Luca Turin, born with an extraordinary ability to discern the nuances of scent, initially pursued a career in science while keeping his olfactory talents hidden. His passion for fragrance writing unexpectedly catapulted him into the spotlight, revealing a hidden world of scent creation characterized by an alarming lack of understanding of how human olfaction works. Despite billions spent on developing perfumes through a largely trial-and-error process, the scientific community has not yet unraveled the complexities of smell, unlike other senses that have garnered Nobel recognition. Turin dedicates his life to solving this enigmatic puzzle, ultimately achieving a breakthrough after an arduous journey. Chandler Burr chronicles Turin's remarkable story—a tale of obsession and scientific rebellion—drawing parallels to Susan Orlean's acclaimed work, The Orchid Thief.