WordsCompleted Completed. A cool-hearted female physician and a male lead from the Court of Judicial Review join forces to track down mysterious cases. Relief silver is stolen, 130 bandits are found dead, corpses litter a small town, blood grapes bewitch the minds of men, a daughter who vanished ten years ago, and a tree that begins singing folk songs at midnight... In the eerie capital, strange cases abound, but no crime can escape the law. 6.3kReads9.3Score1kShelves
36. 36 王 After the Prince Was Poisoned, He Clung to Me, a Forensic Doctor 王爷中毒后，赖上我这小法医 He Sheng鹤笙Ancient Romance2.2M WordsCompleted [Published novel + forensic pathologist + revenge + two strong, devoted leads + satisfying revenge + powerful characters + redemption] She is Qu Zhen, the top female forensic pathologist at the National Security Bureau in the 21st century. Her jade-like hands have dissected the dead and saved the living. With a simple flip of her hand, she can turn the clouds and bring on the rain. But after a mission goes wrong, her soul transmigrates to another world. When she opens her eyes again, she is the 6.8kReads9.1Score957Shelves
37. 37 仙 The Immortal's Appearance 仙人状 Shi Jin是今Martial Arts313k WordsCompleted [Historical romance + mystery solving + male lead with a secret identity + lovers who fight as fiercely as they love] A dazzling, outspoken heroine and a seemingly gentle but secretly ruthless physician, locked in a battle of equals as they fall in love! A celebrated romance author's popular historical mystery! A relationship between equals, full of tension; heart-stopping court intrigue; and the shocking truth behind bizarre murders! A celestial being appears in a dream to help solve a case and 16.2kReads9.6Score2.7kShelves
38. 38 地 The Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends Transformations 地煞七十二变 Wine Priest祭酒Mystery1.5M WordsOngoing The seventy-two transformations of the Earthly Fiends each grant a supernatural ability. A mysterious book with a yellow cover sent Li Chang'an back to the ancient world. Every demon he killed earned him a new ability. Painted-skin ghosts, zombie kings, spider demons... one after another fell beneath his sword. Communing with the netherworld, swordsmanship, demon-slaying... one supernatural ability after another emerged from the book. After he wiped out a hundred ghosts and looked around with hi 37.7kReads9.3Score4.5kShelves
39. 39 洛 Three Days in Luoyang 洛阳三日簿 Great Sage Duo Duo大圣铎铎Historical511k WordsCompleted If you open the account book titled The Luoyang Three-Day Ledger, every line of numbers represents a life. Three days before the Lantern Festival in the first year of the Zhengsheng era, Li Suan, a low-ranking clerk in the Ministry of Revenue, discovers a ledger that could turn the entire court of the Wu Zhou dynasty into a river of blood. The charcoal and ice gratuities are bribes; the sunken grain ships are murder. And the bloody fingerprints of twenty-seven ministers on the final page point t 630Reads—Score143Shelves

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    [A Must-Read for Bookworms] I stayed up all night to finish it! Historical suspense + Tang Dynasty detective stories + Wu Zhou political intrigue + a nobody's rise to power! This "ancient auditor" uses an abacus to overturn Wu Zetian's court in 72 hours! It's so addictive!!! "The Three-Day Book of Luoyang"—a masterpiece where a lowly ninth-rank official's abacus clicks and the Wu Zhou Dynasty hangs by a thread! 📖 The story begins with a dusty abacus: Li Suan, a lowly clerk in the Ministry of Revenue, an ordinary person who only knows how to use an abacus, accidentally uncovers a "King of Hell's Account." On the surface, it's a list of gifts for charcoal and ice, but underneath lies a murder of a sunken canal ship, the bloody fingerprints of twenty-seven ministers, and a coup ignited at the Lantern Festival. Wu Zetian awaits the truth, Princess Taiping is setting up her chessboard, and Lai Junchen's pursuit is already at the door. And he only has 72 hours. With an abacus, he uses the gaps in the numbers to find the hand that overthrew the dynasty. 🔥 Why did this book keep me up all night? ❶ A groundbreaking "ledger-based crime-solving" genre! No time travel, no cheat codes—the protagonist solves the case with his professional auditing skills! Hidden within the clatter of abacus beads lies a deadly intent more deadly than swords. Smelling blood from the dry numbers—this intellectual battle is incredibly satisfying! ❷ A 72-hour countdown keeps the pace suffocating! The closer the Lantern Festival gets, the deeper the conspiracy. The power struggle between Wu Zetian, Princess Taiping, and Lai Junchen is a life-or-death gamble. Memorable scenes abound, each chapter feels like a suspenseful short drama! ❸ A powerful resonance with ordinary people! Li Suan is powerless and vulnerable, possessing only the instinct for survival and professional dedication. His fear, struggle, and desperate counterattack resonate with every ordinary person facing hardship in reality. This narrative of "ordinary people influencing history" is truly moving! 📚 If you're tired of mindless time-travel stories and formulaic palace intrigue and cultivation tales, check out *Three Days in Luoyang*! It boasts solid historical research (the first year of the Zheng Sheng era and the stories of Tan Jing and Bing Jing are both documented), a suspenseful and mind-bending plot, and a fast-paced, exhilarating narrative! 👉 Already added to my bookshelf, no more talk, go for it! [Heart]

40. 40 大 The Dali Temple Deputy Minister’s Female Coroner: Case Files 大理寺少卿家的女仵作【探案】 Warblers Chirping仓庚喈喈Mystery331k WordsCompleted [The rating is low because it just opened!] [Lazy, lie-flat coroner x aloof workaholic Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review] Modern forensic pathologist Du Yexin was in a car accident and unexpectedly transmigrated into the body of a farmer’s daughter in Sui’an County, where she became entangled in a murder case. To clear her name, Du Yexin had no choice but to use her modern forensic knowledge to find the real culprit. - Xu Mian, son of the Minister of Justice, solved the theft from t 1.2kReads6.6Score175Shelves

    Reader note

    There's no system involved. The female protagonist is a forensic doctor who transmigrates to ancient times. Each case is short, and the pacing is very tight. The minor characters are particularly well-written and vividly portrayed.

41. 41 当 When a Laid-Back Princess Meets a Top-Tier Client 当咸鱼郡主遇上顶级甲方 A Trivial Reason渺小的理由Mystery499k WordsCompleted [The rating has just been released and will keep rising] [Historical mystery + case-of-the-week investigations + ensemble character growth + lighthearted daily life] Shen Zhiyi, Princess of Jing'an, has one goal in life: save enough for retirement, then lie flat in Jiangnan. Until Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Ji Yan drafted her into service. “Help solve cases, or become a suspect. Pick one.” Shen Zhiyi: …I choose a third option! Get paid to slack off! She promptly rounded up: A care 5.6kReads7.5Score830Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese detective novels

42. 42 开 I Cross-Dressed as a Woman from the Start, and I Slay Evil Through Karma 开局男扮女装，我靠因果斩邪 A Bunch of Sunny Green Grapes一串阳光青提Eastern Fantasy269k WordsOngoing [Xuanhuan wild imagination] + [mystery and deduction] + [folk supernatural] + [lighthearted comedy] + [proficiency] + [Transmigration] Good news: I’ve transmigrated and become a silver-badge constable of the Six Fan Gate. I even have a System. Bad news: When I opened my eyes, I was wearing a wedding dress and being sent into a nest of sinister spirits as their bride. The System is called [Karmic Law], and its effects are extremely abstract. Every careless thing I say and every thing I do pushes 6Reads—Score184Shelves

    Reader note

    This book starts off a bit slow, but the pace picks up really fast from Chapter 5 onwards.

43. 43 坑 Luring Ghosts and Catching Criminals: A Low-Ranking County Magistrate 坑鬼捉凶，一品小县令 Pipi Loves Tangerines爱吃橘子的皮皮Mystery1.2M WordsCompleted When Chu Ling opened her eyes, she had become the novel's number-one female side character, a troublemaker who ultimately got herself killed when the heroine shot an arrow through her heart. Knowing how the plot would unfold, Chu Ling spat in disdain, broke free of the story's control, and threw herself into building a career. But being a county magistrate is no easy job. One day, a ghostly maid comes to air her grievances; the next, a ghostly tutor shows up to reprimand her. Even stepping outsi 5.8kReads9.5Score956Shelves

    Reader note

    A fast-paced comedy featuring a clever, unforced pairing of characters and a hilarious ensemble cast [Sparrow's Masterpiece].

44. 44 察 Investigative Guard: Framed as a Death Row Inmate, I Solve Cases to Escape a Deadly Trap 察事卫：穿成死囚我靠断案逆死局 Gu Jinming古金明Mystery129k WordsCompleted [Transmigrate into a book] [Ancient-style Inspectorate] [Hardcore Mysterious Cases] [Comeback from the Brink] Reincarnated as a condemned prisoner, you're due to be executed along with your entire family in three days. Everyone says demons stole the silver, but Wang Ming sees through it at a glance: it was all done by human hands. One case file tears apart the false evidence, and three sentences leave the presiding judge speechless. Seven days to solve the case and live. Fail, and die. A demon c 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese detective stories, both ongoing and completed! Welcome to read!

45. 45 新 The New Cases of Judge Bao 新包公案 Gu Jinming古金明Mystery250k WordsCompleted Five people shared a piece of zha cake, yet only the one seated at the head of the table died. Bao Zheng followed the clues from one plate of cold cake to a debt over meteoric iron, twenty years of restraint, and an iron seal in a deep well. There was more than one killer, and more than one path to justice. Beneath Bianjing’s glittering prosperity, everyone owed a debt they could never repay. 77Reads—Score101Shelves
46. 46 包 The Fog of Justice Bao 包青天迷雾 Gu Jinming古金明Mystery424k WordsCompleted Following Bao Qingtian's career as an official, thirty strange cases conceal one mystery. From a minor case involving ox tongues to threats against the foundations of the state, every act of corruption he cuts down points to a shocking conspiracy looming over the Song Empire. 1kReads6.9Score—Shelves
47. 47 新 The New Cases of Judge Bao 新包青天案 Gu Jinming古金明Historical409k WordsCompleted Wrongful cases pile up in Bianliang, and Bao Zheng takes charge of the Kaifeng Prefecture alongside Zhan Zhao, Ding Yuehua, and Gongsun Ce. They stand up to the powerful, solve miscarriages of justice, and punish the wicked, digging deep into an international conspiracy involving Youyun. They wield the law as their blade: a betrothal gift is no license to sell a woman, and justice will never bow to the powerful! 7kReads—Score222Shelves
48. 48 包 The Bao Qingtian Mystery 包青天迷局 Gu Jinming古金明Historical329k WordsCompleted The Bao Qingtian Mystery: A grain ship sinks, taking thirty lives with it. Poison hidden in the bloodstained rice exposes a shocking conspiracy. Bao Zheng travels incognito to Yangzhou and discovers that the prime minister is colluding with the Liao, armor from a previous dynasty has resurfaced, and an imperial tomb’s edict has come to light. The Jianghu’s Hidden Dragon Clan, Liao nobility, and palace factions are all swept into the maelstrom. With ten days left, Bao Zheng must survive amid star 850Reads6.8Score—Shelves
49. 49 包 Justice Bao: The First Chapter of Chivalry and Righteousness 包青天之侠肝义胆第一部 Gu Jinming古金明Martial Arts457k WordsCompleted During the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song, dark forces stirred beneath the surface of Bianjing. Bao Zheng, prefect of Kaifeng, held court at the center of the action, leading a core team made up of his strategist Gongsun Ce; Zhan Zhao, the “Imperial Cat,” and his wife Ding Yuehua, the “Imperial Swallow” and master of Listening Wind Tower; and Bai Yutang, the “Jade-Furred Rat,” an extraordinary talent from the martial world. 988Reads—Score103Shelves
50. 50 冷 The Cold Palace Empress Goes on a Case-Solving Rampage 冷宫皇后靠破案杀疯了 Chubby Zeze胖泽泽Mystery1.0M WordsCompleted Shen Yihan, a police captain, falls off a cliff while pursuing a killer. When she opens her eyes again, she has become the most miserable empress in history: the widow of Emperor Jianwen, Zhu Yunwen. The tyrant Zhu Di has usurped the throne, three thousand palace maids have been brutally executed, and danger lurks everywhere in the Cold Palace. She slams a palm onto the imperial desk. “Solving cases is my specialty. Killing people isn’t yours!” Zhu Di flies into a rage. “Seize her!” Who could ha 18Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A modern-day detective transmigrates to the Ming Dynasty to become the Empress of Emperor Jianwen (Zhu Yunwen). After being banished to the cold palace, she overthrows the Yongle Emperor by solving cases. [Force, Intelligence, and Political Intrigue] All in one!

Other lists with Di Renjie: I'm a Detective in the Wu Zhou Dynasty