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What a fun, heart filled story! Brings back the memories of Free Willy in captivity, but this remarkably bright creature is a giant Pacific octopus, Marcellus, held at the Sowell Bay Acquarium. Warming our hearts with his wit, sarcastic view of humans and unbelievable wisdom. He longs to be free and counts the days of his captivity. When all lights are out and workers have left the building, he does a Houdini from his aquarium each night to find more food...better quality than what they feed him. He climbs back in with a full stomach and a record time of 18 minutes before he expires. With only a life span of 4 years, this octopus is nearing his end, but longs to help solve a mystery for a friend. Beyond belief, he befriends a 70 year old custodian Tova, the only human to interact with him daily.

Tova experiences life as a widow and displays a heart wrenching loss of her son 30 years ago when he was only 18 years old. Eric was last seen in a boat leaving near Puget Sound and no evidence was found of his whereabouts. Through her POV, you feel the dread of entering an empty home and day by day acceptance of living alone.

Told in a 3 person point of view, Cameron is hired to help at the aquarium and Tova takes him under her training. He was raised by his aunt after his mom walked out on him when he was younger. Unable to sustain a job or a girlfriend, he feels unaccepted by society's standards. This unlikely trio creates a bond that will melt your heart and help solve the mystery of Tova's son. A story of love, loss, grief, friendship and healing and a remarkable bond between animals and humans. There is a brush with sadness through the eyes of a wild creature's captivity.
Incredible writing that will bring you to tears and laughter in one setting and this is her debut novel!

Thank you Edelweiss and Bloomsbury Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.