Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a 1985 literary historical cross-genre novel (originally published in German as Das Parfum) by German writer Patrick Süskind. The novel explores the sense of smell and its relationship with the emotional meaning that scents may carry. Above all this is a story of identity, communication and the morality of the human spirit.

The story focuses on Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a perfume apprentice in 18th century France who, born with no body scent himself, begins to stalk and murder virgins in search of the "perfect scent", which he finds in a young woman named Laura, whom his acute sense of smell finds in a secluded private garden in Grasse.

Born in Ambach (near Munich) in Germany to the late Wilhelm Emanuel Süskind, a journalist and writer on language, Patrick Süskind studied medieval and modern history at the universities of Munich and Aix-en-Provence. It has been said that he originally aspired to be a concert pianist but had some problem with his hands. Süskind began his writing career as a playwright. His first play (with international success), The Double Bass (Der Kontrabass) was performed in Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, London, and New York. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer has been adapted for the screen. Süskind lives reclusively in Munich, Paris, and Montolieu, France. He has refused awards for his writing, and he is known to never grant interviews.