Conversations with an Octopus: calm waters conceal dark secrets

by Rebecca Smith

Diana Parks is a beautician with a temper, and she’s not the only member of Ottersea WI who’s had enough of bullies and slimeballs. When the body of lecherous landlord, Raj Sumal, washes up on the beach, it’s up to Detectives Jim Paddon and Grace Brown to solve the mystery. They start to suspect Raj’s wife, Sukhi, who likes walking on the cliffs.

Meanwhile, at Ottersea Oceanworld, Jane the Octopus hears people’s secrets and understands everything during a sweltering summer of strange deaths, new friendships, and a whole lot of ice cream.

298 pages, Paperback

Published November 12, 2024

Reviews

[Maya Hixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was such a fun read!!! the whole premise behind this book was unique and entertaining. it is one of those books where you’re getting a bunch of characters background stories at once and can’t figure out how they intertwine for a while, which can make for a tougher read for me personally. but as everything started to come together ~1/3 of the way through it became such an exciting read

[Fred Selwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up at a small independent bookshop in Scotland whilst on holiday, and I was so glad I did. Great set of characters with interweaving stories, from the third chapter onwards I flew through it.