I would like to thank Netgalley and Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of The Scent of Guilt, the second novel to feature DI Jimmy Bliss and DS Penny Chandler.

On the eve of his first official day at the Peterborough station Bliss is called out to a murder scene where a pensioner has been stabbed to death and her finger nails removed. This is the killer's third victim so he is now leading the hunt for a serial killer. Chandler, seconded to the Met's Sapphire Unit, comes back to Peterborough to interview rape victims and makes a breakthrough observation linking the two cases.

I enjoyed The Scent of Guilt which is a fast paced procedural with plenty going on in terms both of action and the investigation. I like the fact that with no forensics or witnesses it is the minor anomalies and deductive reasoning that provide the solution. The trip to California is an interesting sideline with both action and investigation but highly improbable in these straitened times. The plotting is well done with good pacing on the reveals, tension and action.

I was less keen on the characterisation which doesn't ring true to me. Bliss is a man with several tics, he has a chronic illness, a murdered wife and no respect for authority. I like the way he is able to defend his position logically and articulately but it makes his emotional over reliance on Chandler difficult to understand or believe. There is a hint about chemistry between them but who knows? His DCI's animosity towards him is even more difficult to understand or believe. She is a senior police officer who certainly didn't get to that position by prejudging people on the basis of rumours and half truths which apparently does. Chandler is the smart one on the team, able to make links and draw inferences that elude the others but she too has a troubled past.

The Scent of Guilt is a solid read. 3.5* rounded up to 4* for the plotting.

Scent of guilt by tony j forder.
Twelve years after he left Peterborough under a cloud, DI Bliss returns to the city and the major crimes team. Having spent years policing organised crime, Bliss is plunged straight into the heart of a serial murder investigation. 
A fantastic read with great characters. Couldn't put it down. 5*

Great book. Brilliant storyline and excellent main characters. I would not hesitate to recommend this book.