Discover the Top 15 Mind-Blowing Detective Novels Adapted into Compelling Chinese Films

1. Close Your Eyes When He Comes

Dinh Mac, a prominent author in romantic detective novels, gained increasing popularity with the 2015 TV adaptation of Close Your Eyes When He Comes. Specializing in romantic and sweet detective novels, Dinh Mac is adored by the younger audience. Close Your Eyes When He Comes drove fans wild with the pure and simple beauty of Jian Dao, portrayed by Ma Tu Thuan. The series, starring Huo Jianhua as the cold, arrogant, yet passionately loving criminal psychologist Bai Can Ngon, encompassed all the elements contributing to its success.

The story revolves around the intellectual duel of Bai Can Ngon, an arrogant criminal psychologist, with various criminals, both big and small, deep and poisonous. This cold and arrogant individual eventually found the person to whom he wholeheartedly gave his heart. Jian Dao, intelligent, innocent, and pure, gets entangled in gruesome crime stories. However, they together experience and solve the psychological challenges posed by the most twisted and difficult criminals.

DETAILS:

• Title: Close Your Eyes When He Comes
• Director: Zhang Kai Zhu
• Cast: Huo Jianhua, Ma Tu Thuan,...
• Year of Production: 2015
• Number of Episodes: 24 episodes

Based on the novel of the same name by author Tri Thù, Ten Heinous Crimes recreates 10 shocking cases in China. The perpetrators commit brutal and heinous crimes, casting a dark shadow over China at that time. The entire storyline is a somber portrayal of brutality, yet it captivates viewers with sharp deduction and realistic narrative elements.

Ten Heinous Crimes (Tenfold Sins) debuted in 2016 with a duration of 25 minutes per episode but captivated the eyes of mystery lovers. Adapted from Tri Thù's novel depicting 10 real cases, the series becomes even more terrifying. The handsome male lead Trương Hàn adds allure to the show. Although it concludes at episode 21, leaving many questions and regrets for the audience, Ten Heinous Crimes is a crime drama worth watching with a touch of horror.

DETAILS:

• Movie Title: Ten Heinous Crimes (Tenfold Sins)
• Director: Lý Đông Huân
• Cast: Tăng Chí Vĩ, Trương Hàn, Trương Nhã Mai,...
• Year of Production: 2016
  
• Number of Episodes: 21 episodes

Quest for Memories is an adaptation of the novel by Đinh Mặc, a master of romantic mystery novels. Intertwining thrilling plot twists and serial murders, the story delves deeply into the emotions of the male and female protagonists. Quest for Memories is Đinh Mặc's third work to be adapted into a film after 'Close Your Eyes When He Comes' and 'If Snails Have Love,' marking the most successful year for the renowned mystery novelist.

The main character of the story is Hàn Trầm. Despite suffering from amnesia, he relentlessly searches for his fiancée, a girl denied by everyone to have ever existed for the past 5 years. Hàn Trầm arrives in the city of Giang, where he encounters Tô Miên, a strong-willed girl pursuing a career in criminal psychology. Similar to Hàn Trầm, Tô Miên is a mysterious character with a blank past for the past 5 years. Since their meeting, he involves her in complicated cases with no way out. On the journey to unravel the clues of these cases, it is also a quest to recover the memories of the empty 5-year period.

DETAILS:

• Movie Title: Quest for Memories
• Director: Lý Đạt Siêu
• Cast: Bạch Vũ, Dương Dung, ...
• Year of Production: 2016
• Number of Episodes: 36 episodes

A film that made waves throughout 2018 and received enthusiastic acclaim from domestic audiences is Soul Guard. The movie is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by the author Priest, featuring the participation of Bạch Vũ, Chu Nhất Long, and others.

The storyline revolves around mysterious cases with supernatural elements, such as vengeful spirits, ghosts, and the adventure of searching for sacred artifacts by the Special Investigation Bureau led by Triệu Vân Lan. While solving a case at the university, Triệu Vân Lan encounters Professor Thẩm Ngụy. The two face numerous challenges together. When the film aired, most viewers were captivated by the chemistry between Triệu Vân Lan and Thẩm Ngụy, sometimes overlooking the plot. However, the film's special effects are also commendable, staying true to the original work.

DETAILS:

• Movie Title: Soul Guard
• Director: Châu Viễn Đan
• Cast: Bạch Vũ, Chu Nhất Long, ...
• Year of Production: 2018
• Number of Episodes: 40 episodes

Adapted from the ancient romance mystery novel Silk Shadows by Lam Sắc Sư Phân. Two individuals with completely contrasting personalities: the clever and witty Silk Guardian Lục Dịch and the cold and aloof Viên Kim Hạ unexpectedly collaborate to solve crimes. The dry elements of crime-solving become sweeter in the film through the interweaving of the mysterious elements of detective stories with the romance genre.

Belonging to the genre of historical crime-solving, Silk Shadows doesn't make the audience feel dull, as there are always sweet and humorous chemistry scenes between the main couple. Despite their contrasting personalities, they unwillingly team up, giving rise to many laughable and heartwarming situations.

DETAILS:

• Movie Title: Silk Shadows
• Director: Doãn Đào
• Cast: Đàm Tùng Vận, Nhậm Gia Luân, Hàn Đống , Diệp Thanh,...
• Year of Production: 2018
• Number of Episodes: 50 episodes

The film is an adaptation of Chu Hạo Huy's famous work, “Death Notice,” with some modifications and changes from the original, yet still ensuring the suspense, intensity, and intrigue of serial murders. It revolves around the dark avenger, Darker, who specializes in killing criminals that the law struggles to handle. His peculiar habit is sending a death notice to the victims before striking. The movie consists of three parts, with the first part released in 2014.

The storyline follows a character who goes by the name Darker, with a peculiar criminal ideal, only targeting those who have committed crimes that the law either cannot or will not punish. Once he acts, he always sends the victim a death notice, hence the title 'Death Notice.' Notably, regardless of how skilled the police are or how extensive their traps, they cannot prevent Darker. The special investigation unit formed to catch him must immediately combat the unusual intelligence and sharpness of this serial killer.

DETAILS:

• Movie Title: Shadow's Pursuit 3
• Director: Mao Côn Vũ
• Cast: Quách Kinh Phi, Lý Thiện, Khúc Tiểu Thạch,..
• Year of Production: 2019
• Number of Episodes: 24 episodes

Following the success of Soul Guard, Bạch Vũ takes on a new role in the film Divine Detective. Although it didn't create a frenzy like Soul Guard, Divine Detective delivered a compelling detective film in 2019.

The film, also known as Detective L, revolves around the character La Phi (portrayed by Bạch Vũ) - a detective striving to uphold justice. Thanks to a high IQ and excellent skills, La Phi often acts alone and solves many mysterious and dangerous cases. The film is well-invested in both content and visuals, making it a must-watch detective-themed movie!

DETAILS:

• Movie Title: Divine Detective
• Director: Đặng Khoa
• Cast: Bạch Vũ, Vưu Tinh Như,...
• Year of Production: 2019
• Number of Episodes: 24 episodes

Mystical Healer is an adaptation based on the thrilling novel 'Listening to the Dead'. Minh Xuyên, a young and talented healer, is well-known in the city of Bằng Hải. In a series of serial murders, Minh Xuyên becomes a suspected figure. To investigate the truth, Chief Detective La Bút Tâm is dispatched to Bằng Hải to conduct the investigation and approach Minh Xuyên.

In parallel with this investigation, Minh Xuyên and La Bút Tâm also participate in solving many other cases. Ultimately, all the investigation leads point to a person related to the long-frozen serial murder case, intricately linked to Minh Xuyên's true identity. Throughout the investigation, he is determined to find the culprit, unravel the mysteries, and bring peace to the victims' souls. Every small detail is meticulously observed, nothing is overlooked.

DETAILS:

• Movie Title: Mystical Healer
• Director: Cung Triều Huy
• Cast: Tống Dật, Nhiếp Viễn,...
• Year of Production: 2019
• Number of Episodes: 36 episodes

Seven Years Still Turning North is the first detective novel by Ân Tầm that was purchased for adaptation into a film. Since its release, many have anticipated that the film will be a unique and captivating addition to the Chinese film scene.

The story revolves around the relationship between forensic expert Lục Bắc Thần (Huỳnh Tông Trạch) and doctor Cố Sơ (Diệp Thanh). Viewers will be deeply impressed, even frightened, by the initial scenes of the film, which are reminiscent of classic detective movies. Through intricate and challenging cases, viewers will gradually unravel the secrets hidden in the past of both main characters. Although it follows the familiar detective storyline, the uniqueness and attraction of Seven Years Still Turning North lie in the carefully crafted details that guide and captivate the audience.

DETAILS:

• Movie Title: Seven Years Still Turning North
• Directors: Mưu Hiểu Kiệt, Dương Tân Vũ
• Cast: Huỳnh Tông Trạch, Diệp Thanh,....
• Year of Production: 2019
• Number of Episodes: 37 episodes

Great Tang Female Forensic is not only the most popular historical drama in 2020 but also rises to the top of the list of the best historical detective dramas. The story revolves around Nhiễm Nhan, the daughter of the Nhiễm family, who is determined to uncover the true cause of her mother's death. Adapted from the time-travel novel of the same name by author Tụ Đường.

To fulfill her wish, she delves into the study of medicine and becomes a female forensic expert. As she grows older, Nhiễm Nhan encounters Tiêu Tụng, a handsome but mysterious man, Tô Phục, a formidable assassin, and Tang Thần, a genius scholar. The four form a team and together solve various intriguing and mysterious cases. Each case unfolds through the frames of the film, revealing the details one by one. Along the journey of solving crimes, we also find moments of relaxation in Nhiễm Nhan's romantic story.

DETAILS:

• Movie Title: Great Tang Female Forensic
• Director: Kim Ngật Phi
• Cast: Chu Khiết Quỳnh, Lý Trình Bân, Bùi Tử Thiêm,...
• Year of Production: 2020
• Number of Episodes: 36 episodes

Thanh Hoa Fourteenth Year or the fourteenth year of Thanh Hoa is a new historical detective drama aired in early 2020, revolving around a miraculous crime-solving story between Duong Phiem – a royal inspector, and Cam Y Ve Tuy Chau. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Mong Khe Thach, the series begins with the case of the young Marquis and then the mysterious death of boarding house owner Truong Thi. At first glance, the death seems to be staged as a suicide, but what mysteries lie behind it.

After solving the case, Duong Phiem goes to Ha Nam to investigate the sudden disappearance of people near the tomb of the late Northern Tống Emperor. When the culprit is revealed, it appears that he is just a pawn in a much larger conspiracy. As major cases continue to wreak havoc on the country and the regions, Duong Phiem and Tuy Chau work diligently to expose the mastermind behind the 'puppeteer'.

DETAILS:

• Movie Title: Thanh Hoa Fourteenth Year
• Director: Thanh Long
• Cast: Mao Nghi, Pho Manh Bach, Quan Hong, Vuong Mau Loi,...
• Year of Production: 2020
• Number of Episodes: 48 episodes