Can a criminal hide when his very presence announces itself with the scent of flowers?

In The Thief Whose House Smelled of Jasmine, Mehdi Mirkiaei tells the whimsical tale of Nader, a thief with a peculiar problem. A jasmine tree in his courtyard is so fragrant that its scent clings to his clothes, betraying his presence wherever he goes. Instead of fear, he leaves behind a trail of perfume, confusing homeowners and police alike.

This collection of short stories blends humor with poetic irony, exploring how beauty and innocence can disarm even the law. From a policeman who hesitates to arrest a man smelling of heaven to a little girl who keeps a criminal’s secret, Mirkiaei invites readers into a world where the heart’s logic outweighs the rules of the city.