The Scent of Guilt is the second book in the DI Bliss series. As the book is set twelve years after the first book, Bad to the Bone, you don't need to have read the first book to enjoy this one. As it's a good book though you will probably want to go back and read it and see how it all starts.

Whilst I enjoyed Bad to the Bone, I have to say The Scent of Guilt just blew me away. Bad to the Bone was the authors debut novel and he has written a few books since then and for me, with The Scent of Guilt, you can really see how much the author has grown as a writer. The story just flows perfectly and his talent just oozes through the pages. It was brilliant and seemed so effortless which made it even more enjoyable.

Bliss I was slightly unsure of in the first book as there were parts of him that I couldn't relate to but with time, and like a good wine, he has certainly improved with age. The working chemistry between him and Chandler is just mesmerising and I couldn't tear myself away from the pages. 

A crime involving rape is never going to be something that is easy to read. I really have to applaud the author with his writing skills in getting the victims feelings across to the reader. I'm not sure what research he may have done but he totally nailed it for me and parts made for some really emotional reading. 

The Scent of Guilt is very much a game of cat and mouse with some shocking twists and turns. The author has raised the bar very high with this book and I literally can not wait to see what he has in store for us next.

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.