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Silent Reading #1
Silent Reading (I)
Childhood, upbringing, family background, social relations, traumatic experiences…
We keep reviewing and seeking out the motives of criminals, exploring the subtlest emotions driving them. It’s not to put ourselves in their shoes and sympathize, or even forgive them; it’s not to find some reasons to exculpate their crimes; it’s not to kneel down before the so-called “complexity of human nature”; nor to introspect social conflicts, much less to alienate ourselves into monsters.
We just want to have a fair trial – for ourselves and for those who still have hope for the world.
We keep reviewing and seeking out the motives of criminals, exploring the subtlest emotions driving them. It’s not to put ourselves in their shoes and sympathize, or even forgive them; it’s not to find some reasons to exculpate their crimes; it’s not to kneel down before the so-called “complexity of human nature”; nor to introspect social conflicts, much less to alienate ourselves into monsters.
We just want to have a fair trial – for ourselves and for those who still have hope for the world.
606 pages, ebook
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 31, 2025
5⭐
It's been years since I've been a fan of crime novels but for priest I'm prepared to read any genre. I thought I'll be able to wait until Dec for official translation but starting Justice in the Dark made me too impatient. I need to consume all versions of this masterpiece!
I'll probably write longer and more detailed review for SevenSeas edition, so here's just some fangirling about zhoudu 🫶
Priest's couples make me totally insane with their chemistry and teasing. Zhoudu are not even together yet but I'm already over the moon because of them 🥰 (I'm also "blaming" drama here because the actors definitely understood the assigment, and delivered immaculate performance 😍)
One of the things I love about priest's writing is her humor. I always laugh out loud reading her books and I'm having such a good time with Mo Du (yeah, I know it's a crime book and very tragic as well but...)
Anyway, it took me a tiny bit of time to start liking Luo Wenzhou aka Captain China but this man is just so hilarious and I love how he always takes care for his little family (SID members) 😄
Fei Du is of course my special beautiful princess, who never did anything wrong in his life. He deserves all good things, and he can be as sassy and flirty as he wants to be ❤️
Honestly, they are everything to me. I can't wait to read more about their bickering and I'm excited for them to realize their feelings for each other.
Gif by decrescendo
Gif by decrescendo
It's been years since I've been a fan of crime novels but for priest I'm prepared to read any genre. I thought I'll be able to wait until Dec for official translation but starting Justice in the Dark made me too impatient. I need to consume all versions of this masterpiece!
I'll probably write longer and more detailed review for SevenSeas edition, so here's just some fangirling about zhoudu 🫶
Priest's couples make me totally insane with their chemistry and teasing. Zhoudu are not even together yet but I'm already over the moon because of them 🥰 (I'm also "blaming" drama here because the actors definitely understood the assigment, and delivered immaculate performance 😍)
One of the things I love about priest's writing is her humor. I always laugh out loud reading her books and I'm having such a good time with Mo Du (yeah, I know it's a crime book and very tragic as well but...)
Anyway, it took me a tiny bit of time to start liking Luo Wenzhou aka Captain China but this man is just so hilarious and I love how he always takes care for his little family (SID members) 😄
“And what brilliant ideas do you have, Deputy-Captain Tao?”
“Nothing.” Tao Ran hesitated for a long time. “It’s not about this… I just…suddenly had an outrageous idea.”
“Report it to the throne. It won’t kill Our Imperial Presence.”
Fei Du is of course my special beautiful princess, who never did anything wrong in his life. He deserves all good things, and he can be as sassy and flirty as he wants to be ❤️
Looking on from outside, Fei Du narrowed his eyes and assessed, “Your handcuffs are very aesthetically pleasing. Could I get a set to take back as a souvenir?”
Tao Ran didn’t come around at once. “What do you want handcuffs for?”
Fei Du turned to look at him, then, seeming to realize he’d been indiscreet, only meaningfully curved his peach blossom eyes.
Honestly, they are everything to me. I can't wait to read more about their bickering and I'm excited for them to realize their feelings for each other.
Luo Wenzhou rudely shoved at his head. “Hey, I’m talking to you!”
Fei Du: “…”
President Fei had reached his present age without anyone having dared to touch his precious head—and touching it was one thing; there was also the “slapping” method of touching.
For a time he seemed not quite to know how he should react. He turned his head to stare at this extremely audacious human, his expression a little scary.
Gif by decrescendo
Luo Wenzhou looked at him and suddenly asked, “Are you all right?”
Fei Du expressionlessly asked in turn, “What could be wrong with me?”
Luo Wenzhou thought about it, then bluntly pointed out, “Then how come you’re suddenly being so kindly and gentle to me?”
For a moment Fei Du was speechless. “I’m sorry, Captain Luo. I didn’t know you liked it rough.”
Gif by decrescendo
August 10, 2025
Since this is my second read, and I love the series as a whole, it’s going to be difficult to break down ratings volume by volume. BUT this first part is a high 4 star for me. Sets up our main cast so well, really establishes their personalties quickly—our best cop Luo Wenzhou, the haughty, yet diligent criminal detective; and my absolute favorite rich playboy cinnamon roll Fei Du, who, while entirely innocent and good deep down, is most definitely scheming your demise behind seductive peach blossom eyes.
Priest has a way with writing a great cast of side characters, particularly in teams like the criminal investigation team of the city bureau in this book. Tao Ran and Lang Qiao are excellent supporting characters with so much depth written into them in just this first arc. (With the amount of dev we’re given for them over the course of the series, they don’t feel like mere supporting characters—they feel like part of this little family that you’d also risk your life to protect.)
The He Zhongyi murder case kicks everything off, and what seems a simple murder at first quickly gets complicated as another team of dirty cops becomes implicated in the investigation. The case introduces a lot of new faces that end up being involved in some way, and thankfully I’m able to follow the case much easier the second time around (third, if you count watching the c-drama as well), but I remember having a hard time keeping up with all the details the first read.
Bigger plot points are introduced, but well-balanced and leaving just enough intrigue for us to note them for later while still keeping tabs on the ongoing murder investigation. A lot of Fei Du’s past is introduced, but the complexities of his story unravel slowly over the course of the book. Priest gives us just enough about his mother’s suspicious death and Fei Du’s inability to let go of her case for us to anticipate what details we’ll uncover next.
Priest’s writing is so straight forward—I’d even call it blunt at times. I find it refreshing and it moves the pace of the novel along quite well. At times, the use of similes or cultural references takes away from the story, like the writing is trying too hard to make a poetic statement about something relatively mundane or that actually convolutes the meaning. I’ve also realized the narrator is an interesting voice in this book. Occasionally, the narrator’s bias is so blatant that it made me stop and wonder, “just who is the narrator meant to be?” The comments made about He Zhongyi’s mother, who’s from a rural village and relatively uneducated and illiterate compared to the city investigators, were sometimes rather harsh, even to the point of alluding that she was stupid or incompetent to the ways of the world outside her village. (This whole narrator deep dive doesn’t amount to anything story-wise, it’s just me indulging my curiosity.)
What I love about Priest’s writing in this book is that action scenes are exhilarating and the humor is witty and sharp. Fei Du and Luo Wenzhou’s quips at each other are….a bit childish, certainly, but also oh so laden with intelligent snark and hints of their mutually denied yet palpable attraction to each other. But that’s yet another plot point for later development. 😂
Bonus points for Luo Yiguo, the beloved master “pot”. 😸
Priest has a way with writing a great cast of side characters, particularly in teams like the criminal investigation team of the city bureau in this book. Tao Ran and Lang Qiao are excellent supporting characters with so much depth written into them in just this first arc. (With the amount of dev we’re given for them over the course of the series, they don’t feel like mere supporting characters—they feel like part of this little family that you’d also risk your life to protect.)
The He Zhongyi murder case kicks everything off, and what seems a simple murder at first quickly gets complicated as another team of dirty cops becomes implicated in the investigation. The case introduces a lot of new faces that end up being involved in some way, and thankfully I’m able to follow the case much easier the second time around (third, if you count watching the c-drama as well), but I remember having a hard time keeping up with all the details the first read.
Bigger plot points are introduced, but well-balanced and leaving just enough intrigue for us to note them for later while still keeping tabs on the ongoing murder investigation. A lot of Fei Du’s past is introduced, but the complexities of his story unravel slowly over the course of the book. Priest gives us just enough about his mother’s suspicious death and Fei Du’s inability to let go of her case for us to anticipate what details we’ll uncover next.
Priest’s writing is so straight forward—I’d even call it blunt at times. I find it refreshing and it moves the pace of the novel along quite well. At times, the use of similes or cultural references takes away from the story, like the writing is trying too hard to make a poetic statement about something relatively mundane or that actually convolutes the meaning. I’ve also realized the narrator is an interesting voice in this book. Occasionally, the narrator’s bias is so blatant that it made me stop and wonder, “just who is the narrator meant to be?” The comments made about He Zhongyi’s mother, who’s from a rural village and relatively uneducated and illiterate compared to the city investigators, were sometimes rather harsh, even to the point of alluding that she was stupid or incompetent to the ways of the world outside her village. (This whole narrator deep dive doesn’t amount to anything story-wise, it’s just me indulging my curiosity.)
What I love about Priest’s writing in this book is that action scenes are exhilarating and the humor is witty and sharp. Fei Du and Luo Wenzhou’s quips at each other are….a bit childish, certainly, but also oh so laden with intelligent snark and hints of their mutually denied yet palpable attraction to each other. But that’s yet another plot point for later development. 😂
Bonus points for Luo Yiguo, the beloved master “pot”. 😸
June 24, 2025
i love fei du way sooner than I had anticipated, I thought it'd take me longer to warm up to him. also made me laugh multiple times despite the heavy aspects.
April 19, 2025
"It wasn’t that an ingratiating stranger was frightening; what was frightening was poverty and indignity".
"Silent Reading" is probably one of my favorite books in life, it has everything I could ask for: mystery, crime investigation, psychology applied to forensics, a lovable group of friends, a captivating romance, intriguing characters, conspiracies, plotting and so much more.
"When the eyes sitting under someone’s forehead are looking directly ahead or looking up, they often think that what they see are humans.
Looking down, however, they often think that what they see are animals, beasts of burden.
Those without power or influence, drifting in the current of events and struggling for survival, the old, the weak, the sick, the crippled, for the most part belong to this category".
Something I especially like about the cases in "Silent Reading" is that all of them portray, one way or another, real and contemporary social problems, always enticing empathy and reflection.
This first case not only touches on corruption of authority groups, but also migration, class struggle, exploration of vulnerable people, how those same people are marginalized in society, and so much more. It really made me sad for the victim (I guess I could see a bit of myself in him as an immigrant), such a sweet soul, suffered because of someone else's ego. Not to mention all the other people that died because of pure greed.
"He suddenly thought that so-called “dignity” was only a thin piece of wrapping paper, and when all one’s schemes had been exhausted, in the end the wrapping would come off with one tug, exposing the sorry body inside".
Romance isn't really the main focus of the story, this first book especially serves more than anything as an introduction to the characters and their dynamics and differences and how they start working on those.
"Friends setting up households or moving away, the people close to you gradually getting older, people parting never to meet again, all these things aren’t mishaps, but part of the natural order, like clouds and clear skies, rain and snow, objective and eternal. There’s no hidden meaning in them, and excessively wallowing over them is like excessively lamenting the passing of the seasons; there’s no sense in it. The world is changing, people are changing, and you yourself are changing, too. Refusing alterations and separations is illogical".
I need to admit that I really don't have the habit of rereading books, so rereading such a long one definitely means something to me, especially because I already want to reread it again 😅.
Every time I see anything about this novel, even if it's just a mention of a fanart I feel the urge of coming back to it, hence why I really couldn't hold back with the comeback of the live action.
I really need to admit though there were so many things that have been completely wiped out of my head, there were some parts where I felt I was reading the book for the first time, I was flabbergasted at how much I had forgotten, but was also really happy for being able of reading it again.
PS: Luo Wenzhou has also entered my list of favorite characters, he's even my role model at this point. 🤭
"Silent Reading" is probably one of my favorite books in life, it has everything I could ask for: mystery, crime investigation, psychology applied to forensics, a lovable group of friends, a captivating romance, intriguing characters, conspiracies, plotting and so much more.
"When the eyes sitting under someone’s forehead are looking directly ahead or looking up, they often think that what they see are humans.
Looking down, however, they often think that what they see are animals, beasts of burden.
Those without power or influence, drifting in the current of events and struggling for survival, the old, the weak, the sick, the crippled, for the most part belong to this category".
Something I especially like about the cases in "Silent Reading" is that all of them portray, one way or another, real and contemporary social problems, always enticing empathy and reflection.
This first case not only touches on corruption of authority groups, but also migration, class struggle, exploration of vulnerable people, how those same people are marginalized in society, and so much more. It really made me sad for the victim (I guess I could see a bit of myself in him as an immigrant), such a sweet soul, suffered because of someone else's ego. Not to mention all the other people that died because of pure greed.
"He suddenly thought that so-called “dignity” was only a thin piece of wrapping paper, and when all one’s schemes had been exhausted, in the end the wrapping would come off with one tug, exposing the sorry body inside".
Romance isn't really the main focus of the story, this first book especially serves more than anything as an introduction to the characters and their dynamics and differences and how they start working on those.
"Friends setting up households or moving away, the people close to you gradually getting older, people parting never to meet again, all these things aren’t mishaps, but part of the natural order, like clouds and clear skies, rain and snow, objective and eternal. There’s no hidden meaning in them, and excessively wallowing over them is like excessively lamenting the passing of the seasons; there’s no sense in it. The world is changing, people are changing, and you yourself are changing, too. Refusing alterations and separations is illogical".
I need to admit that I really don't have the habit of rereading books, so rereading such a long one definitely means something to me, especially because I already want to reread it again 😅.
Every time I see anything about this novel, even if it's just a mention of a fanart I feel the urge of coming back to it, hence why I really couldn't hold back with the comeback of the live action.
I really need to admit though there were so many things that have been completely wiped out of my head, there were some parts where I felt I was reading the book for the first time, I was flabbergasted at how much I had forgotten, but was also really happy for being able of reading it again.
PS: Luo Wenzhou has also entered my list of favorite characters, he's even my role model at this point. 🤭
August 14, 2025
What do you do when you are completely and utterly in love with a book?
That's the feeling I was left with when finishing the last page of MoDu's volume 1.
It's no surprise that Priest is a wonderful storyteller, but I think that in this series the characters are really my favorite part - I could easily read pages of them just moving through life in their usual sarcastic-but-loving way.
ALSO, although Fei Du is written as the one responsible for figuring out the suspects ways of thinking, the other characters are also insightful and smart. Priest doesn't separate the characters in the usual stereotypes and it gives my LIFE.
Even if Tao Ran is written as the shared romantic interest, the truth is this line is not used much. Even though both Wenzhou and Fei Du love him, their love is not selfish or forceful... There is literally a very nice "letting go" scene and everyone's closeness is still pretty much the same.
I'm one of those people who do not care much for love triangles, so this is an important plot point for me kkkkkk
As for the MCs, ZhouDu's relationship is so so fun!! Their bickering is a good balance to the heavier plot that deals with criminal cases, and the fact Fei Du takes every single opportunity to call WenZhou old is just gold!!!
Truthfully, I don't know why I took so long to start this series, it's probably one of my favorite Danmei's currently!!
That's the feeling I was left with when finishing the last page of MoDu's volume 1.
It's no surprise that Priest is a wonderful storyteller, but I think that in this series the characters are really my favorite part - I could easily read pages of them just moving through life in their usual sarcastic-but-loving way.
ALSO, although Fei Du is written as the one responsible for figuring out the suspects ways of thinking, the other characters are also insightful and smart. Priest doesn't separate the characters in the usual stereotypes and it gives my LIFE.
Even if Tao Ran is written as the shared romantic interest, the truth is this line is not used much. Even though both Wenzhou and Fei Du love him, their love is not selfish or forceful... There is literally a very nice "letting go" scene and everyone's closeness is still pretty much the same.
I'm one of those people who do not care much for love triangles, so this is an important plot point for me kkkkkk
As for the MCs, ZhouDu's relationship is so so fun!! Their bickering is a good balance to the heavier plot that deals with criminal cases, and the fact Fei Du takes every single opportunity to call WenZhou old is just gold!!!
Truthfully, I don't know why I took so long to start this series, it's probably one of my favorite Danmei's currently!!
March 2, 2025
”He suddenly thought that so-called “dignity” was only a thin piece of wrapping paper, and when all one’s schemes had been exhausted, in the end the wrapping would come off with one tug, exposing the sorry body inside.”
It wasn’t a surprise when news came that the series were cancelled due to censorship. It was however a pleasant surprise when updates revealed all episodes would be released this year in March. That was the only motivation I needed to finally start reading the books after they have been collecting dust on my virtual bookshelf.
This first book was good, it included a lot of what was aired in the first eight episodes, making it perhaps less surprising since I knew what was coming. I like the cases, the characters and the overall vibe. It’s nothing earth-shatteringly impressive, but I know Priest is a killer with building relationships, so I’m ready for the slow burn that is to come.
It wasn’t a surprise when news came that the series were cancelled due to censorship. It was however a pleasant surprise when updates revealed all episodes would be released this year in March. That was the only motivation I needed to finally start reading the books after they have been collecting dust on my virtual bookshelf.
This first book was good, it included a lot of what was aired in the first eight episodes, making it perhaps less surprising since I knew what was coming. I like the cases, the characters and the overall vibe. It’s nothing earth-shatteringly impressive, but I know Priest is a killer with building relationships, so I’m ready for the slow burn that is to come.
August 24, 2025
When I start few chapters before watching the LA it’s kinda hard to make sense who is who. I restart reading from the beginning after watching a few episodes of LA and it much easier to digest the novel. Priest beautifully weaving her words and E.Danglars beautifully translate it to its full glory.
I love Captain Luo and President Pei indirect banters. The description on their changes and interactions keeps me giggling the entire time reading this. It’s also makes so much sense on what actually happened during the first case as I couldn’t really capture how the polices issue became unearthed by this case (blame the bad subs that I watched for the first 8 episodes, really didn’t bring justice to the drama haha).
Here again I’m begging everyone to read the books and watch the series, but are awesome (just make sure you get good translation on both 🤣)
I love Captain Luo and President Pei indirect banters. The description on their changes and interactions keeps me giggling the entire time reading this. It’s also makes so much sense on what actually happened during the first case as I couldn’t really capture how the polices issue became unearthed by this case (blame the bad subs that I watched for the first 8 episodes, really didn’t bring justice to the drama haha).
Here again I’m begging everyone to read the books and watch the series, but are awesome (just make sure you get good translation on both 🤣)
April 14, 2025
i love this book so much; the translation, the plot, the characters, the wit - all so great. i love a good crime/detective novel. add in references to classic literature and characters with complex pasts and it really is a winning formula for me.
the use of Julien for this arc is interesting. named after Julien Sorel, and it is very fitting for zhao haochang - a man from poor origins trying to make his place in sophisticated Society, and the lengths he'll go to achieve that.
i especially love the relationship development between fei du and luo wenzhou. this is their starting point... they've barely begun even flirting but the potential and the hints are so delicious.
the use of Julien for this arc is interesting. named after Julien Sorel, and it is very fitting for zhao haochang - a man from poor origins trying to make his place in sophisticated Society, and the lengths he'll go to achieve that.
i especially love the relationship development between fei du and luo wenzhou. this is their starting point... they've barely begun even flirting but the potential and the hints are so delicious.
November 5, 2025
THIS WAS SO GOOD. For some reason, I thought Tao Ran and Fei Du were the main characters, rather than Luo Wenzhou? So halfway through the book, I was wondering why Luo and Fei seem to have a better connection, then I realised…😂
Anyway, the plot was really good, well fleshed out. So are the characters! Looking forward to picking up the next one soon! Will also be buying and rereading this when Seven Seas publish it next year :)
Anyway, the plot was really good, well fleshed out. So are the characters! Looking forward to picking up the next one soon! Will also be buying and rereading this when Seven Seas publish it next year :)
January 8, 2026
Una novela policial espectacular, difícil de encontrar historias asi. Te mantiene en suspenso, te hace sospechar y dudar de varios personajes pero lentamente te va guiando a un desenlace muy bien logrado. Por otro lado, el romance no se pierde por darle foco a la historia sino que van de la mano y avanzan acorde. De las mejores historias policiales que lei en mucho tiempo.
March 4, 2025
This is my third re read!
A masterpiece! Specially is you like mystery/detective novels!
A masterpiece! Specially is you like mystery/detective novels!
May 31, 2025
Completed: May 1, 2025
June 15, 2025
4.5 stars. i adore fei du so bad 🫶🫶
November 1, 2025
First time reading a crime/mystery. It's not my thing, that I now know.
Loving the Fei Du - Luo Wenzhou characters and relationship tho, so I'm debating if continuing it just for them...
Loving the Fei Du - Luo Wenzhou characters and relationship tho, so I'm debating if continuing it just for them...
December 1, 2025
sets up the characters nicely and quickly. I don't usually read crime so this is a nice change of pace to finish the year off strong
January 24, 2026
The way I was SAT from start to finish of this book. I love a well thought out mystery and this really was so well done. I can’t wait to read book 2 with more of these same characters!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews