Suspense World No. 036

Cai JunSep 2016

3.5

Word count: 55K words
Chapters: 9

Summary

Murder is a kind of crime, and also an art within crime. This issue, Suspense World: Murder Strategy, brings you an art lesson in crime: Tie Tou and Wang Jiajun's serialized novels Crows Crying in the Cold and Murder Strategy tell you that killing is just that simple; suspense master Cai Jun's A Night at the House of Animals from the Longest Night series reveals the astonishing secrets of the animal house; promising authors Qin Yuexiao and Tian Yeran also bring their latest works; and NetEase comic serials Chinese Strange Tales and Corpse World bring the chilling horror of early autumn... This September, the excitement continues!

Editor's review

Titled “Murder Guide,” this issue treats crime as an “art class” to be dissected, with the kind of black humor typical of genre magazines. The serialized novels “Crow Weeps Like Tears” by Tie Tou and “Murder Guide” by Wang Jiajun carry the long-running suspense: the former leans toward atmosphere and character fate, while the latter more directly presents the cold logic that “killing is just that simple”; reading both reveals each author’s distinct narrative touch. Cai Jun’s “One Night in the Animal House,” part of his “The Longest Night” series, hides wonder and secrets in everyday spaces, continuing the series’ approach of “horror born from the familiar.” New works by Qin Yuexiao and Tian Yeran offer fresh perspectives, while NetEase Comics’ “Chinese Strange Tales” and “Realm of the Dead” visualize the horror—reading them in early autumn does bring a chill. Overall, this is a strongly curated compilation: unified under the theme of “crime and horror,” yet varied in genre and tone, suitable for dipping in and out according to interest, and also as an entry point for discovering new authors.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy crime-suspense anthologies and want to sample multiple authors’ styles in one sitting
Those following Cai Jun’s “The Longest Night” series and its new installments
Suspense fans interested in “Murder Guide”-style crime narratives and black humor
Young readers seeking quick horror experiences through short stories and comics

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer warm, healing themes and have low tolerance for crime descriptions
Honkaku fans who demand rigorous deduction and fair-play puzzle-solving in every story
Readers who dislike serialized cliffhangers and prefer complete long-form stories

Reading tips

Start with Cai Jun’s “Animal House” to set the tone, then move on to the serials by Tie Tou and Wang Jiajun.
Read “Murder Guide” alongside “Crow Weeps Like Tears,” noting how the two authors handle criminal motives differently.
Insert the new short stories between serial installments to adjust the pace and change the flavor.
Set aside a separate session for the comics to avoid competing for attention with the text pieces.

版权信息
【连载】寒鸦如泣（二）
【连载】谋杀攻略（一）
【最漫长的那一夜】动物之家的一夜
【罗生门】你想不到的蔡康永、金城武的罗生门
【小说】神秘调查团之尸体处理手册
【网易漫画连载】中国怪谈之血山（二）
【网易漫画连载】尸界（九）
【悬疑人】

FAQ

Is the “Murder Guide” theme too gory?

This issue focuses on crime narratives and suspense-building rather than gore. Authors vary in intensity: Tie Tou and Wang Jiajun’s serials emphasize plot momentum, while Cai Jun’s piece leans toward an atmosphere of wonder. If you’re sensitive to crime themes in general, try a short story first before deciding.

Which serial by Tie Tou and Wang Jiajun is better to start with?

The two differ in style: “Crow Weeps Like Tears” leans toward atmosphere and character, while “Murder Guide” more directly presents criminal logic. Choose the former to ease into the suspense, the latter for a colder, sharper pace; reading in magazine order won’t hinder comprehension either.

Is this issue a good introduction to Cai Jun’s style?

It works as a light entry point. “One Night in the Animal House” is a standalone chapter in the series that showcases its knack for creating wonder in everyday spaces. For a systematic understanding of Cai Jun, though, you’d still need to read his major novels.

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About the author

Cai Jun Author · China · 1978

Cai Jun, born in Shanghai in 1978, is a representative author of Chinese suspense fiction and a member of the China Writers Association. He began publishing stories at the age of 22 and gained wide attention in 2001 with the novel Virus, going on to build a sustained presence in the suspense and mystery genre. His works are often set in modern urban life, where he creates tension through ordinary situations, drawing readers in with layered suspense and unexpected twists and developing a distinctive personal style. His major works include Curse of the Ancient Village, The 19th Floor of Hell, Murder in the River of Time, and Spring Night, several of which have been adapted for film and television, earning him considerable recognition and influence among suspense readers. The collection here includes 43 of his works, among them the Suspense World series and the Di Xiaojie Detective Agency series.