The Scent of Death cover art

The Scent of Death

David Hunter, Book 6

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The Scent of Death

By: Simon Beckett
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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About this listen

* 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.

©2019 Simon Beckett (P)2019 Penguin Random House UK
Crime Fiction Mystery Suspense Fiction
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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)

What listeners say about The Scent of Death

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

S ent of death

Very good read I have fits so Audible books are so good cos I can listen intead and you picture what the characters are like

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Gripping to the end

So well written and read ... well researched.
First Simon Becket I have read will definitely read more

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another great book by Simon Beckett

Simon Beckett just keeps good books coming and I love listening to the audiobooks when they become available. Great narration.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book

Unfortunately the last in the series (so far) but probably the best written, Jonathon Keeble is a superb narrator and the story line has obviously been well researched. There is some element of "cut and paste" throughout the series but it does nothing to detract from your enjoyment. Yes the story is a little far fetched but that's what fiction is all about after all, I know this sounds daft but only some of the twists at the end become "predictable" with the benefit of hindsight only by looking back do some of the "clues" become apparent - very clever.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Well written and we'll read

I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were believable and the ending was not too easy to predict.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Brilliant JK excellent as usual enjoyed story Look forward to next book will reread this book again

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love the detail

Great book . Lots of twists and turns. I love the forensic detail that Simon puts in . Jonathan Keeble brings it all to life .. look forward to another book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Dr Hunter at it again!

All the classic ingredients of a Hunter novel:
1. Forensic anthropologist plays dumb at opportune moments with the key thought "something niggled at me, a thought just out of reach.." or "a vague thought I just couldn't grasp".
2. Private police consultant does all the things police tell him not to..
3. Man trained to recognise key skull features completely unable to recognise faces...until he needs to.

You get the idea. I've listened to all his books and I do like them but I also really hope the next one gets more original. This plot was too predictable because Hunter does whatever the most inappropriate thing is. In this book that gets a little jarring and I think, if you weren't familiar with the character, borders on the unbelievable at times.

Still, a decent book for die hard fans and I'm still looking forward to the next one.

Keeble is, as ever, an hugely talented narrator.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Excellent listen, good storyline and first class narration . One question why did Dr Hunters girlfriend suddenly have an Australian accent?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant as usual

Another excellent David Hunter story, very well read by Jonathan Keeble. My only slight complaint is the weird Aussie accent given to Rachael. Bearing in mind in the previous (audio)book she didn’t have the accent & it was explained she was originally from Bristol, it just seemed unnecessary & annoying to me! But not enough to make a difference in my enjoyment, can’t wait for the next one.

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