Review | The Scent of Death by Simon Beckett (Damp Pebbles Blog Tour)

Forensics expert and police consultant Dr David Hunter is called to the abandoned St Jude’s Hospital to advise on the discovery of a partially mummified corpse. What initially appeared to be a routine investigation turns complicated when a sealed-off room is found, with more bodies inside. As Hunter delves deeper into the discoveries, the case becomes more complex with the involvement of a local activist. Soon, Hunter is caught in the middle as he tries to navigate police politics, new colleagues and even threats from his past.

Most people assume they’d know the scent of death. That decay has a distinctive, readily identifiable odour, a foul reek of the grave.

They’re wrong.

The Scent of Death is the sixth book in the David Hunter series, but also works as a standalone. This is the first book I’ve read from the series and I had no problem diving into the story. There is enough background information provided for me to know the context of Hunter’s current situation.

I enjoyed the forensics information and the detail that goes into Hunter’s work. My knowledge of forensics anthropology is only to the extent of TV shows I used to watch. So I found myself learning new things from this book. Like how a body decomposes, identification through bone length, evidence of trauma in old wounds. It makes for a change from other police procedural thrillers where the investigations involve questioning suspects and chasing leads. Watching Hunter form theories through the remains of a body is like watching him try to fit puzzle pieces together, and I found it really interesting.

As a main character, I thought Hunter is sympathetic and well-meaning, sometimes to his own detriment. He is trying to move on from his troubled past but it is not easy. It left him melancholic at times. While this doesn’t affect his work, he finds himself getting involved in intricate situations. His relationship with the police is shaky, though he has an ally in Detective Chief Inspector Sharon Ward. He also meets activist Adam Oduya, and fellow forensics expert Daniel Mears, but they are less enamoured with him. The conflict between Hunter and other characters causes further tension in a tense situation and it makes for a compelling read.

A large part of the story takes place in the empty, dilapidated structure of St Jude’s Hospital. The location is like another character, lurking in the background. The rot and decayed remains of the hospital lends an atmospheric, claustrophobic setting. Every time Hunter goes to the hospital I wanted to tell him to leave! The mystery is intriguing and I was dying to know how it will be solved. There is plenty of surprises and heart-pounding moments as events escalate the further the investigations go on. Lives are at stake, and it all culminates in a dramatic fashion.

The Scent of Death is an entertaining crime thriller with an appealing hero and a mystery that keeps you guessing. Thank you to the publisher for a review copy. The book is out now!

About the author: Simon Beckett

Photo by Daan Stevens