ŷ������

4.5 rounded up

Marcellus McSquiddles is the remarkably bright creature, a captive 60lb giant Pacific Octopus at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. He escapes his tank as much as he can and as this is day 1299 in his captivity he knows his time is running out, his lifespan being four years or 1460 days. Tuva Sullivan is a septuagenarian cleaner at the aquarium, a job she’s done to perfection since her husband died. Over 30 years ago, Tova‘s 18-year-old son, Erik mysteriously vanishes in the Puget Sound. Finally, there is Cameron Cassmore, a young man who comes to the area seeking the father he has never known. Oh, sorry, Ethan (Mac), the transplanted Scot, who runs the local shop, how could I forget you?!

This is a really wonderful, creative, suspend your disbelief novel that will both warm your heart but also give you a lump or two in your throat. It’s character driven and, huge cheer, they're all really likeable! I absolutely love Marcellus, he’s funny, witty, so clever, well, he has got nine brains after all, so perceptive (just go with it) and he’s all heart with three of those. Tova is wonderful too and the conversations and interactions with Marcellus are some of the best sections in the book. The contrast with careworn young Cameron works so well too but this place works its magic on this young man. All the characters are very well portrayed, they feel authentic with issues that we can all relate to.

The setting is fantastic and it’s a part of the United States I’ve always wanted to go to and this book makes it go even higher on my bucket list! The small community of Sowell Bay is conveyed extremely well.

This is a must read, exceptional book. It’s full of emotion, giving you tears and smiles. It also makes you reflect especially upon the thorny issue of animals in captivity. Highly recommended

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bloomsbury Publishing plc for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.