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Silent Reading: Mo Du (Novel) #1

Silent Reading: Mo Du (Novel) Vol. 1

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The hit danmei thriller from the author behind Guardian: Zhen Hun and Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang–both available from Seven Seas!

A young man’s body is found outside a glitzy high-rise on the West Side of Yancheng—dressed for celebration, strangled, and left with a sheet of paper covering his face. One word is scrawled across it: money.

To Sergeant Luo Wenzhou, head of the Criminal Investigation Team at the Yancheng Municipal Public Safety Bureau, it’s just another case in a city rife with power plays and buried secrets. But as he digs deeper with his team, what begins as a straightforward homicide unravels into something far murkier—reaching into the city’s darkest corners of wealth, privilege, and police corruption.

And then there’s Fei Du: the aloof, razor-sharp CEO of the Fei Corporation, who seems to know far too much about the murder—and about Luo Wenzhou himself. Once a troubled youth with ties to Luo’s past, Fei Du now walks a fine line between brilliant ally and inscrutable suspect. His insights are disturbingly precise. His motives? Frustratingly opaque.

As the investigation twists through layers of trauma and moral ambiguity, Luo Wenzhou finds himself reluctantly drawn toward the very man who unsettles him most. But in a city where justice is easily bought and truth wears many masks, can either man afford to trust the other?

364 pages, Paperback

Published December 23, 2025

114 people are currently reading
1113 people want to read

About the author

Priest

275 books1,527 followers
Associated Names:
* Priest
* พีต้า (Thai Profile)

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5 stars
199 (45%)
4 stars
171 (39%)
3 stars
55 (12%)
2 stars
6 (1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
Profile Image for Nel.
322 reviews53 followers
Did not finish
March 24, 2026
dnf at 65%
sorry, compadres, whatever u see here, i dont see it.
as a crime novel this is a total flop for me.
me and priest, we go our own ways from now on.



Profile Image for hope.
517 reviews355 followers
Want to read
November 25, 2025
wow i just saw this cover now, it's so gorgeous (i never pre-ordered a book so quick) 😍 i'm so glad we're getting a official translation for this!!!
Profile Image for Queens Love Books.
463 reviews8 followers
February 13, 2026
"If someone gives you that look, it means they're counting on you. No matter what, never, ever betray that trust."

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I really enjoy books like this, especially crime and mystery with a danmei angle, so I went into this knowing it would probably be my kind of read. Volume one on its own barely feels like danmei yet since there is no real romance between the main characters at this point, but with priest, I am more than willing to be patient. What I appreciated most was how serious and grounded the story felt. It does not rush to entertain or comfort you. Instead, it asks you to pay attention, to sit with uncertainty, and to follow a case that unfolds slowly and sometimes uncomfortably. I liked that it trusted me as a reader and did not over explain or force momentum where it did not belong.

Luo Wenzhou and Fei Du were easily my favorite part. Luo Wenzhou feels sharp, stubborn, and deeply principled, the kind of character who hides concern behind sarcasm and constant motion. He feels lived in, shaped by responsibility and a refusal to look away when things get messy. Fei Du, on the other hand, is controlled, observant, and unsettlingly calm. There is emotional distance there, but not emptiness. What stood out most was how much tension they generate just by talking. Their conversations feel intentional and charged, full of irritation, awareness, and something unspoken that keeps pulling them back together.

This book is heavy and methodical, and I can see why some readers struggle with the pacing. Progress can feel slow, and there is very little emotional relief. Justice is not neat, and discomfort lingers. For me, that was part of the appeal. I enjoy crime fiction that focuses on consequences, ethical compromise, and the long shadow of decisions. This was a demanding read, but a rewarding one, and it left me confident that sticking with the series will be worth it.

Date Read: 2026.01.26
Profile Image for Rebecca.
1,478 reviews87 followers
March 2, 2026
This was a strong first volume. Once I set my expectations accordingly and prepared for a story heavier on plot than romance, I appreciated how well plotted this is. The mystery is genuinely interesting, mostly wrapping up but leaving crumbs of a bigger mystery.

The characters are equally great. There may be no romance yet, but the dynamic between Luo Wenzhou and Fei Du is interesting and fun. Their chemistry may manifest right now as childish bickering, but it never ceases to entertain, and is setting a good foundation for their future.

I am very excited to read more.
Profile Image for Nerea.
754 reviews33 followers
February 16, 2026
Finally a modern / no fantasy danmei!!
As a mystery and detective stories fan, loved this book and well the main characters "enemies" state of enmity make it chef kisss !!
Profile Image for Liz.
228 reviews1 follower
September 5, 2025
I loved silent reading 💕 it is definitely for people who want a strong plot with their romance. I’m so excited to read this new translation of it.
Profile Image for sam ☾.
57 reviews
March 1, 2026
It's not every day you come across a book that completely fails to accomplish everything it's set out to do. It fails to be an intriguing murder mystery. It fails to be a romance. I initially wanted to read this book because I enjoy murder mysteries, and I wanted a modern danmei. I wish I had spent my time reading something else. The characters are extremely flat. They're all very trope-y. Nothing new to read about. Maybe they all receive better development in the second novel, but I don't care enough to find out.
If you want a murder mystery danmei, go read The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (MDZS) instead.
As a side note: I'm not sure why including the r-slur was deemed important. I realize that translation teams wish to preserve original intent as much as possible, but do we really need to include a slur?
Profile Image for Cyndi.
766 reviews45 followers
January 1, 2026
SO GOOD! I'm kind of mad at myself for starting a series like this when there's only one volume out (of six!) but too late now.
Profile Image for Andrea.
659 reviews37 followers
October 21, 2025
3.5 ⭐️

Meatbun me ha malacostumbrado. He echado en falta mucho salseo entre los protas, pero el caso no ha estado mal.
Profile Image for mara - hyrulevalkyrie.
271 reviews7 followers
January 3, 2026
Gahhh I loved this!! It felt like watching a crime drama and reading through the peak of the “episode” was thrilling. I can’t wait to read the next volume
Profile Image for Sleepy Zirka.
40 reviews
January 10, 2026
✧˖°.˗ˏˋ SILENT READING ˊ˗˖°.✧
----- ----- ----- ----- -----

“Jeez. Aren’t you ritzy,” Luo Wenzhou said with his cigarette still in his mouth. “I’m terrified. Sounds like us poor peasants need to go borrow some money from Daddy Fei.” He blew a kiss at the man as he was stuffed into the police car. “Bye-bye.”

----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Characters: ★★★★★
World Building: ★★★☆☆
Plot: ★★★★☆
Tension: ★★★★☆
Writing style: ★★★★☆
Entertainment: ★★★★☆
Romance/Smut: ★★★☆☆

Overall Score: ★ 3.9/5.0 ★ 8/10 ★

One of the big Priest bangers finally hit the official English market! And alone seeing the art when you flip through is magical enough, but to reread this intricately woven, high stakes detective story in its final form is a sight for the eyes. It is to note there was some discourse about the Version that was published (and i have grudges it is 6 instead of the original 5 volumes)
---- ----- ----- ----- -----
˗ˏˋ The Story ˊ˗

Luo Wenzhou, a criminal investigator hardened by years on the force, knows better than to believe in coincidence. When a case involving missing and abused children lands on his desk, it quickly escalates- from a single death to a trail of linked crimes buried under years of neglect. Each lead uncovers another failure: families that looked away, institutions that closed ranks, victims no one bothered to count.

Enter Fei Du. Rich. Brilliant. Emotionally vacant. Pulled in as a psychological consultant after his insights crack open the case, though his interest in it feels anything but professional. As they chase suspects through false confessions, manipulated witnesses, and carefully staged crimes, the truth emerges piece by piece- this wasn’t one act of violence, but something cultivated slowly, deliberately.

Forced to work side by side, Luo Wenzhou’s instinct clashes with Fei Du’s detached logic. The case closes. The city moves on. But some damage doesn’t disappear, and some minds (especially Fei Du’s) refuse to stay neatly contained.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
˗ˏˋ My Two Cents ˊ˗

*Cracks open a bottle of sparkling water.* Ahh so refreshing to revisit a work... i rarely get the luxury~ Anyways i read this one right after my mom finished it from my physical collection (ironically, because i owned a non-english copy beforehand yippee)

I didnt read this with both eyes, rather skimmed through it seeing all the key points unfold again, i cant tell you enough, how much enjoyment i had reading this Danmei. It is fair to say it will not appeal to many people, priest certainly has a certain way of writing that might be unappealing and detailed, dragging it into a somber and dark mood (My mom words haha~) But it is fair to criticize this aspect of it. the characters are strong and the dynamic between them is outstanding.
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
- Series ☆ 3.6/5 ☆ -

Silent Reading Mo Du (Novel) Vol. 1 (Special Edition) by Priest [ Silent Reading Vol. 1 ] ★ 3.9/5.0 ★ 8/10 ★
Silent Reading Mo Du (Novel) Vol. 2 by Priest [ Silent Reading Vol. 2 ] ★ x/5.0 ★ x/10 ★
[ Silent Reading Vol. 3 ] ★ x/5.0 ★ x/10 ★
[ Silent Reading Vol. 4 ] ★ x/5.0 ★ x/10 ★
[ Silent Reading Vol. 5 ] ★ x/5.0 ★ x/10 ★
[ Silent Reading Vol. 6 ] ★ x/5.0 ★ x/10 ★
Profile Image for Nadia.
1,225 reviews49 followers
February 22, 2025
Китайцы такие китайцы. Можно сразу сказать, что читаешь азиатскую литературу, хотя говорят, что менталитет - это придуманная вещь. Ни фига. Зацикленность на внешности и еде - это я еще в трилогии Crazy Rich Asians заметила.
Но мне на удивление понравилось. Хотя, возможно, я потеряла какую-то часть истории от того, что не читала Красное и черное.
Мне понравилось. Интересная история и довольно увлекательное расследование. Отношения между двумя детективами и Фэй Ду до конца не понятны. Так же как и ориентация капитана Ло. Все-таки довольно завуалированно они все подают, наверное, чтоб в случае чего можно было бы отвертеться. За расследованием интересно следить, хотя поведение и мысли героев и ставили местами в тупик.
Фэй Ду выступает тут в качестве неофициального консультанта, а команда капитана Ло умудряется расследовать параллельно несколько дел, которые, впочем, закучиваются в процессе в один клубок.
Это законченная история, несмотря на то, что, видимо, будет частью цикла. Но можно вполне себе взять читать и после нее не брать вторую часть. А можно взять.
Profile Image for Katelynn.
5 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2026
I try to read most published danmei, but this book specifically stood out to me due to the cover art and the murder mystery plot line.

My initial impression of the book is that it’s written in a very different style than I expected. The mystery and inner workings of the police and their politics definitely take center stage in the story. To the point that I personally feel the main characters and their dynamics are a bit underdeveloped. I did enjoy the characters, the main lead especially, from what is shown of them. However, my connection to them feels a bit lacking.

If you want to pick up a novel that is very character-focused or relationship-focused, this is not it.

If you want a murder mystery, then it does definitely deliver on that front. It took me a bit to get interested in the mystery they were spinning, but that may have been due to me adjusting my expectations. Once I got a bit into the book, I found the plot pretty compelling and did enjoy it. The characters personalities in how they approached the investigation were quite interesting.

It is certainly one of the more plot-focused danmeis, especially at this point, where it is only the first book. That is something to keep in mind if you’re considering picking it up. However, I think the main characters have a lot of potential and an interesting relationship. I am looking forward to seeing how it develops in later volumes.

Rating: 3.5/5
Profile Image for Binghe.
5 reviews
January 3, 2026
Me encanta la dinámica que tienen los protas, ese pique entre ellos es increíble, no puedo esperar a que se relacione más su relación en los tomos posteriores. Además, conociendo a Priest y viendo lo descarados que son ambos, va a ser muy muy gracioso.

Por otro lado, el caso me ha dejado boquiabierta, no estoy acostumbrada a leer danmeis (ni libros en general) en setting moderno, pero sorprendentemente no me ha supuesto ningún impedimento para disfrutar el libro.
Profile Image for Massshkat.
57 reviews7 followers
August 1, 2025
4,5⭐️ for the slow beginning, otherwise this novel is great 🛐
Profile Image for Pau.
25 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2025
A Luo le hace tilín Fei Du, no tengo pruebas, pero tampoco dudas 👀
Profile Image for iz.
328 reviews3 followers
January 5, 2026
Oh, yeah. The tension between Luo Wenzhou and Fei Du is delicious. With heated hatred, they still manage to work together.
Profile Image for Paula (lovebookscl).
393 reviews179 followers
March 19, 2026
Relectura con la traducción oficial en inglés.

Este fue mi primer danmei de Priest en su momento (incluso entre los primeros danmei que leí y más encima de crimen y misterio) y me sigue encantando en esta relectura. Aunque debo decir que el caso que se aborda en el primer arco no es mi favorito, se viene una parte aún mejor y un caso más de infarto.

Algo que sí amo mucho de esta primera parte (y el primer caso que luego se unirá al resto) es el final, esa escena está entre mis favoritas de toda la historia y agradezco que tuviera una ilustración.

Es un buen comienzo de la historia, aunque requiere ir anotando varios personajes, pero con el pasar de Mo Du le vas agarrando el ritmo a la historia y los casos.

Algo que no recordaba (es que lo leí hace tanto) es el beef entre Luo Wenzhou y Fei Du por Tao Ran jajajaja que manera de reír con eso. Enemigos en el amor que luego se enamoran entre ellos (Tao Ran gracias por rechazarlos épicamente jajaja).

El gato como siempre 10/10. Priest siempre cat lover.

Y estoy tan feliz con la artista que fue elegida para ilustrar algunas escenas de Mo Du, porque le va perfecto. Me quedaba harto rato mirando cada detalle, es para ponerlo en cuadros. Además siento que se eligieron buenas escenas para ilustrar, destacando momentos claves.

¿Y saben qué sensación me da Mo Du? es como esas historias de detectives antiguas, de fondo suena jazz, alguien tiene un cigarro en la mano, los detectives son como de la vieja escuela y no temen romper un poco las reglas jajaja se siente muy vintage. Denle un sombrero a Luo Wenzhou y la frase “la ciudad no es lo que solía ser” y estamos listos jajaja
Profile Image for Melissa McGhee.
Author 5 books12 followers
March 25, 2026
I haven’t found a Priest book I don’t like, and this one was just added to the list.

This had everything I was hoping for thrills, drama, murder, a detailed case needing solving and the start of a sllllloooooww burn. I have book 2 ready to go on my bookshelf.
Profile Image for Fay.
92 reviews3 followers
March 17, 2026
Just a girl and her emotional support danmei author against the world

this was exactly what i needed right now
Profile Image for Yuuto.
945 reviews2 followers
December 24, 2025
3.5

I don’t know, maybe the depth of story and characters in the Guardian novels spoiled me a bit, because the cast of characters in this book felt really flat and truthfully kind of unlikable. There wasn’t anything really memorable about it, truthfully. It was an ok mystery but that’s about it.
Profile Image for Ify.
235 reviews1 follower
December 24, 2025
Luo Wenzhou and Fei Du are going to be in my head FOREVER. I’ve been dying to have a physical copy of this book for over a year, ever since I first read this. I annotated the hell out of my copy, and that was so satisfying!! They’ve been living in my head for over a year at this point. Love isn’t even a strong enough word to describe how much I adore this series and the characters 🥹
Profile Image for Lissel.
551 reviews15 followers
December 26, 2025
This is my favorite Priest novel that I've read, and one of my favorite danmei overall.
The plot is very interesting and the pacing is better than other books by her, though the beginning is a little slow, but it picks up fairly quickly.
Fei du and Luo Wenzhou are amazing characters.
I very much recomend this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews