Catch the Scent centers on Botan Hanamura, a former perfumer who possesses a superhuman sense of smell. Her unique ability allows her to detect the distinct odor that criminals emit, which she calls the crime scent. This talent brings her to the attention of law enforcement, and she is recruited to partner with a detective named Kuroda, sometimes identified as Mayuzumi, to apply her olfactory gifts to police work.

The story follows the unlikely partnership as Botan uses her nose to track scent trails and identify the unique olfactory signatures left behind at crime scenes. Together, the pair solves a series of baffling cases that conventional investigative methods cannot crack. The narrative blends tense mystery with moments of quirky humor, creating a balance between suspense and character interaction.

A central narrative arc involves the cost of Botan's ability. While her hyper-sensitive sense of smell is a powerful investigative tool, it comes with a significant physical or psychological price that adds a layer of personal stakes to the procedural drama. As the cases progress, the series explores the human drama behind the scents, using fragrance as a gateway to understanding the emotions and histories of both criminals and victims. The dynamic between the former perfumer and her police partner forms the core of the buddy suspense narrative, with their contrasting skills and personalities driving the investigative work.