4 stars

Inspector Pilgrim picks out PC Braddock on practically his first day on the job to assist him in an investigation. It is 1912 London and the villains are afoot. A jewelry store has been robbed and the owner beaten up.

Then a body turns up the next day. It was taken to the morgue, but by the time Pilgrim and Braddock get there, the body is gone. And another crime, the assault and theft of handbags and one shoe of two ladies.

These puzzling crimes keep Pilgrim and Braddock busy.

The story is well written and succinct. Although this is a short novel, it is action packed and no words are wasted. There is time, however, to pepper it with interesting little facts such as the launching of the Titanic and Admundsen’s race to the pole.

I enjoyed this novel. Since it was the first Roger Silverwood novel I’ve read, I will definitely be on the lookout for more of his work.

Thanks to Netgalley and Endeavour Press for forwarding me a copy of this fine book to read.

I received a free electronic copy of this historical mystery from Netgalley, Roger Silverwood, and Endeavour Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all, for sharing your hard work with me.

The Scent of Death covers a murder and a robbery in downtown London in April of 1912, both of which are being investigated by Inspector Pilgrim of Scotland Yard. This is a very detailed tale, keeping well within the bounds of 1912 London and the limitations of forensics at that time. I enjoyed this view into the past and will watch for Roger Silverwood in future.

Thank you Net Galley. A very enjoyable cosy mystery set in Yorkshire. Read it on the beach, while on vacation and enjoyed the period setting and the old fashioned detecting very much.

It's London in 1912.

The newspapers are filled with stories of the amazing Titanic and the British Antarctic Expedition. And now there is a story begging to be told involving an unexpected sight.

Perched on the ledge of a window on the third floor of the Bowers Department Store is the figure of a clown in full makeup. With swift arm movements, the clown flings out tiny parachutes attached to little boxes. The crowd below is mesmerized by this strange sight. They hurriedly open the boxes and find wind-up mice contained within. Is this an advertising or publicity stunt?

A few streets over, a robbery is taking place in an upscale jewelry store. When the jeweler refuses to open the safe, he is beaten by the intruders. One of the men uses gelignite to blow open the safe. The store contents are shoved into mail bags and the thieves are out the door within minutes.

Meanwhile, a dead body is found on the sidewalk not too far away that evening. Who is this man and what actions prompted his death? Better yet, is there some kind of connection to all of this?

Scotland Yard detectives, Inspector Harry Pilgrim and PC Braddock, are assigned to the cases. They seem to be locked in a confusing maze with no leads.

And we as readers seem to be locked in that maze along with these detectives. Roger Silverwood had a splendid storyline going here. However, it becomes bogged down with constant dry police interrogations. "Just the facts, mam." And we were bombarded with endless machine-gun, rapid fire facts. There was no build-up and no sense of intrigue or thrill. Just like the dead body on the sidewalk, there was absolutely no pulse or heartbeat. None.

I'm being generous with the 3 stars. Sadly, The Scent of Death could well be the story itself.

I received a copy through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Endeavour Press.

2nd April 1912, London, a clown is dispensing presents from the top of a building, a jewellery robbery is taking place and a dead man is found. Are there are connections and if so what and whom.
Inspector Pilgrim investigates.
The story was okay, not that interesting, but found the writing style a bit disconcerting.