The Backlit Bullet

Name: The Backlit Bullet
ISBN: 9787513349536

深蓝New Star Press · ChinaSep 2022

3.5

Word count: 150K words
Chapters: 28
ISBN: 9787513349536

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Summary

In 2001, after the "June 11 Drug Case" in Nan'an City was solved, Liu Sanqing, an officer of the Anti-Drug Brigade, was tasked with transporting the evidence and seized drugs back to the public security bureau. But the police car plunged into a river on the way, and Liu Sanqing disappeared, along with the drugs. In 2003, Gu Jianguo, head of the Investigation Brigade, was killed in a shootout with drug traffickers during the "December 8 Gun Case"; the bullet came from Liu Sanqing's service weapon before his disappearance, and the police therefore identified Liu Sanqing as the fugitive drug dealer "Changshun" and launched a manhunt.

In 2016, Gu Chuan, long since a police officer and sworn to avenge his father, falls into one perilous situation after another while tracking a drug trafficking ring. How do the traffickers escape capture time and again? What is the officer who never fires his gun afraid of? What became of the missing Liu Sanqing? In Nan'an City, where undercurrents surge, who holds all the power?

Editor's review

The Backlit Bullet is a suspense mystery novel by the writer Shen Lan, published by New Star Press. It tells the story of an veteran criminal detective investigating an old cold case; the plot revolves around a mysterious bullet and, through dual narrative threads, gradually uncovers buried truths and the complexity of human nature as past and present interweave. Shen Lan's writing is cold and precise, building a layered suspenseful atmosphere while rendering the characters' inner struggles and the imprint of their era with penetrating insight. As a work of social mystery, it goes beyond mere puzzle-solving, exploring the difficult choices individuals face among justice, duty and emotion in a specific historical environment, and the heavy price behind the truth. Reading this book, readers enjoy the intellectual pleasure of solving a mystery while also feeling a profound sense of fate and deep reflection on human nature; its literary quality and intellectual depth stand out among works of its kind.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who love social mystery and care about human nature and the era behind a case
Novel lovers who prefer police procedurals and detailed investigative writing
Readers who appreciate dual narrative structure and can immerse themselves in complex character relationships
Readers seeking emotional resonance and intellectual inspiration in a suspense story

Not a good fit for

Suspense readers seeking pure entertainment with fast pacing and strong action thrills
Readers who want a wholly bright ending and avoid heavy real-world issues

Reading tips

While reading, pay attention to the shifts in timeline and feel how past events profoundly affect characters' present behavior.
Watch the details of supporting characters' words and actions; they are often the key pieces that complete the puzzle.
After finishing, revisit the foreshadowing in the opening; you may find new discoveries and insights.

About the publisher

New Star Press China · Founded in 1989

New Star Press focuses on classic works, mystery and detective fiction, science fiction, history, foreign literature and art, and its 602 titles in the library show a balance between popular reading and humanistic depth. Representative books include The Complete Works of Shakespeare: Illustrated Collector's Edition, And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, The Player of Games, Local Government in Qing China, A Good Man Is Hard to Find and A Collection of Fine Ukiyo-e Prints, spanning classic literature, detective fiction, science fiction, local history and visual art. Its authors and contributors include William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie and Iain M. Banks, as well as translators such as Zhu Shenghao and Su Fuzhong and illustrators such as John Gilbert and George Cruikshank. Known for the detective series Midnight Library and for social-science and humanities titles, the press emphasizes edition design and reading experience; public information is limited, so this profile highlights the publishing features reflected in the library's books.

版权信息
第一章
第二章
第三章
第四章
第五章
第六章
第七章
第八章
第九章
第十章
第十一章
第十二章
第十三章
第十四章
第十五章
第十六章
第十七章
第十八章
第十九章
第二十章
第二十一章
第二十二章
第二十三章
第二十四章
第二十五章
第二十六章
尾声

FAQ

Is the book's tone dark and oppressive?

The story involves past tragedies and an obsessive pursuit, and the overall atmosphere is cold, realistic and somewhat heavy, but it does not merely render darkness; in revealing wounds it also shows glimmers of human warmth and a commitment to justice.

Do I need investigative knowledge to understand it?

No. The author handles professional details just right, creating a sense of realism without causing reading obstacles. The core appeal lies in the characters' fates and emotional entanglements.

Is this the first book in a series?

Currently it is a standalone novel with a complete story and no obvious series setup.

Comments

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About the author

深蓝 Author

Shen Lan is an author about whom limited public information is available, including nationality and background. Ten of the author's works are currently known, mainly in documentary literature, suspense and mystery, and social fiction. Representative works include the four-volume Shen Lan's Stories series, along with San Da Dui: Selected Stories of Shen Lan, Shen Lan's Stories 2: People in the Game, Shen Lan's Stories 3: The Unfinished Case, and Shen Lan's Stories 4: Among People. These works are largely drawn from real cases and the fates of ordinary people, told in plain, concise prose that emphasizes detail and a sense of immediacy, combining the credibility of documentary writing with the readability of mystery fiction. The series gained wider attention through the film and television adaptations of San Da Dui, and its focus on ordinary people's circumstances and choices has helped shape a distinctive personal style.