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Shelby Van Pelt.
Remarkably Bright Creatures.
Bloomsbury. 2022

rating : 4 : passes the time
review : 14 May 2026

After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night cleaner shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium – keeping busy has helped her cope for over thirty years, ever since her son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat. One night she meets Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium who sees everything, but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors – until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now he must use every trick his old body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late…

Tove Sullivan suffered a tragedy many years ago when her 18 year old son Erik died. It was classed as a suicide, but Tove never believed that. Since her husband died of cancer a few years ago, she has kept herself busy as the cleaner at the local Aquarium.

Marcellus is a Giant Pacific Octopus in the Aquarium. He was rescued after being injured a few years ago, but is bored in his tank, and aware he doesn’t have much longer to live. He has spent his captivity recognising patterns, and learning about people.

Tove and Marcellus strike up an unlikely friendship. When a stranger comes to town, Marcellus recognises a solution to Tove’s problem. But how to let her know?

This is a gentle mystery, with octopoidal intervention. It is perfectly fine, but the mystery is revealed too early on, and there is not enough Marcellus. (My problem: I was reading it thinking it was science fiction. It isn’t.)