The Scent of Death

Harry Treadaway is Dr David Hunter: the darkly compelling new TV series ‘The Chemistry of Death’ – streaming now on Paramount+

By: Simon Beckett

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble

* Don't miss 'THE CHEMISTRY OF DEATH' TV SERIES - debuts on Paramount+ on 19 Jan 23 *

Based on The Chemistry of Death and Written in Bone - starring Harry Treadaway as Dr David Hunter

Random House presents the audiobook edition of The Scent of Death written by Simon Beckett, read by Jonathan Keeble.

It's been a good summer for forensics expert Dr David Hunter. His relationship is going well and he's in demand again as a police consultant. Life is good.

Then a call comes from an old associate: a body has been found, and she'd like Hunter to take a look.

The empty shell of St Jude's Hospital now stands awaiting demolition, its only visitors society's outcasts, addicts and dealers. A partially mummified corpse has been discovered in the hospital's cavernous loft, but not even Hunter can say how long it's been there. All he knows for sure is that it's the body of a young woman. And that she was pregnant.

But the collapse of the loft floor reveals another of the hospital's secrets. A sealed-off chamber, still with beds inside. Some of them occupied...

For Hunter, what began as a straightforward case is about to become a twisted nightmare that threatens everyone around him. And as the investigation springs more surprises, one thing is certain.

St Jude's hasn't claimed its last victim . . .

With its viscerally authentic forensics, menacing atmosphere and nerve-shredding tension, Simon Beckett's new crime thriller will leave you gasping.

Critic reviews

Simon Beckett’s sixth novel featuring the forensic anthropologist David Hunter is arguably his best . . . a superbly strong read. (Marcel Berlins)

Beckett's masterful storytelling and macabre forensic details make his novels utterly chilling reads. (TESS GERRITSEN)

I've Been Saving This As a Treat

After recent less than thrilling procedural mysteries that I have read and reviewed, I was really pleased to read the most recent David Hunter thriller. It's quite fast paced and twisty. Beginning with the discovery of a body at soon to be demolished hospital, Hunter is dragged into a threat to his relationship with the police as they bring in a private company with a young gun scientist who causes Hunter some grief. It also seems as if Hunter will finally get over some of the traumas of his past.

Very well read, I enjoyed it thoroughly and it seemed as if the time I spent with it went by too fast. Here's hoping there will be another book in this series soon.

1st time reader of the Hunter series. A+

I came upon Simon Beckett through a recommendation. Having primarily a European audience, I hadn't heard of him or the David Hunter series. I came away very impressed and wanting to read the rest of the 6 book series. As of this review, there are only two audio books available and I started at the end of the series with book 6. Brilliant UK performance by Jonathon Keeble who is a master at the various accents of the multinational characters. Great story and plot, deep characters and lots of twists and turns. definitely a worthwhile, entertaining read/listen.

Gripping!

I couldn't bear to stop listening! Heart pounding moments and some sad ones! As always - very satisfying.

Just boring...

I couldn’t finish this book. I returned it once I reached chapter 19 and couldn’t take anymore. The narrator was ok except when he did the voice of one of the characters that’s suppose to be an old lady!, That voice was super annoying. It was just boring. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen but nothing did, at least up to chap 19.

Just boring

Dreary and drawn out. This book could not have been more tedious. Save your money.